Lake George
**Photo Courtesy of Wendy Davis Real Estate
About Lake George
Location & Geography: Lake George lies in northeastern New York in the southeastern corner of the Adirondack Park. The 32-mile-long lake stretches from the Village of Lake George at the southern end to Ticonderoga at the north, with communities such as Bolton Landing, Hague, and Queensbury around its forested shores. Steep Adirondack slopes, over 100 islands, and narrow sections like “The Narrows” give the lake its iconic, fjord-like appearance.
Water, Depth & Clarity: Lake George covers about 28,170 acres (roughly 45 square miles) with an average depth of about 70 feet and a maximum depth of approximately 196 feet. Its surface elevation is about 320 feet above sea level. Fed by cold, clear mountain streams and draining north to Lake Champlain via the LaChute River at Ticonderoga, the lake is classified as AA-Special, New York State’s highest surface water quality class, supporting outstanding clarity and high-quality recreation.
Key Features
Quick facts (at-a-glance)
- Location: Lake George & surrounding towns, Warren / Essex / Washington Counties, New York
- Surface Area: 28,170 acres (45 square miles)
- Maximum Depth: 196 feet
- Shoreline Length: 176 miles (including bays and islands)
- Elevation: 320 feet above sea level (approximate)
- Type: Natural glacial lake in the Adirondack Park
- Fish Species: Lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, rainbow smelt, panfish and others
- Average Summer Temp: Upper 60s to low 70s °F typical mid-summer surface water range (19–23 °C)
- Public Access: NYS DEC launches at Million Dollar Beach, Mossy Point and Rogers Rock plus village docks and numerous marinas
- Nearby Attractions: Fort William Henry Museum, Lake George Battlefield Park, Prospect Mountain Highway, Shelving Rock Falls, village of Lake George and Bolton Landing
Lake George Vacation Homes For Rent
What you can do there
Swimming: Cool off in the clear water at designated public beaches such as Lake George Beach (commonly called Million Dollar Beach) on the south shore, Shepard Park Beach in the village, and the guarded swimming area at Rogers Rock Campground near the northern end. These areas provide sandy shorelines, lifeguards in season, and convenient facilities for families.
Boating & Cruising: Lake George is a premier boating destination, with calm bays, island groups, and open stretches suited to pontoons, runabouts, sailboats, and personal watercraft. Visitors enjoy sightseeing cruises, sunset tours, and longer excursions that trace the lake’s full 32-mile length, with well-marked channels and navigation aids throughout the basin.
Fishing: Anglers can pursue a two-story fishery that includes cold-water species like lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon in deep water and warm-water species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and panfish along shallow shorelines. Spring and fall trolling, summer bass fishing, and winter ice angling all draw dedicated fishermen.
Hiking & Scenic Views: The region features a range of trails with lake overlooks, including the Prospect Mountain summit trail and highway access, as well as the Shelving Rock Mountain and Falls hikes on the eastern shore. These routes offer panoramic views of Lake George, the Adirondack High Peaks, and distant mountain ranges on clear days.
Island Picnicking & Camping: State-managed island groups such as the Glen Island and Long Island clusters provide reservable picnic and camping sites accessible only by boat. Many sites include picnic tables, fireplaces, and shoreline access, allowing visitors to spend the day or night immersed in the lake’s quieter coves and wooded shorelines.
Paddling & Quiet Coves: Kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders can explore sheltered bays, inlets, and channels among the islands, especially in areas away from heavy motorboat traffic. Early mornings and weekdays are particularly well-suited to quiet paddling, wildlife watching, and photography along the forested shoreline.
Winter Recreation: In colder months, conditions permitting, the Lake George area supports activities such as ice fishing, winter hiking, and events associated with the Lake George Winter Carnival. The same shoreline that hosts summer boating transitions into a winter landscape with snow-covered mountains and frozen bays.
History & Culture: Visitors can explore regional history at the Fort William Henry Museum on the southern shore and at Lake George Battlefield Park, where French and Indian War and Revolutionary War sites are interpreted. The village hosts museums, shops, dining, and seasonal festivals that complement on-the-water activity.
Access, marinas & ramps
Lake George Beach (Million Dollar Beach) Boat Launch: On the southern shore in the Village of Lake George, this NYS DEC facility provides a hard-surface ramp, seasonal parking for boats and trailers, and an adjacent swimming beach and day-use area. A public boat inspection station and wash station operate here to help protect the lake from aquatic invasive species.
Mossy Point Boat Launch (Ticonderoga): Near the north end of the lake, the DEC-managed Mossy Point Boat Launch on Black Point Road offers a large hard-surface ramp with parking for many cars and trailers and a pumpout station. It provides convenient access to the quieter northern basin and the outlet toward Ticonderoga.
Rogers Rock Campground & Day Use Area: At the northern shoreline near Hague, Rogers Rock includes a DEC campground with a boat launch, mooring buoys, a guarded beach, and day-use facilities. It serves as a popular base for boating, swimming, and exploring the northern reaches of Lake George.
Village Public Docks & Marinas: In Lake George Village, public docks provide short-term docking with metered parking, while numerous marinas around the lake—such as those in the village, Diamond Point, Bolton Landing, and Hague—offer rentals, slips, fuel, and service. These facilities support everything from small runabouts to larger cruising vessels.
