27 Jun 5 Totally Free Summer Activities in the Lake George Region
Let’s face it; family vacations can be expensive. Between gas, airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, excursions, and activities, you could be spending a pretty penny for a week, or even a weekend, away from home.
The great news is that there are a number of great, family-friendly activities in the Lake George area that won’t cost you anything! We’ve compiled a few of our favorite freebies for you, so you won’t need to sacrifice fun summer activities.
1. Visit Shepard Park for music & fireworks!
Shepard Park on Canada Street in Lake George Village is a hotspot for free concerts, family-friendly events, and fireworks. Summer fireworks in Lake George typically start on July 4th and then follow every Thursday through early September. Who doesn’t love fireworks all summer long?!?
2. Learn about Lake George’s history with a self-guided walking tour.
The summer months are the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll around Lake George Village. There are statues and plagues throughout detailing the history of the area.
The Battlefield Park, the site of an important battle in the French and Indian War, is now home to four Lake George monuments and a memorial, including statues commemorating a Mohawk warrior, Saint Isaac Jogues, William Johnson, King Hendrick and a memorial for four “unknown soldiers.”
Check out the Colonial Wars Walking Tour, a 3.3-mile-long self-guided tour featuring historical and natural sites in the area. Stops on the tour include Fort William Henry, Fort George Ruins, The Smallpox Hospital of 1776, and Steel Pier, where Lake George Steamboat Company keeps its boats.
The beauty of a self-guided tour is that you can go at your own pace, and there’s no need to go from start to finish.
3. Explore the beauty of Shelving Rock Falls.
Shelving Rock Falls is a 50-foot cascade that runs over rock formations located on the eastern side of Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a moderate hike to get to the falls along a dirt trail that weaves through the forest. Soak up the scenic beauty on the way up; you’ll see streams, trees, flowers, plants, lake views, and more. Wear a bathing suit and splash around in the stream or go for a dip in Log Bay on the lake.
If you want a bit of a longer hike, you can do the Shelving Rock Summit hike, which is a 3 ½ mile round-trip hike to the summit of the mountain and back. Parts of the trail may be steep and slippery, so be sure to wear proper footwear.
Pro tip: bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the pool of the falls!
4. Hit the beach.
There are many beaches to explore in Lake George. Million Dollar Beach is one of the most popular in the area. It’s clean and large and has a roped-off area for swimming in the Queen of American Lakes. There are lifeguards on duty for those with small children.
Shepard Park Beach is another popular beach in the area. With restrooms, 350 feet of sandy beach, a shaded park with an amphitheater, and more, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite for so many.
If you want to take a little bit of a drive, hit up Rogers Memorial Park Beach in Bolton Landing. It’s got all the amenities you could possibly need, including a public pavilion, picnic tables, grills, docks, a basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, and bathrooms. Pro-tip: while they do charge $5 for parking, you can find a free spot to park in town and make the short walk to the beach.
And if you’re traveling with your dog, be sure to make a stop at Lake George Dog Beach. It’s located between the Lake George Steamboat Company docks and Million Dollar Beach. You can let your dog off leash here to play in the sand and swim in the lake.
5. Go for a bike ride along the Warren County Bikeway.
The Warren County Bikeway boasts almost 10 miles of paved trails that are ideal for walking, jogging, and biking. The path begins in Glens Falls and continues through Queensbury, ending at Battlefield Park in Lake George. Shaded by a canopy of trees, not only is it great exercise, but it’s a beautiful and scenic ride!
If you don’t bring along your bike, the CDPHP Cycle! program now offers bike rentals in Warren County. The program offers various pricing, including rentals by the hour, and there are locations all over the area, including at Beach Road Steel Pier on Beach Road in Lake George and outside Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe on Glenwood Avenue in Queensbury.
Now that you know all the fun things to do in Lake George, it’s time to plan your summer getaway! Book a stay with us a Lake George Campsites. Whether you’re bringing kids and/or pets or you’re planning an intimate camping trip for just you and your partner, there is so much to enjoy when camping in Lake George.