07 Aug Interesting Facts About Lake George

You may know that Lake George, or the Queen of American Lakes, is the largest lake in the Adirondacks, with over 45 square miles of water for locals and tourists to enjoy. But you probably don’t know the fun pieces of Lake George trivia that we have listed below! Read through and prepare to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge.

Lake George is not only the largest lake in the Adirondacks but also the deepest.

Lake George reaches depths of up to just about 200 feet (196 feet to be exact) in some parts, which is a depth far greater than any other lake in the Adirondacks. Lake Placid, for example, has a maximum depth of only 75 feet.

Lake George is one of the cleanest lakes in America.

Due to its strict environmental regulations and careful management, Lake George proudly wears the title of the cleanest lake in the nation. The Lake George Association does terrific work to preserve and protect the waters of Lake George with a mix of partnerships, community education, public policy advocacy, and direct investments in programs and activities that care for the lake.

It hasn’t always been called Lake George.

Lake George has gone through several name changes over the years. It was first known as Andia-ta-roc-te by the Mohawk tribe. Isaac Jogues then named the lake Lac du Saint Sacrement when he discovered it in the 1600s. Finally, during the French and Indian War, the lake was named Lake George by British Commander William Johnson, who wanted to name it after King George II. Its nickname, “Queen of American Lakes,” was derived by 19th-century poet James Fenimore Cooper when he described the lake as “the most beautiful water ever seen.”

It was once home to Georgie the Lake Monster.

Sightings of Georgie the Lake Monster date back all the way to the early 1900s, and these “sightings” were legitimate. Harry Watrous, a painter from NYC and practical joker, got creative with a log, some paint, 100 feet of rope, and a pulley system and crafted Georgie in 1904. Watrous went on to terrorize both locals and tourists with his monster. You can visit Georgie today at the Hague Historical Museum, or there’s a Georgie replica at the Lake George Historical Museum.

The lake is home to hundreds of species of fish.

If you are an angler, Lake George is a great spot to spend the day fishing. It’s home to hundreds of species of fish, including lake trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, yellow perch, rock bass, smelt, and black crappie. The lake is also home to rarer species, like the Lake George whitefish, which can only be found in Lake George.

US President Thomas Jefferson was a fan of Lake George.

In 1791, Thomas Jefferson penned a letter after visiting the area. He began the letter with, “Lake George is, without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw…” We completely agree, Mr. President!

The lake has more than 170 islands.

Yes, you read that correctly. The beauty of Lake George is only enhanced by the more than 170 islands peppering its waters. The islands range from tiny uninhabited ones to larger ones that you can camp on and even ones so large that they have restaurants, resorts, and marinas on them. Only around 30 of these islands are privately owned – the rest are owned by the state. Check out the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation for more information on reserving a campsite on one of the islands.

There are six identified invasive species in Lake George.

The Asian clam, first found in 2010, is the biggest threat, along with the Eurasian watermilfoil. Other invasive species are the Chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, spiny water flea, and zebra mussel.

Lake George was home to the tragedy of the Ethan Allen.

In 2005, the Ethan Allen, a 39-foot traveler boat carrying 47 people, sank amid calm weather on the Lake. Twenty people died in this tragic accident. The tour group was from Michigan and was embarking on a week-long fall bus and train tour along the East Coast.

Although the boat was designed to hold 50 passengers when it was built, later changes to the boat’s design drastically lowered its stability, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s inquiry. The boat should have been rated to transport no more than 14 people at the time of the disaster.

The lake has not experienced a catastrophe of this size since. There is a Netflix movie called “The Laundromat” that details the events of the sinking of the Ethan Allen.

Lake George was home to a stretch of road called Millionaires’ Row.

Millionaires’ Row was the nickname given to a stretch of Bolton Road (now called Lake Shore Drive) where millionaires built their summer residences back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Notables such as renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe, photographer Alfred Steiglitz, famous soprano Marcella Sembrich, and politician Charles Evan Hughes built and resided in their mansions here. Although often called cottages by their owners, these grand homes had dozens of bedrooms, often sprawled more than 20,000 square feet, and were built on hundreds of acres of pristine lakeside land.

These mansions became less sustainable by the 1930s due to the economic climate and the introduction of income tax. Most of the estates were torn down or turned into hotels or restaurants – only a few still stand today.

Now that you know the most obscure facts about Lake George, it’s time to plan your Lake George camping adventure! Lake George Campsites is among some of the best seasonal campgrounds in NY. We have over 200 RV sites and all the amenities you need for a successful family camping trip. Book your stay today! Our  2024 camping season runs from May 1 – October 14.