Mirror Lake

  • 49 Parkside Drive, Lake Placid

Fish Species

Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Small Mouth Bass

Lake Placid is a village in the mountains, and few things make that more evident than Mirror Lake. Its sparkling water beckons from behind the downtown buildings, loons float alongside paddlers, and standing on the lake’s shore reveals stunning panoramic views of the High Peaks. And like any good Adirondack lake, there are a number of ways to enjoy it year round. We’re talking paddling, swimming, fishing, and a whole slate of different activities in winter. There’s even a free weekly concert series called Songs at Mirror Lake in the summer, which takes place right on the shore in Mid’s Park, so you can find a spot on the terraced lawn or paddle up in a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard for the best seat in the house!

Mirror Lake in summer

Walk or run

A 2.7 mile route around Mirror Lake in the center of Lake Placid. This is a flat, scenic loop that's perfect for as many laps as you like. You will be sure to pass runners, walkers, and cyclists on Lake Placid’s iconic “Central Park” route.

Paddle

Canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard, or aqua bike across this gorgeous 128-acre, one-mile long lake. Electric motorboats are also permitted — gas powered motors are not allowed. Note that this is a hand launch site, so boats must be hand-carried at least 50 yards to the water.

Mirror Lake is used for the swimming portion of the Ironman Triathlon, so it will be off-limits on race day.

Where to launch: There are two places to hand launch onto Mirror Lake: From the park near the town beach and from the state DEC boat dock on the northern shore. From the intersection of Route 73 and Route 86 in Lake Placid, follow Route 86 toward Main Street in Lake Placid and take a right at the town hall onto Mirror Lake Drive. The park is on the left, but finding a parking spot can be a challenge here. To get to the DEC boat launch, continue past the park and look for the large wooden sign.

Swim

Located right off of downtown Lake Placid, the Lake Placid Public Beach is a summer lover's dream come true. Situated on the south end of Mirror Lake, the sandy beach has a pier and a launch site for canoes or kayaks. There's also a changing facility, tennis courts, and playground.

Every July, the Lake Placid Public Beach is an ideal place to watch Fourth of July fireworks and to witness the beginning of the Ironman Lake Placid triathlon. The competition begins with an early-morning, 2.4-mile swim that ends at the beach.