Lake George RV Park: Awesome Stays in Upstate New York
Enjoy a family atmosphere in one of America's most iconic vacation spots
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It’s always been a family affair. Since 1966, when Vic and Jessica King first stumbled on the 120-acre undeveloped parcel that was to become Lake George RV Park, they imagined filling it with the sounds of children’s laughter and families spending their summer vacation together. And what vision! Sixty years later, the park is one of the premier campgrounds in the Lake George area in New York, one of the premier summer vacation hotbeds in the country. In fact, the park is so well-regarded that many other RV campgrounds have used it as a model to emulate.
From the heated outdoor pool and water play area to the game room, trading post, and on-site movie theater, it’s truly a one-stop shop. And, if you ever feel like leaving the park, Lake George and all the trappings of an iconic American summer are just down the road. Not bad for a family business founded by a couple of old-school campers and their kids.
Photo courtesy of Lake George RV Park.
Outdoor Fun
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Cascade Cove, the park’s water park area, takes center stage among the many on-site amenities. Located on the park’s east side, the Cove features a 38-person hot tub, a spray pad, a waterpark-style twisting slide, and more. It’s the perfect place to cool off after enjoying the park’s several miles of paved bike trails, or the French Mountain hiking trail, which winds from the property to the summit of historic French Mountain.
During the roughly two-hour hike to the top, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and Adirondack peaks in the distance. Near Cascade Cove, tennis courts and horseshoe pits make for a fun post-barbecue outing, while the park’s west side has its own fitness center, bonfire pavilion, and bingo club. Trolleys and golf carts make it easy to get around day or night.
French Mountain Theater. Photo courtesy of Lake George RV Park.
Indoor Attractions
Geared towards summer fun, the park unsurprisingly highlights its outdoor amenities, but its indoor offerings are just as plentiful. Take the on-site movie theaters, for example. There’s one located on each side of the park, so finding a seat is no problem, and the nightly showings feature an array of classics and new releases that are appropriate for the whole family. There’s also an indoor heated pool and a couple of arcades to keep the kids busy while the grownups relax.
The French Mountain Playhouse, however, is the real summer star. Truly unique to the Lake George RV Park community, the playhouse has been entertaining visitors since 1988 with free – yes, free! – performances of everything from magicians, to acrobats, to mind-readers, clowns, and more. No stay at the park would be complete, or nearly as fun, without setting aside a night or two to take in a show.
Taking in the views of Lake George. Photo: Amrit Gurung.
Lake George
Ten minutes due north, the charming village of Lake George awaits, and with all the makings of a memorable summer to boot. Once billed as the “Original Vacation,” the Lake George area has been frequented by vacationers since around the turn of the 19th-century. Back then, it was mostly New Yorkers looking to enjoy the fresh air and pine forests of the southern Adirondacks, but pretty soon it was, well, just about everyone. In the Northeast, a vacation here is almost like a rite of passage.
First-timers should do as their forebears did and take to the water for a sunset steamboat ride via the Lake George Steamboat Company or an adventurous journey through The Narrows, a particularly dramatic central section of the lake, on Sagamore’s Morgan. Floating tiki bars, canoe tours, and fishing charters are also easily arranged online or at the town harbor, so it’s really a choose-your-own-adventure kind of outing. For a more laid-back beach day, head to Million Dollar Beach right in town, or one of the smaller sandy outposts like Hague Town Beach Park or Wayside Beach in nearby Lake Luzerne, which often features summer concerts by the water.
Sailing aboard the Morgan. Photo: Maxwell Gold.
By Foot
Lake George is also home to wonderful trails and interpretive nature experiences that are not to be missed. Family-friendly hikes like The Pinnacle and Rush Pond Trail serve up stunning views without too much effort, while big days in the outdoors can be found on longer routes like the pet-friendly Cat and Thomas Mountain Trail or the challenging Black Mountain Range. For a different kind of adventure, try the Rail Bike Tours in North Creek, about thirty minutes from the lake. These pedal power outings use old rail lines to allow you to explore deep in the backcountry without having to get your tent out. The Boreas River Run in particular is revered among rail bike enthusiasts.
Hiking the mountains above Lake George. Photo: Clay Banks.
Sweet Treats and Fine Dining
Lake George area has had plenty of time to perfect its summer attractions, and that’s also true when it comes to food. A 70-year-old institution, Martha’s Dandee Crème on Rt. 9, is just a few minutes from the RV park and has been voted among the Top Ten best ice cream parlors in the country multiple times. There’s also The Pink Roof and Adirondack Ice Cream, both in the heart of Lake George Village, which serve up super unusual flavors alongside the classics. For more savory palates, head to classic joints like the Log Jam Restaurant or The Docksider, which serve up standard fare in unique surroundings. The Boathouse is another gem, with a seasonal menu and water views.
Greg Donahue
James Donahue is a writer and outdoors enthusiast whose travels have taken him to 45 states and nearly as many countries around the world. When he's not hiking, biking, or fly fishing (or writing about all three), you can usually find him exploring the beaches up and down the East Coast with his wife and daughter.
