Lake Colden is a 41 acres (16.6 ha) lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 located in the Adirondack High Peaks in New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, USA. Lake Colden sits at 2764 feet (842 meters) at the western base of 4,714-foot (1,437 m) Mount Colden

Mount Colden

Mount Colden is the eleventh highest peak in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA.The peak is named after David S. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works, in 1836. The peak was briefly renamed "Mount McMartin" the next year, but the older name persisted...

. To the northwest lie the MacIntyre Mountains

MacIntyre Mountains

The MacIntyre Mountains or MacIntyre Range is a range of mountains in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks, due west of Mount Marcy, in northeastern New York State. The range runs from southwest to northeast...

— 5,115-foot (1,559 m) Algonquin Peak

Algonquin Peak

Algonquin Peak is in the MacIntyre Range in the town of North Elba, in Essex County, New York. It is the second highest mountain in New York, and one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks in Adirondack Park...

 (the second highest mountain in the state), 4829-foot (1472 meter) Boundary Peak, 4,843-foot (1,476 meter) Iroquois Peak

Iroquois Peak

Iroquois Peak is 8th highest peak in the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, and is the southernmost peak of the MacIntyre Range, which also includes Wright Peak and Algonquin Peak. Although the mountain does not have an officially maintained trail, a well maintained "herd path" leads to the...

 and 4,380-foot (1,335 meters) Mount Marshall

Mount Marshall (New York)

Mount Marshall is a mountain located in Essex County, New York.Originally named for Governor DeWitt Clinton, and then for Herbert Clark, it was renamed for wilderness activist Bob Marshall after his death. Marshall is part of the MacIntyre Mountains...

. Mount Marcy

Mount Marcy

Mount Marcy is the highest point in New York State, with an elevation of . It is a popular destination for hikers due to its stature and great views, and the peak can get very crowded in the summer months...

 is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to the east. Lake Colden is fed by Avalanche Lake, to the northeast and in turn feeds Flowed Lands, to the southwest.

Being in the heart of the High Peaks, the area is very popular with hikers. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for the conservation, improvement, and protection of natural resources within the U.S. state of New York. It was founded in 1970, replacing the previous Conservation Department...

 maintains an Interior Outpost on the western shore. There are a number of campsites and lean-to

Lean-to

A lean-to is a term used to describe a roof with a single slope. The term also applies to a variety of structures that are built using a lean-to roof....

s in the area.

Lake Colden was named after David C. Colden in 1836; Colden was an investor in the Tahawus iron works of Archibald MacIntyre.