Lake George (Adirondack) in New York

Trip Overview

Lake George is a medium-sized glacial lake within New York's Adirondack Park. The water is clean and clear, and you can see to depths approaching twenty feet. Near the shore, you will notice the shear rock ledges where the glaciers formed the lake, giant boulders under the water, and then a drop-off into the abyss. Even in the summer, the lake is cool and refreshing for a swim.

There are several options for put-ins in Lake George Village and nearby Bolton's Landing. On this day, I put in at the abandoned beach, just east of Fort William Henry, in Lake George Village. I pulled off to the side of the road and unloaded my kayak and drove to the municipal lot, less than 1/2 mile up the road.

As I paddled northward, I heard the steam whistles of the three large tour boats that operate out of Lake George Village, and the occasional musket fire from Fort William Henry demonstrations. As I paddled along the shoreline for about two miles and turned to face the village, I was struck by the beauty of the mountains.

Accommodations:

Municipal parking and meter parking in Lake George Village. Bring quarters. Lake George Village has a wide variety of accommodations including restaurants and hotels. Camping is available in the area.

Directions:

From Albany, NY, take I-87 North to Exit 21. Follow the signs and Route 9/9N to Lake George Village. In the village, take a right on Beach Rd.

Resources:

There is a map and advertising on www.lakegeorge.com. There are several good guide books on the Adirondack Park including paddling, hiking, and camping.