It is in the New York State Forest Preserve Five Ponds Wilderness Area, 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Tupper Lake.

The Adirondack Park Agency classifies the lake as a Primitive Area[2] meaning that it is wilderness in character, but contains artificial structures and private lands.

These were part of Low's commercial enterprise which included railways connecting the area with New York City, and the production of maple syrup and lumber.

Access is via a short gravel road off New York State Route 421 to Lows Lower Dam where small craft can be hand launched.

[6] The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation prohibits mechanically propelled boats between the upper and lower dams.

Graves Mountain, 2,300 feet (700 m), is named after a 19th-century hunter from Tupper Lake; its southern flank was eroded after the forest fire of 1906, exposing a large granite face; a survey marker is located at its peak.