Lake George — Destination Guide: Overview

Lake Gorge is shaped like a crooked finger, sprawling some 30-miles north-south along a fault line in the Adirondack mountains. Except for a few year-round resorts such as the Sagamore, and towns such as Lake George Village and Glens Falls, the lake is ringed with thick pine forests and mountain streams filled with elusive trout. This is an outdoor lover's paradise, a family-friendly vacation destination, and a haven for sailing enthusiasts. The area also is of historical importance: as part of the water route between Canada and New York City, it was fought over by the British and the French. A popular excursion is rafting the headwaters of ...

Lake Gorge is shaped like a crooked finger, sprawling some 30-miles north-south along a fault line in the Adirondack mountains. Except for a few year-round resorts such as the Sagamore, and towns such as Lake George Village and Glens Falls, the lake is ringed with thick pine forests and mountain streams filled with elusive trout. This is an outdoor lover's paradise, a family-friendly vacation destination, and a haven for sailing enthusiasts. The area also is of historical importance: as part of the water route between Canada and New York City, it was fought over by the British and the French. A popular excursion is rafting the headwaters of the Hudson River from Glens Falls, a day-trip of rapids, eddies and thrills. Eighteenth-century Fort Ticonderoga at the northern tip of the lake was where American patriots won their first major military victory against the British in 1775. The Fort William Henry Museum at the site of the James Fenimore Cooper classic The Last of the Mohicans is worth a visit.

About the Expert

Evelyn Kanter is a contributor to Fodor's NYC and Fodor's Canada, editor of the Michelin Green Guide Switzerland, and author of Great Destinations: The Hudson Valley.