Lake George New York: One of the Cleanest Lakes in the World

Traveling through the Adirondacks to Lake George in New York presents breathtaking views. Upon arrival, with plenty to do at Lake George, visitors can always add Adirondack adventures to their itineraries. Although Lake George is in the enormous Adirondack National Park, the Lake George region acts like its own unique haven.

US Route 9N follows Lake George’s western border and is the essential gateway to Lake George. I-87 Is the main interstate that runs out of NYC to Canada. Visitors from west of I-87 anywhere in the state need to connect with I-87 eventually to get to Lake George.

More roads run out of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that make it easier to connect with I-87. However, it is difficult to get to Lake George from Vermont. Few roads exist on the eastern side of Lake George that lead to the lake. Some of the campgrounds on the east require hiking or boating in.

What Lake George Is Known For?

History knows Lake George. For millenniums before Europeans found today’s Adirondack region, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois and Mohican) nations lived, traded, and traveled there. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the lake in 1609.

Lake George is called the “Queen of American Lakes”. Today, Lake George attracts visitors because of its pristine waters, abundant fish and wildlife, beaches, stupendous scenery, 170 islands, and waterfalls. The Town of Lake George is known for historic battlegrounds and became popular with tourists in the early 1900s.

French Jesuit missionary, Father Isaac Jogues explored Lake George in 1642. Father Joques called it Lac du Saint Sacrement, the Lake of the Blessed Sacrament. Sir William Johnson named the lake “Lake George” in 1755 for his King, George II of England.

Why Is Lake George so Famous?

Thomas Jefferson first explored Lake George in 1791, and then visited it to cure his migraines. His famous letter to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolf, about Lake George on his first visit, began with, “Lake George is without comparison the most beautiful water I ever saw:..”

To the native nations, Lake George was an intrinsic natural navigation system that ran south to north from the mouth of the Hudson River to Lake George, and onto Lake Champlain, the Richelieu River, and then to the St. Lawrence River. Lake George first became famous after the French and Indian War in the 1750s.

To the British and French forces vying for control of today’s eastern Canada and the U.S. in the mid-1700s, whom ever controlled this extensive waterway also dominated this vast region. The Lake George region then went on to play a critical role in the Revolutionary War. When the wars were over that made world headlines, Lake George became famous for tourists.

The Lake George Steamboat Company chartered in 1817 and began with essential supply runs. People at the time associated steamboats with evil, but the success of steamboats on Lake Champlain had eased the negative sentiments at Lake George. The Town of Lake George claims the title of “America’s First Vacation Spot.”

Lake George: Worth a Visit

The Queen of American Lakes is also known as the Jewel of the Adirondacks. Lake George is wildly popular for day trips and overnight stays with visitors and locals. The lake offers activities for families and people of all ages.

Six million annual visitors believe Lake George is worth the visit! The Lake George area stays busy from May through August, which attracts about five million of its yearly visitors. Activities abound off and on the water, summer and winter.

Besides Lake George’s iconic, scenic panoramas, and its summer and winter outdoor adventures, there are tons of exciting places to visit and more adventures to embark on.

Lake George Weather and Climate

Lake George summers bring warmth and sunshine with average temperatures in the mid-80s. Winters are mild and snowy, with temperatures rarely falling below 0°F. Temperatures range from 40°F to 70°F in spring and fall. Lake George, New York sees an average of 43 inches of rain and 63 inches of snow per year.

The Lake George region averages 176 sunny days per year and 128 days of precipitation per year. Precipitation falls in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. The most pleasant months at Lake George are July and August, and January and February are the coldest and least comfortable months.

Fishing Lake George

Anglers find fishing Lake George impressive. The best Lake George fishing is between spring through fall. Anglers fish from boats, kayaks, piers, and the shore. Lake George ranks as one of New York’s most popular bass fishing lake. Winter delivers ice fishing in the Adirondacks.

Other game species include brown bullhead, largemouth, rock, and smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, chain pickerel, northern pike, pumpkinseed, landlocked salmon, smelt, and lake trout. Lake George boasts almost 20 marinas. Boat charters, rentals, and tackle are available around the lake.

Lake George FAQ

Is Lake George in Vermont?

No, Lake George is entirely within New York State. It lies at the southeastern base of the Adirondack Mountains.

Is Lake George Considered Upstate New York?

Yes, New Yorkers consider the Adirondack Mountains and Lake George Upstate New York, along with Albany, Ballston Spa, Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady.

Is Lake George the Cleanest Lake in the US?

