Lake Lila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Lila |
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Lake Lila, from Mount Frederica
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 Lake Lila
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Lake Lila
Location in the United States
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| Location | Adirondacks, Hamilton County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°00′10″N 74°45′15″W / 44.0026512°N 74.7541822°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | Shingle Shanty Brook |
| Primary outflows | Beaver River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2.6 mi (4.2 km) |
| Max. width | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 1,436-acre (5.81 km2) |
| Average depth | 15 feet (4.6 m) |
| Max. depth | 64 feet (20 m) |
| Shore length1 | 8.8 miles (14.2 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,716 ft (523 m) |
| Islands | 6 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Lila is a beautiful, remote lake located in the Adirondack Park in New York. It covers about 1,436 acres (5.81 km2) and is part of the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area. This area is known for its wild, untouched nature.
Getting to Lake Lila is an adventure! You have to travel about 6-mile (9.7 km) on a dirt road. Once you arrive, you can only launch boats by hand. This means no big motorboats, jetskis, or even floatplanes are allowed on the lake. This helps keep the lake quiet and peaceful.
Lake Lila is special because its entire shoreline is owned by the state. This makes it the largest lake in the Adirondack Park that is completely public. It is also one of only five large lakes in the park where motorized boats are not allowed. This rule helps protect the lake's natural beauty and wildlife.
The lake is fed by a stream called Shingle Shanty Brook. Its water then flows out into the Beaver River. Nearby, you can see Mount Frederica, which stands tall at 2,220-foot (680 m).
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Camping and Outdoor Fun
Lake Lila is a great place for outdoor activities. There are 24 simple campsites around the lake. Most of these, 18 to be exact, can only be reached by boat. This adds to the feeling of being truly out in nature.
Fish and Wildlife
Lake Lila is home to many different kinds of fish. You might find smallmouth bass, lake trout, yellow perch, and brown bullhead. Sometimes, you can even spot a few landlocked salmon and brook trout. The lake's clear, quiet waters are perfect for these fish to thrive.
History of Lake Lila
Lake Lila has an interesting past. It was originally known as Smith Lake.
How Lake Lila Got Its Name
A man named William Seward Webb bought a huge area of land, about 115,000 acres (470 km2), to create a private preserve. He called this area Nehasane Park. Webb built a large, fancy lodge called Forest Lodge on the western shore of Smith Lake. He then renamed the lake after his wife, Lila.
Becoming a Wilderness Area
In 1979, the state of New York bought about 7,200 acres (29 km2) of Nehasane Park, including Lake Lila. The Webb family asked the state to tear down Forest Lodge as part of the deal. The old railway station that once served the lodge is still there today.
The area around Lake Lila was first called the Lake Lila Primitive Area. Later, in 1997, it became part of the larger William C. Whitney Wilderness Area. The old railroad tracks are now used as a path called the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor.
