02 Nov Plan the Perfect Long Summer Weekend in Lake George at Lake George Campsites
The fact that we offer camping near Six Flags Great Escape is only one reason to center a summer stay around camping with us. Be in the know on the best family attractions and activities close by when you check out the below itinerary for a perfect long weekend while camping at Lake George Campsites. Come experience the best camping in the Lake George, NY region with us!
Friday Evening: Get Settled In at Your Campsite or Cabin & Gather ‘Round the Fire
Lake George Campsites has a check-in of 2 pm, so come in the late afternoon or early evening so you can start unpacking your gear and belongings, and feel out the welcoming space that you will call home for the next several days.
As with many other campgrounds in Upstate New York, we ask that you arrive prior to 8 pm, and it’s recommended to come before sunset. Late arrival can be accommodated if you make arrangements with us beforehand, but the earlier you arrive, the sooner you can start on the family fun!
If you’re staying in one of our cozy cottages you can stop for supplies on the way in and plan to cook dinner right over the stove in the comfort of your kitchen or kitchenette. Some of the cabins have an eat-in kitchen. Otherwise, there are plenty of picnic tables situated around the campground property for shared use. We’re also within walking distance of Northway Brewing Co., open until 8pm on Fridays, for an after-dinner drink.
And of course, there are also fire pits for those roaring campfires that truly make the Lake George camping experience. Save time for some star gazing on your first night, and don’t forget the s’mores supplies! But if you do forget, our camp store is stocked with firewood and all of the necessary s’mores ingredients.
Check out our post on easy camp snacks >>
Bonus tip: If you’re able to arrive sooner, there are free fireworks and live music shows in Lake George Village every Thursday in the summer.
Saturday: Relax at the Campground, Then Head Out to Make the Most of Lake George
Allow yourself to wake up slowly and enjoy the morning at the campsite. Spend your first couple of hours exploring the campground, lounging by the pool, or stocking up on firewood or supplies at the camp store. We also have a game room/arcade with air hockey, a pool table, and more to enjoy.
Come late morning/early afternoon it’s time to decide on your chosen quintessential Lake George summer activity. The best Lake George camping trip is comprised of both activities at the campground and taking advantage of the many attractions our chunk of the southern Adirondacks has to offer.
You might:
- Go to Lake George Village and check out Million Dollar Beach (or the kid-friendly Usher’s Park Beach if you have little ones), Shepard Park, and Lake George Battlefield Park
- Shop at the four distinct shopping centers in the Lake George Outlets and stop at the Log Jam Restaurant for lunch
- Bring the kids to Great Escape, the Fun Spot, or Lake George Expedition Park
Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor, or just “Great Escape” to locals, is a two-minute drive or 15-minute walk from our campground at Lake George Campsites. We also recommend the Fun Spot, within walking distance of the campground (they have indoor and outdoor fun with mini golf, laser tag, go-karts, and the like), and Lake George Expedition Park.
Lake George Expedition Park is actually two parks in one: the Jurassic Park-like Dino Roar Valley, and Magic Forest, which is reminiscent of old-time Lake George theme parks and is best geared toward younger children. This theme park is a mere seven minutes from Lake George Campsites.
If you’re in Lake George Village as the evening winds down stop into Lake George Beach Club for a drink. They often have live music going on in the summertime as well.
Learn more about attractions close by >>
Sunday: Choose From a Day on the Water or a Day Trip to the Track
Looking to get out on the water during your family trip? We have so many opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, and whitewater rafting close by. Rent a paddleboard or kayak from Kayak Lake George in the Village, or farther up the lake from the Lake George Kayak Company in Bolton Landing. And you don’t have to limit yourself to Lake George – there is a kayak launch site on Glen Lake just five minutes from us.
Guided paddling or whitewater rafting trips abound in this region as well. Whitewater rafting typically takes place on the Sacandaga or Hudson Rivers from outfitters like Sacandaga Outdoor Center, Wild Waters Outdoor Center, and several others. If you’re traveling with children we suggest lazy river tubing with Tubby Tubes in Lake Luzerne.
If you’re looking to venture out from Lake George, or perhaps you already got in some water-soaked fun at Great Escape the day before, consider a day trip to another southern Adirondacks or Capital Region hotspot. The Saratoga Race Course is always a popular choice with vacationers and locals alike, and it’s just under 30 minutes from us at Lake George Campsites.
You don’t need to limit a Saratoga visit to the track, though. There’s shopping and dining downtown, the famous mineral springs sprinkled throughout the Spa City, museums like the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, and parks like Saratoga Spa State Park (with hiking trails, pools, a golf course…) and Congress Park, which has a carousel for the kids at just $1 a ride.
Glens Falls is even closer to our Lake George campground than Saratoga, and here you’ll find museums like the Hyde Collection and the Chapman Museum (there is a kids museum here, too – World Awareness Children’s Museum!), dining and shopping in the walkable downtown, and plenty of parks, biking paths, hiking trails, and picnic spots.
Some don’t realize it but Queensbury, which lies between Lake George and Glens Falls, is home to Great Escape and boasts its own array of dining, shopping, and entertainment – it’s also the town in which our campground is located.
Monday: Fit in a Hike, Walk, or Bike Ride Before You Leave
After all your gear and camping supplies are packed up (check out is 11 am), we challenge you to squeeze in one more summertime activity before your journey home to New York City, Western Massachusetts, or wherever you may be coming from. If you didn’t know, we’re a haven for trails, mountains, and stunning summit views here in the Lake George region and you simply cannot leave without fitting in a hike, bike ride, or quick walk.
The Warren County Bikeway runs from Lake George to Glens Falls and the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail goes from Queensbury to Fort Edward. Both are several-mile-long paths that are excellent for biking or walking. Note: Although we are pet friendly at Lake George Campsites, the Warren County Bikeway is not. (The Feeder Canal Trail is.)
Prefer biking? Gurney Lane Recreation Area has its own highly-rated bike park with designated mountain biking trails, and it’s only five minutes from our campground. And if you need a bike, you can rent one via the CDPHP Cycle! program.
Photo credit: Amanda Metzger
Finally, if you’re itching for a true Adirondack hike up a mountain we recommend Prospect Mountain, which has a trailhead in the Village under 15 minutes from Lake George Campsites. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a picnic lunch as your last meal on this Lake George trip!
Although this is a popular local hiking spot, by coming on a Monday you’re likely to avoid much of the summertime crowds and will have more freedom to enjoy the picturesque, 100-mile views of the Adirondack High Peaks, Vermont’s Green Mountains, and New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Look at Your Calendar & Plan Your Summer Camping Trip Today
Now you can know all the things to do in Lake George in the summertime! It’s truly never too early to start planning for the summer. In fact, by the time the first snowflake falls this season, you’ll be happy you made your Lake George camping reservations, so you have something special to look forward to once the warm weather returns. Whether you’re bringing kids and/or pets or you’re planning an intimate camping trip for just the two of you, there is so much to enjoy when camping in Lake George.
Although this itinerary covers from Friday to Monday you could easily customize a family getaway during the week, which would be especially fitting for you if you’re seeking solitude and fewer crowds during your camping trip.