Camping opportunities in the Lake George region abound: everything from primitive tent camping on one of the many lake islands to sites in recreational vehicle parks with luxury amenities is available.
“Each campground has its own vibe,” said Jerry Lucia, a conservation operations supervisor for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Lucia, with headquarters on Green Island in Bolton Landing, and his staff are responsible for the state-owned campsites around the lake as well as those on more than 100 islands in the lake.
For example, people pitching their tents or locating their pop-up trailers in the Battleground campground with 68 campsites off Beach Road at the southern end of the lake tend to come for short stays and visit the nearby village of Lake George.
But campers at the state’s Roger’s Rock campground off Route 9N (Lake Shore Drive) in Hague, six miles south of Ticonderoga, tend to stay longer and enjoy the wooded, secluded location, according to Lucia. Rogers Rock features 325 campsites.
At Rogers Rock, the campers often visit the rock ledges above the lake or rent one of the 35 kayaks the state offers and explore the shoreline.
“There is less boat traffic (at Rogers Rock) than the Glen Island group” closer to Lake George village making it safer for kayaking, Lucia said.
The Hearthstone Point state campground with 251 campsites on Route 9N just 10 minutes north of Lake George village has “mellowed” over the past 10 to 15 years, Lucia said.
Back in the 1980s and early 1990s the campers at Hearthstone sometimes became “rowdy” and law enforcement was called in, he said.
“The last ten years (Hearthstone) has become more mellow and the volume reduced,” Lucia said.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the crowd at Hearthstone was younger and underage drinking was common. Now the campers are older and more family-oriented.
PROVIDED BY NYS DEC
Camping on Lake George.
The state DEC also is responsible for the campsites on the three island groups on the 32-mile-long lake.
“You have to have a boat or water taxi services,” Lucia said about the island camping.
The island groups include Glen Island (150 campsites), the Narrows group (about 70 campsites) and the Long Island group (88 campsites). Some of the smaller islands only have one or two campsites on them while some of the larger islands can accommodate 20 campsites.
There are 384 dock slips on the nearly 100 islands where camping is allowed. The island camping is a rustic experience with outhouses, some of which have pump-out tanks to protect the lake waters.
Lucia said day use of the islands is also very popular. As many as 1,500 people will register for day use on busy summer weekends in July and August.
The island campers need to carry out any garbage they may have and place it in DEC recycling centers on shore. At the on-shore campgrounds, any recreational vehicle must be self-contained but some have sewage pump-out stations. At the Battleground campground, for example, generators are allowed but can only be operated at certain times in the morning and afternoons.
Cost of renting a campsite ranges from $22 per night on shore to $28 on the islands. People can reserve a campsite by going to newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com or calling 1-800-456-CAMP (2267).
Some campsites are booked far in advance, especially the islands. But Lucia said, “it’s never too late, check for availability, there are cancellations.”
Private campgrounds
There are also private campgrounds around the lake offering a variety of camping experiences. The Lake George RV Park on Route 149 just south of Lake George has been owned and operated for many years by the King family.
The 120-acre plus RV park caters to recreational vehicles only and has 372 full-service sites for RVs. The park also has a limited number of camping lodge units.
The park has air-conditioned movie theaters, on-site live entertainment in the French Mountain Playhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, paddle boats, fishing pond for children, a 5,000-square-foot bingo pavilion and trolley service in the park and outside the park to the nearby shopping outlets on Route 9.
More: Your guide to summer on Lake George
- Exploring Lake George region on two wheels
- Four great side trips around Lake George to add to your summer stay
- Parasailing offers thrills and spectacular views of Lake George
- Soaring and speeding among the Lake George treetops
- Countless ways to see the Adirondacks’ essential lake
Gary Thornquist, the park’s general manager, said last year the park completed a new water feature called Cascade Cove that features 32 interactive spray stations and a large water dumping bucket. The project also includes a very large hot tub that holds 38 people and a zero-entry outdoor pool.
He said reservations for this camping season have increased as compared to the 2018 season.
“Business is good. The rain has been challenging but we had an excellent Memorial Day,” Thornquist said.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lake George RV Park on Route 149.
Rates at the Lake George RV Park are $119 per night during the summer, all amenities included, but increase to $129 per night for peak summer holiday weekends. On spring and fall weekends the rates drop to $76 per night. For more information check the park website at lakegeorgervpark.com.
Another family-owned private campground is Adirondack Camping Village on Finkle Road in Lake George three miles from Lake George village. This campground offers everything from two-person tent campsites to RV sites, camping cabins, and lean-tos.
Some sites have no hookups but central water and modern bathroom bathing facilities throughout the park. The park has an outdoor pool and other amenities.
Sites with no hookups are $48 per night and those sites with full water, electricity and cable television hook-ups are $55 in the summer with reduced pricing during off-peak times of the year. For more information check the park website at adirondackcampingvillage.com.
King Phillip’s Campground on Bloody Pond Road off Route 9 less than two miles south of the village is another popular destination for campers. The campground offers camping sites for tents, pop-up camping trailers and full-size recreational vehicles. The park has individual shower facilities, swimming pool, laundromat and other amenities.
The campground is just 200 feet from the Warren County Bicycle Trail. Rates are $32 to $39 per night for water-only campsites and $49 to $62 for electricity and cable hook-up sites for RVs. For more information check the website at kingphillipscampground.com.
More: Your guide to summer on Lake George
- Exploring Lake George region on two wheels
- Four great side trips around Lake George to add to your summer stay
- Parasailing offers thrills and spectacular views of Lake George
- Soaring and speeding among the Lake George treetops
- Countless ways to see the Adirondacks’ essential lake
GAZETTE COVERAGE
Ensure access to everything we do, today and every day, check out our subscribe page at DailyGazette.com/SubscribeMore from The Daily Gazette:
Mohonasen students celebrate win at Olympics of the Visual Arts; Designed new waitress uniform
Simone's Kitchen wins Schenectady's first-ever Tater Trot, event already set to return in 2024
Capital Pride Singers show to kick off Pride Month in Schenectady
Glove Theatre set to receive historic marker
In & Out of the Kitchen: A foolproof method for barbecuing ribs
Categories: Life and Arts
5 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Lake George is so great place in the world for camping and visitors. Thanks for sharing this great article.
Camping has always been an interesting hobby for the people and especially when it’s going to be in Lake George. But while camping the tools like Survival Machete must be accompanyined.
Thanks for sharing this great article. I am a tourist from the United States I Will definitely go there. Lake George is so great place in the world for camping and visitors.
I appreciate you sharing this article with us. I am a U.S. tourist, so I plan to go there soon. It is a wonderful place for camping and vacationing.
In this post, I found accurate information on that topic which is always quality content for me. Great job!