Natural Things to do in the Adirondacks, New York
Natural Things to do in the Adirondacks, New York
Sparkling lakes… majestic mountains… rushing streams. Nature takes center stage where you’re never more than a few minutes away from unspoiled wilderness. Whether your taste runs to the serene or the extreme, you’ll find that the Lake George Region is the perfect place to get close to nature.
Lake George is not only one of the world’s most exquisite bodies of water, it’s also conveniently located within an easy drive of many other natural attractions. Many visitors take advantage of this fact by using Lake George as a “base camp” for day excursions to other sites in the Adirondacks. Staying in Lake George puts the Adirondacks right at your feet; the only hard part is finding time to explore all the wonders the area has to offer. In the Lake George Region, there’s literally something for everyone.
Want to take a ride on the wild side? For wet thrills, nothing beats a whitewater rafting excursion. The highest waters and most thrilling rapids are found in the spring, but rafting is available through the fall. The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce has a free pamphlet listing whitewater outfitters and the various trips they offer. All outfitters provide equipment and experienced guides to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. In the dog days of summer, these same outfitters can set you up with tubes for a relaxing float down the Hudson River.
With an abundance of rivers that cut through the wilderness, canoeists and kayakers will find much to like in the Lake George Region. Warren County offers 14 access sites on the Hudson and Schroon Rivers.
It’s easy to explore the area on land as well. For an afternoon hike that starts right in Lake George Village, take the trail to the summit of Prospect Mountain. You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Lake George. Not enough time for a hike? Take a 10-minute drive up the Prospect Mountain Veterans’ Memorial Highway. At the parking lot near the top, a shuttle transports you to the summit for the famous “100-Mile View.” Bring a picnic lunch and linger awhile in this gorgeous spot.
Classified as a Forever Wild Forest area, the east side of Lake George is a great hiking area. Extensive networks of trails take hikers through mountains, ponds, forests and lake views. The Buck Mountain Trail from Pilot Knob, a 6.6 mile round trip rewards the hiker with breathtaking views of Lake George from its open rock peak.
Ready to meet the Adirondacks face-to-face? Some of New York state’s best rock climbing is right here. At the north end of Lake George, Rogers Rock rises straight out of the lake with eight or nine routes of moderate grade ranging from 200-400 feet high. The site is best approached by canoe. For a more isolated wilderness experience, try Pharoah Mountain at the north end of Schroon Lake. Guidebooks and maps related to rock climbing and hiking can be obtained from the Adirondack Mountain Club in Lake George.
If a tamer experience is more to your liking, take a walk on one of the area’s nature trails. In Bolton Landing, the Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center offers self-guided nature trails that include a butterfly garden, a working beehive and views of Lake George.
In nearby Warrensburg, there is the Warren County Nature Trail System with novice to moderate trails, overlooking the Hudson River. Further south on the river is the Hudson River Recreation Area in Lake Luzerne, with trails suitable for walkers and bikers of all ages and abilities.
An interesting and unusual activity to enjoy during your stay on Lake George is the “Floating Classroom” offered by the Lake George Association, the oldest lake-protective association in the country. They offer a two-hour trip out onto the lake in a 50-passenger commercial vessel to learn about the lake’s geological beginnings, its biological and chemical functions, and how to avoid pollution of this great resource. You will view the forested mountainsides as not only beautiful scenery but as the geographical and biological conditions primarily responsible for the lake’s clean, clear water. The LGA offers these trips for groups of 15 to 25 participants on most weekdays during June, July, and August, rain or shine. Adults and children alike enjoy and learn from this experience. It may be the event you remember the most about your vacation in Lake George.
While exploring the Lake George Region, you’re likely to spot some interesting bird species. Walk down the Prospect Mountain trail into the woodland and you may see scarlet tanagers, orioles and various woodland thrushes. To find wetland birds, try the area by Fort George Park in the Village, where early in the day it’s possible to spot herons, ducks and maybe some rails. On the east side of the lake, drive up Lockhart Mountain Road to Top of the World, where you may observe grouse and wild turkeys.
Looking for a different perspective? Saddle up and explore the area’s natural beauty on horseback. There are several riding stables and dude ranches in Lake George, Lake Luzerne and Warrensburg, where guides will lead you and your horse up mountains and through cool streams.
For the ultimate view of the Lake George Region, take a hot air balloon ride. As anyone who has ever flown in a balloon over Lake George will attest, it’s an experience you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
To really experience the beauty of Lake George, however, you need to get out on the lake itself. Learn how to sail on a 22-foot sloop at a sailing school on Lake George. When you graduate, you can rent one of several different sized sailboats right from a marina.
For a unique picnic experience, take a boat (your own or a rental) out to one of Lake George’s many islands. Speaker Heck Island has day use sites, while in the Narrows there are several more sites for an island picnic. Permits to picnic on the islands are obtained at the Ranger’s Stations on Long Island, Glen Island, and Narrow Island. For a map of the islands, contact the Chamber of Commerce.
Winter transforms the area into a wonderland of snow and ice, and mountain snows make Lake George the perfect spot for snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Whether you’re seeking your own mountain to climb or a close encounter with Adirondack wildlife, you’ll find everything you ever imagined… and much, much, more in the Lake George Region. |
