NY 30 crosses at a narrows 4 miles (6.4 km) from the south end where the hamlet of Long Lake is located.

The lake is also part of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which begins in Old Forge, NY and ends in Fort Kent, ME.

[2] Settled by the 1830s, Long Lake was isolated, except by water, until the New York Central Railroad extended a spur to Sabbatis at the north town line.

The area was frequented by sportsmen and tourists, and the earliest settlers were hunting guides and boat builders.

At that time, "a typical trip might start at the Saranacs, from which a party could make its way to the Raquette River via Indian Carry and Stoney Creek.