Outdoor Activities In The Adirondacks

The Adirondack Park is a 6 million acre patchwork of private and public lands and contains the largest Wilderness Areas in the East.  The Georgian and the Lake George Region are located in the Southern Adirondacks near many great hiking trails, nature areas and wilderness.

The mountains surrounding Lake George offer short hikes with stunning views of Lake George and the surrounding area.  Look on the Adirondack Mountain Club website (click on any Eastern Region hikes for trips in the Lake George area) .
Two great hikes are Prospect Mountain and Buck Mt.
Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail: This red-marked 1-5/8 mile trail leads to summit of Prospect Mountain. To reach the trail from Lake George Village, turn west on Montcalm Street (away from lake) to Smith Street; turn south 1/2 block to trail head sign. Trail crosses 1-87 on an elevated walkway. The climb to the summit is not difficult. One part of the trail follows the road bed of an old funicular railway that served a once-thriving summer hotel on the mountain. Remains of both the mountain and the railroad still exist.  Prospect is also home to the Veteran’s Memorial Highway ($10/car, 10AM – 6PM, last ticket 6PM must leave by 6:45)
Buck Mountain: This is a longer hike, about 3.3 miles each way and the last 1/3 is fairly steep.  Total elevation gain is 2000 feet.  But, the woods are beautiful and the views from the summit are absolutely spectacular!  Directions to the trail head:  From routes 9/9N. Turn on to Route 9L.  You pass Cleverdale Road on your left after a few miles. Immediately after that, take a sharp left on Pilot Knob Road, and follow it to a well-marked parking lot to the trail head.  About mid July or so – the blueberry crop on the Buck Mt. Summit is huge!

Big mountain hikes in the famed High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks are about an hour’s drive from the Georgian.  More information about hikes in the High Peaks can be found here.

If the Adirondacks are famed for mountains a close second is the lakes, ponds, rivers and streams that dot the landscape.  Kayak and canoe adventures abound and rental boats are available through out the park.  On Lake George, The Lake George Kayak Company offers rentals and guided tours.  On the lower Hudson River, Beaver Brook Outfitters offers great canoe, kayak and tubing adventures with a shuttle service.

Nature abounds in the Adirondacks and a good source for nature and interpretive programs is The Floating Classroom run by the Lake George Association.  This is a great lake cruise and scientific exploration of Lake George, its water, and ecology.  Kids love it!

Another great nature program for kids is run by Warren County at their Up Yonda Farm in Bolton Landing.  Additional programs are run at The Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center in Newcomb, NY.  And although it is a little far to drive The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is fantastic (about 1 hr. 30 min).