A-Z Animals ranked Lake George, New York, number one of the top ten cleanest lakes in the U.S. A-Z Animals is one of the most credible and extensive online animal encyclopedias, which also covers natural environmental treasures.

Dozens of mountain streams feed Lake George. Lake George is a headwater lake. Headwater lakes are the source and upper reaches of a stream or the upper reaches of a reservoir. Lake George’s surrounding mountains form a watershed with steep slopes with little flat land, so its forested watershed does not create or produce much pollution.

How Deep Is Lake George?

Lake George’s maximum depth is 196 feet, with an average depth of 70 feet.

How Long Is Lake George?

Lake George is 32-miles long and 2.5 miles wide at its widest point.

Are There Electric Charging Stations at Lake George?

Most electric car charging stations at Lake George wrap around the southern end of the lake and in the Town of Lake George. The following is a list of towns around Lake George with charging stations from the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB:

Town of Lake George:

4 Skycharger stations
11 ChargePoint stations
3 Tesla Destination stations
1 EV Connect station
1 Living Energy station

Glens Falls:

7 ChargePoint stations
1 EV Connect station

North Creek/Bolton:

4 Charge Point stations
1 Tesla Destination station
EV Connect station

Queensbury:

5 ChargePoint stations
3 Tesla Destination station
1 Tesla Supercharger station
1 EV Connect station

Warrensburg:

1 at the Warrensburg Carwash

Can I Visit Lake George with My Dog?

Technobark ranked Lake George one of the top 10 dog-friendly locations in North America after researching 300 places. Most Lake George area campsites, hiking trails, parks, lodging establishments, and restaurants, if not all, require dogs on leashes or well-behaved dogs on leashes. The Lake George region also hosts dog-centered events throughout the year.

Dog Friendly Restaurants:

Bolton Landing:

The Algonquin Restaurant
Bear’s Cup
Bolton Landing Brewing Company
Frederick’s Restaurant
The Shack

Glens Falls:

Cooper’s Cave Ale Company
Davidson Brothers Restaurant Brewery
Downtown Social
Rob & Deb’s Frozen Dreams
Spot Coffee

Lake George:

163 Taproom
Adirondack Pub & Brewery
A&W All American Food
Bank Cafe
Biscotti Brothers Cafe
The Breakfast Spot
Christie’s on the Lake
The Docksider Restaurant
The Garrison
The Lagoon
Lake George Beach Club
The Lobster Pot
Mezzaluna’s Restaurant & Pizzeria

Queensbury:

Adirondack Winery Queensbury Tasting Room
Martha’s Dandee Creme
Kelly’s Roots Cafe & Marketplace

How Do I Reserve an Island Campsite on Lake George?

The only way to reserve a campsite on a Lake George Island is to go through ReserveAmerica either online or by the phone number listed on the ReserveAmerica website. The Lake George island reservations open in November for the following summer, so you have to make reservations early.

Visitors can also book one of the day-use sites in advance. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) owns 44 Lake George islands with 387 campsites. Most campsites are well forested and private. All sites have a dock for one boat, a fireplace, a picnic table, and a toilet facility. The cruiser sites provide a charcoal burner and privy:

Narrow Island Group (Mother Bunch Group): 85 sites
Glen Island Group (The Narrows): 170 sites and 42 cruiser sites. 25 sites in the Glen Island Group are located on the mainland but are accessible by boat only.
Long Island: 90 sites, with 42 cruiser sites for large boats with sleeping quarters.

Things to Do at Lake George

Outdoor activities come alive year-round in the Lake George Area. Ski resorts, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice fishing offer wintertime fun and sparkling beauty. Add that to the spring flora and fauna awakening to the warm sun and melting snow, the summertime charm, and that equals a super popular vacation destination at Lake George anytime.

Bolton Landing

Adirondack Extreme Treetop & Zipline Park
Lake George Kayak Company
Bolton Landing Brewing Company
Boating With Bob: Customizable Boat Tours

Fort Ann

North Country Heli-Flight

Glens Falls

Adirondack Theatre Festival
Adirondack Salt Cave
Hyde Collection-European and American Art

Hadley

Mountain ATV Ridin’
Sacandaga Outdoor Center

Lake George

Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery Lake George Tasting Room
Factory Outlets of Lake George
Lake George Dinner Theatre
Lake George Kayak Company
Lake George Steamboat Company
Lake George Waterfront Cruises
Ledge Rock Hill Winery And Vineyard
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
Springbrook Farm Winery And Distillery
The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park: Performing Arts, Concerts, Re-Enactments, Craft Fairs, Flea Markets, Farmers Markets, etc.
The Lake George Electric Bike Company