Boat Inspection & AIS Checkpoints: The Lake George Park Commission operates a comprehensive inspection program requiring all trailered boats to be inspected and, if needed, decontaminated before launching. Inspection stations are located at Million Dollar Beach, Dunham’s Bay, Norowal Marina in Bolton Landing, Mossy Point, and Rogers Rock, and boats receive a Vessel Inspection Control Seal for launch clearance.
Road Access & Parking: Lake George is accessible via the Adirondack Northway (I-87) with exits leading directly into the Village of Lake George and nearby communities. Public parking lots and roadside access points around the lake connect to beaches, parks, trailheads, and marinas, though parking may be limited during peak summer and event weekends.
Private Launches & Resorts: Many lakeside resorts, campgrounds, and marinas maintain private ramps and docking for guests. Some offer boat rentals, guided fishing services, and charter cruises, providing a variety of options even if you do not bring your own vessel to the lake.
Island & Campground Access: State-run island campsites and shoreline campgrounds, such as Glen Island, Long Island, and various DEC campgrounds, require reservations and appropriate permits. Access is typically by private boat, rental, or water taxi, and boaters must use designated docks and moorings when visiting these facilities.
Safety & regulations
- Boating Inspection: All trailered boats must be inspected and, if necessary, decontaminated at official Lake George Aquatic Invasive Species inspection stations before launching.
- Vessel Control Seal: Boats launching from public and many private ramps are required to display a Vessel Inspection Control Seal verifying inspection compliance.
- Speed Limits & No-Wake Zones: Standard rules include low speeds near shore, docks, or anchored vessels and posted no-wake zones, with higher limits in open areas where permitted.
- Life Jackets: U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation devices are required onboard for all passengers, and children under 12 must wear a life jacket while on deck of most recreational vessels.
- Boating Safety Certificates: New York’s boating safety laws phase in requirements so that most motorboat operators must complete an approved boating safety course and carry a boating safety certificate.
- Fishing Regulations: Anglers must hold a valid New York State fishing license and follow DEC regulations on seasons, size limits, and daily creel limits for species such as lake trout, salmon, bass, and pike.
- Swimming Rules: Swimming is allowed only in designated areas, typically when lifeguards are on duty, with additional rules regarding weather, glass containers, alcohol, tobacco, and pets at state-run beaches.
- Environmental Protection: Visitors are encouraged to minimize fertilizer use, maintain septic systems, avoid dumping waste water, and follow “clean, drain, dry” practices to protect Lake George’s high water quality.
- Weather & Ice Safety: Boaters and winter users should monitor changing Adirondack weather, be cautious of sudden winds on the long, narrow lake, and verify ice conditions locally before venturing onto frozen surfaces.
Gallery
Nearby highlights & suggested day trips
- Lake George Village: The compact village at the south end of the lake offers restaurants, shops, arcades, and lakefront parks, all within walking distance of the main beach and public docks. It serves as a convenient base for boat tours, events, and family activities.
- Fort William Henry Museum: This reconstructed 18th-century fort overlooks the southern shore and interprets the French and Indian War history of the region. Exhibits, guided tours, and demonstrations connect visitors with the events that once shaped the Lake George corridor.
- Lake George Battlefield Park & Day Use Area: Just south of the village, this park preserves key battle sites from the mid-1700s and offers green space for walking, picnicking, and learning about the area’s military heritage through monuments and interpretive features.
- Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway: A scenic highway climbs from near Lake George Village to a summit with overlooks and far-reaching views of the lake, Adirondacks, and distant mountain ranges. A short path or shuttle from the upper lot leads to the very top.
- Shelving Rock Falls & Eastern Shore Trails: On the lake’s eastern side, trails lead along Shelving Rock Falls and up to Shelving Rock Mountain, offering relatively easy hikes to waterfalls and viewpoints above the lake, with access to quiet shoreline stretches.
- Bolton Landing: North of the village, Bolton Landing combines public beaches, marinas, and lakeside dining with access to the central island groups. It is a popular starting point for boating, swimming, and exploring mid-lake coves and islands.
- Island Groups & Picnic Sites: Glen Island, Long Island, and nearby island clusters in the middle of the lake provide boat-access-only picnic and camping sites. Reservable sites and day-use stops allow for full-day outings on the water with shaded, wooded shorelines.
- Rogers Rock & Hague: The northern lake communities and Rogers Rock area offer quieter campgrounds, beaches, and trail access, along with scenic views of the lake’s narrower northern basin and the LaChute outlet toward Lake Champlain.
- Fort Ticonderoga: A short drive from the lake’s northern end, this historic fortification overlooks Lake Champlain and presents exhibits, reenactments, and gardens. It pairs well with a day exploring the northern reaches of Lake George and Mossy Point.
- Regional Adirondack Adventures: Within a reasonable drive are additional Adirondack attractions, including mountain hikes, ski areas, scenic byways, and other lakes and rivers, making Lake George a convenient hub for broader day trips.
Events & community
Local Organizations & Stewardship: Lake George is supported by active groups such as the Lake George Association, one of the nation’s oldest lake conservation organizations, and the Lake George Park Commission, which oversees boating and resource protection. These organizations, along with community partners, sponsor educational programs, water quality monitoring, and invasive species prevention to help maintain the lake’s clarity.
Festivals, Rallies & Seasonal Events: The area hosts well-known events including the Lake George Winter Carnival in February, the Americade motorcycle touring rally in early summer, and the Adirondack Nationals Car Show in September. Combined with fireworks displays, boat parades, charity plunges, and village festivals, these gatherings contribute to a vibrant, tourism-focused community centered on the lake.
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