Lake George Islands Day Use

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from mid-May through early September. Day use hours are 9am to 9pm when open. Reservations available online only.

About

Located on Lake George in the Adirondack Park, the Lake George Islands Day Use Area offers a distinctive recreational experience across multiple islands accessible only by boat. The islands are scattered throughout the 32-mile-long lake, known as the "Queen of American Lakes," providing picnicking, swimming, and fishing opportunities in a pristine natural setting. Day use hours are from 9am to 9pm daily during the operating season. Reservations are made online only through ReserveAmerica and are site-specific, allowing visitors to reserve a particular island and dock space up to seven days in advance or same-day until 6pm. Reservations are on a day-by-day basis only; multiple consecutive day bookings are not permitted. Each island features first-come, first-served pavilions. Lake George offers exceptional recreational boating and fishing. The lake's clarity allows light to penetrate deep, creating a two-story fishery with landlocked salmon and lake trout in deeper waters (50-180 feet) and bass and pike around islands and in weed beds. Boaters should be aware that weather can change quickly on the long, narrow lake, and should monitor conditions carefully. The lake has varying depths with sandy shoals, sunken islands, and sudden drop-offs, so obtaining a hydrographic chart is recommended.

Directions

Lake George Islands Day Use sites are accessible by boat only. From I-87 (Adirondack Northway), take exits 20-25 or 28, then follow Routes 4, 9, 9N, 8, 22, 74, or 149 to reach Lake George. Once at the lake, use a private marina to park and launch your boat to access the islands.

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