14 Mar 5 Day Trips Accessible from Lake George Campsites in Queensbury, NY
If you limit your visit to the area to just the Town and Village of Lake George during your stay with us at Lake George Campsites, you’re missing out! There is so much to do and see beyond the Lake George region, and we are here to provide you with some suggestions for day trips that are easily accessible from our campgrounds.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is just 30 minutes south of Lake George Campsites and is bustling with tourists and activity, especially during track season at the historic Saratoga Race Course. But there’s so much more to do than catch a horse race or two (though we certainly recommend doing that).
If you are into vintage cars, stopping at the Saratoga Automobile Museum is a must. Located within Saratoga Spa State Park, the museum has rotating exhibits. They even have the official collection of original James Bond vehicles on display until November 2023! And if cars are not your thing, the National Museum of Dance is right down the road. The museum boasts a mix of permanent and rotating installations that relate to the history of dance.
A visit to Saratoga is incomplete without a stop at Saratoga Spa State Park and Yaddo Gardens. The state park is a National Historic Landmark that offers a multitude of recreational opportunities including a swimming pool, golf course, and miles and miles of hiking trails. Yaddo is an artist retreat, but the gardens are open to the public and are not to be missed, especially when the roses are in bloom.
North Creek
Located about 30 miles north of Lake George Campsites, North Creek is a haven for all outdoor enthusiasts and is most famously known for being the home of Gore Mountain. Though certainly most popular for skiing during winter, there is still plenty to do a Gore during spring and summer. You can ride the gondola, explore the hiking and biking trails, and tour Garnet Mines, one of the largest garnet deposits in the world.
Revolution Rail Co. is a newer attraction to the area and has become quite popular. The North Bridge Run takes riders on a 7-mile rail bike trip with spectacular views of the Hudson River. They also offer a rail bike and tubing combo trip during summer!
Do something completely out-of-the-box and try your hand at glassblowing at Gregory Tomb Glassblowing Studio. You can make a glass flower, paperweight, heart, mini cactus, or glass pumpkin! Choose from individual instruction or small group classes.
Albany
Albany is New York’s state capital and is only an hour’s drive south of Lake George.
The area is a mecca for museums that the whole family can enjoy. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve boasts 3,350 acres of geological, natural, and cultural history. The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center provides visitors with exhibits and activities. There are guided programs to see the over 20 miles of trails, or you can venture off on your own for hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, and mountain biking.
Be sure to check out miSci, the Museum of Innovation & Science. The museum hosts an extensive collection of artifacts, advertising publications, films, audio recordings, and photographs documenting the history of electricity, electronics, and the impact of technological change.
Travel down the scenic and historic Hudson River with Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours, or do some gambling at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady. With slot machines, table games, poker tables, restaurants, bars, and a spa, there’s something for everyone at Rivers.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is located in the northernmost part of Lake George, bordering Lake Champlain.
The area is best known for Fort Ticonderoga, a “major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and center for learning.” Fort Ticonderoga offers museum exhibitions, daily tours, live demonstrations and reenactments, a seasonal corn maze, and a 6-acre historic garden called King’s Garden.
You can hike or drive up Mount Defiance to enjoy a picnic with unforgettable views and learn how the summit shaped America’s history. If you visit Fort Ticonderoga between June and October, you can hike the Carillion Battlefield trail (1.7-mile loop) and learn more about the Battle of Carillion, the bloodiest day in North American history until the Civil War. Access to the trail is included in a general admission ticket!
If you want to experience the area by boat, you can take a scenic boat cruise aboard the Carillon. Your tour guide will teach you about Lake Champlain’s maritime and military heritage all while you enjoy beautiful views of the Adirondacks.
The Hancock House, a reproduction of the original stone Hancock house in Boston, is open to the public. The museum is extravagantly decorated, and its collection includes furniture, clothing, and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries.
If you are a Star Trek fan, you must stop at the original series set tour in Ticonderoga. The sets are complete recreations of the original set built using original blueprints and photographs to make sure no detail was left out!
Don’t leave town without a stop at Bicentennial Park, where kids can burn off some energy at the playground, and visitors can fish in kayaks or off the public dock. Be sure to snap a family photo with La Chute Waterfalls in the background!
Loon Lake
Loon Lake is a quiet town located just over 20 miles north of Lake George and makes for the perfect Adirondack day trip excursion. Because of its proximity to Loon Lake itself, there are many lake-centered activities to participate in, including boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. You can rent everything you need for a day of lake-filled fun at Loon Lake Marina, including pontoon boats, kayaks, fishing boats, water skis, tubes, and standup paddleboards.
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, head about 10 minutes north of Loon Lake and visit Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park in Pottersville. The stone bridge is the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S.! You can take a self-guided tour, an above-ground tour, or a guided adventure tour through the caves.
Lake George Campsites is among some of the best campgrounds in NY. Our campground consists of 19 cozy cottages, 250 RV sites, tent sites, and all the amenities you need for a successful family camping experience. Book your 2023 stay today! We open back up for the season in mid-May and would love for your Lake George camping trip to take place with us.