Lake George Island Camping

Lake George islands offer the visitor a unique camping opportunity. It is one of the best ways to experience the Lake George Region of New York for those who enjoy boating and rustic tent camping. An island campsite is a great choice for your Lake George Area Vacation. You can choose from large islands with up to 90 sites and resident deer, to smaller islands in more secluded parts of the lake with only one or two sites.

There are 387 shoreline campsites located on 44 state owned islands. Most sites are well forested and private. All sites have a dock for at least one boat, a fireplace, picnic table and toilet facility. Cruiser sites also provide a charcoal burner and privy.

Lake George Island campgrounds are spread out over much of the lake and are only accessible by boat. We have divided them into four groups based on their common names and where on the lake they are located. The State refers to the island groups based on where their headquarters are located which can cause some confusion when trying to find an island in the Narrows. After choosing the area you wish to camp in, you need to make reservations.

You should make reservations as far in advance as possible because camping on Lake George Islands is very popular and the sites fill up fast. If you know the site you want ask the operator for it, if it is available the site will be reserved for you. It is advisable to be ready with more than one island and site choice due to availability.

When your time comes for you to go camping, you will have to go to a private marina to park and launch. If you don't have your own boat, but would still like to enjoy Lake George Islands camping, you can do so by renting a boat or canoe from one of the marinas.

The Long Island Group is located in the southern basin near Lake George Village. Camping is only on one island of about 100 acres in size. 90 sites are on Long Island. The Long island headquarters is located on the east side of the island. This also where you register for day use areas in the southern basin. The Phone number is 518-656-9426 The closest marinas are in Lake George Village and Diamond Point area.

In the central part of the lake near Bolton Landing is The Narrows. There are 170 sites and 42 cruiser sites in the The Narrows Group. The 42 cruiser sites are for large boats with sleeping quarters. 25 sites in The Narrows are located on the mainland but are accessible by boat only. The Narrows Group covers from Phelps Island just north of Pilot Knob through the Narrows region of the lake to Black Mountain day use area in the north. The headquarters are located on Glen Island and is referred to by the State as the "Glen Island Group" the phone number is (518) 644-9696. The closest marinas are in the Bolton Landing and Silver Bay.

85 sites are located in the Mother Bunch Group. The Mother Bunch Group covers the "Mother Bunch" at the base of Black Mountain to Mallory Island on the eastshoreline opposite Silver Bay. Launch from a private marina in Bolton Landing, Silver Bay, Hague, or Ticonderoga area. Parking and launching fees apply. There is a free state launch and parking in Ticonderoga at Mossy Point. The headquarters are on Narrow Island and the State refers to the Mother Bunch as "The Narrow Island Group". The phone number is (518) 499-1288

The Waltonian Group is located in the Northern Basin of Lake George near Hague. Formerly administered by the Narrow Island headquarters, it is now handled by Rogers Rock campground. Like all of the other Lake George Islands you can reserve a specific campsite at the Waltonian Group. The closest marinas are in Hague and Ticonderoga. Parking and launching is available at Rogers Rock Campgrounds and parking for car and boat trailer can also be arranged at Brookwood RV Resort just down the road. There is also a free state launch and parking in Ticonderoga at Mossy Point. The Rogers Rock campground phone number is (518) 585-6746.

Lake George Islands Day Use Facilities:

If you have your own boat or if you plan on renting one from one of the area marinas, a picnic and swim on an island can be great fun. Picnicking is permitted in designated day-use areas. There are 116 day-use sites on 8 islands and 2 mainland areas. Permits must be obtained from the appropriate headquarters and are issued on a first come first served basis. The sites provide charcoal grills, fireplaces, tables and dock. There are 9 picnic shelters that will hold up to 15 people each and can be reserved. No day-use tickets will be issued after 8 p.m. All day-users must leave the facility by 9 p.m. Picnickers and day visitors are charged per vessel, at a rate of 1 ticket per nine people.
For more information about DEC operated campgrounds and day use areas, call (518) 457-2500

Looking for a particular Island or an island with only one or two sites? Use the links below for maps to help you find islands and campsites and to make reservations. Close window to return.

The information supplied on this site on island camping is for information only! Lake George-Vacations.com DOES NOT make reservations nor do we know availability of island sites. Reservations can be made and availability of sites can be checked only at Reserve America.com that the links below take you to.

Lake George Island Camping
Lake George Islands Day Use Facilities