There are dozens of captivating, breathtaking, beautiful lakes in the Adirondacks. You could visit these mountains every season of every year and not ever go to the same place twice, and many people do take that approach when exploring this part of the state. On the other hand, some visitors find one lake that they love best and return to it time and time again.
If you’re just getting started on exploring the Adirondacks, you may not know where to start. To visit three of the very best lakes that the Adirondack Park has to offer in one weekend, this road trip is a great one to follow. On it, you’ll spend one day and night at the Great Sacandaga Lake, one at Lake George, and one at Saranac Lake – a lake which is actually three lakes strung together.
These are some of New York’s most popular lakes and you’ll soon see why. This road trip is a great overview of the best of the Adirondack lakes.
So that you can enjoy each of the three lakes on this road trip to the fullest, the driving time is minimal. It takes just one hour to get from Great Sacandaga Lake to Lake George, and just two hours to get from there to the Saranac Lakes.
Christy Articola/Google Maps
Great Sacandaga Lake is a great place to start your journey. This lake is actually a man-made reservoir that was built in 1930. Over the past 90 years, it has had plenty of time to turn into what feels like a real lake.
Ashley Frill/Flickr Great Sacandaga Lake, New York, USA
This lake is 29 miles long and has a surface area of more than 41 square miles. Great Sacandaga Lake is very popular with people who like boating and fishing.
Ashley Frill/Flickr
When visiting Great Sacandaga Lake, you might consider staying at Northampton Beach Campground on the northwest corner of the lake. There are 177 campsites from which to choose.
Antoine Levesque/Google Local Northampton Beach Campsite, 328 Houseman St, Mayfield, NY 12117, USA
The swim beach at Northampton Beach Campground is great. It’s well-maintained and sandy, and this part of the lake is great for swimming. The campground also offers a Junior Naturalist program for your little ones and there are canoe, rowboat, and paddleboat rentals onsite too.
Cheryl Vanvlack
A one hour drive to the northeast will take you to Lake George. Lake George is nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes and with good reason. This lake is natural and is about 32 miles long from north to south.
Management/Google Local Lake George, NY 12845, USA
Lake George Village is a popular destination for tourists during the summer months. You might consider taking a steamboat ride on the lake to get a better look at it and to learn more about it.
Shinya Suzuki
Lake George’s Canada Street is full of shops and restaurants and is a great place for an afternoon or evening stroll.
Shinya Suzuki/Flickr Canada Street, Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845, USA
There are a number of historic hotels in Lake George Village that have been open for many decades. If you want to stay near the action and the lake, you’ll be happy if you choose one of them as your accommodations for night two of your trip.
NYC Subway Rider/Flickr
In the morning, say goodbye to Lake George and head north to the Saranac Lakes. Many people think that Saranac Lake is just one place due to the fact that the town of Saranac Lake is a popular destination. However, the Saranac Lakes are actually three separate, distinct lakes that are connected by the Saranac River. This is Upper Saranac Lake.
Proper Tea Property/Google Local Upper Saranac Lake, New York, USA
This is Middle Saranac Lake.
Dylan Avery/Google Local Middle Saranac Lake, New York 12945, USA
This is Lower Saranac Lake. All three lakes are beautiful and are worth viewing and visiting during your trip.
Michael Fitzpatrick/Google Local Lower Saranac Lake, Harrietstown, NY 12945, USA
At the end of the day, you’ll end up in the town of Saranac Lake. This small town is quaint and welcoming. The historic Hotel Saranac is an upscale hotel in a building that was built in 1927. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2019.
Jasperado/Flickr Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton, 100 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA
You’ll see so many wonderful things on this short but impressive weekend road trip. When your trip is complete, take some time to compare and contrast the three lakes you visited. Which is your favorite? Which is the most beautiful? Which would you like to return to in the future?
Christy Articola/Google Maps
Ashley Frill/Flickr
Great Sacandaga Lake, New York, USA
Antoine Levesque/Google Local
Northampton Beach Campsite, 328 Houseman St, Mayfield, NY 12117, USA
Cheryl Vanvlack
Management/Google Local
Lake George, NY 12845, USA
Shinya Suzuki
Shinya Suzuki/Flickr
Canada Street, Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845, USA
NYC Subway Rider/Flickr
Proper Tea Property/Google Local
Upper Saranac Lake, New York, USA
Dylan Avery/Google Local
Middle Saranac Lake, New York 12945, USA
Michael Fitzpatrick/Google Local
Lower Saranac Lake, Harrietstown, NY 12945, USA
Jasperado/Flickr
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton, 100 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA
Of course, these are just a few of the many amazing lakes in Adirondack Park. Next time you’re in the area, check out Long Lake, Cranberry Lake, Raquette Lake, Tupper Lake, Mirror Lake, Lake Champlain, Blue Mountain Lake, Schroon Lake, Indian Lake… the list goes on and on. There are dozens of lakes and also dozens of adorable small towns to check out there, too – so get on out there and explore!
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