Cover Photo by Kacey O'Brien
If you're looking for the perfect trip to take with your dog, look no further than the Lake George Area! Below you'll find preserves and trails for exploring, pet-friendly lodging and dining options, parks to play in, and activities that you and your dog can enjoy together.
Pay close attention to the weather when doing these activities with your dog. Whether it's a jacket, or extra water needed, always keep an eye on the temperature. If you forgot anything back home, or need any extra supplies, you can always stop at The Dog Cabin in Lake George. They're open year round!
At the bottom you'll find links for Pet-Friendly Lodging!
Dog Friendly Hikes
Is your dog the adventurous type? Choose one of these pet-friendly hiking trails and begin exploring the Adirondacks together!
Some things to be aware of before hitting the trails:
- Know the leash laws. Most, if not all, of the trails say that dogs must be leashed.
- Please clean up after your dogs.
- Check for ticks on your dog, and yourself.
- If weather permits it, bring a jacket and/or dog boots.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks.
- Wear bright colors during hunting season.
- Leave the wildlife alone, and leave no trace.
Photograph by Kacey O'Brien
- Bartonville Mountain Hiking Trail - An easy-to-moderate 1.5 mile hike with stunning views of Brant Lake.
- Black Mountain Range - Up and back route is 5 miles, and the round trip loop is 6.7 miles. This is a moderately challenging hike. It is the highest mountain on the shores of Lake George with a summit elevation of 2646 feet.
- Hackensack Mountain Park - 3 moderately challenging trails covering 3.5 miles, for hiking and snowshoeing. Offering panoramic views of the Hudson and Schroon Rivers.
- Meade Mountain and Beckman Mountain Hiking Trail - A steep, 2.1-mile hike with views of Loon Lake, Gore Mountain, and Blythewood Island. Hikers will summit two separate mountains on this moderate trail. This is part of the Chester Challenge. Take a look at the Hiking Highlight of the trail!
- Palmer Pond Hiking Trails - This is an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile New York State hiking trail, around a 31-acre pond. It is part of the Chester Challenge. Check out this Hiking Highlight of the trail! - This trail is frequented by hunters.
- The Pinnacle - An easy-to-moderate .75 mile hike offering 270-degree views of the Tongue Mountain Range, Buck Mountain, Shelving Rock, Dome Island, The Sagamore Resort, and the Narrows.
- Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob - Easy-moderate .7 mile hike to a gazebo and scenic lookout. Rock steps are part of this trail, so be aware that these could be slippery after a rainstorm. When you reach the gazebo you can follow the blue trail for about .9 miles to reach the waterfall. Please note that the waterfall is mainly active in spring, and often dry in late summer and fall.
- Stewart Mountain Hiking Trail - An easy, 0.84-mile hike with one steep section and close-up views of Loon Lake. This trail is part of the Chester Challenge.
Preserves & Trails
Whether you walk, run, or snowshoe....these year-round trails and preserves provide the perfect scenery for you and your dog to explore the Lake George Area.
Some things to be aware of before venturing out:
- Know the leash laws. Most, if not all, of the trails say that dogs must be leashed.
- Please clean up after your dogs.
- Check for ticks on your dog, and yourself.
- If weather permits it, bring a jacket and/or dog boots.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks.
- Leave the wildlife alone, and leave no trace.
Photograph by Kacey O'Brien
- Amy's Park - A 500-acre preserve with four easy to challenging trails (Yellow, orange, blue, and red). It's a beautiful property of ponds, marshes and forests. It includes scenic lookouts of the active beaver pond and the resident wildlife, and also a view of Lake George.
- Clendon Brook Preserve - A .5 mile easy nature trail. Great for wildlife observation and photography.
- Dean Farm Heritage Trail - 3.6-miles of walking and hiking paths. (13 in total!) The paths take you through fields, woods, and wetlands. Benches and picnic tables are placed along the trail system.
- Dynamite Hill Recreation Area - 133-acres of marked trails.
- Feeder Canal Towpath - A 9-mile relatively flat trail that follows the Feeder Canal. This historic canal transported people and goods from the early-1800s until 1928.
- Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve - An 83-acre preserve, including a 2.6 mile trail system with scenic views of the Hudson River. The green trail is where you'll find the observation bridge.
- Meadowbrook Preserve - (Pictured above) A 44-acre preserve, providing an easy 1.75-mile trail system (zero incline). Trail takes you through a meadow, into wooded trails where Halfway Brook runs through, and loops back to the meadow. Trail system can get muddy, so bring proper footwear.
- Rush Pond Trail - A 2.6 mile trails system through the Rush Pond wetlands. There are three hand-constructed bridges along the trail, that offer scenic views of the wetlands.
- Sullivan Preserve - A 70-acre preserve with 2.5 miles of trails. An easy trail with a few sustained hills.
- Van Dusen Preserve - A 1.8 mile hiking trail ranging from easy, to sloping and moderate. Some inclines are steep. Great trail for wildlife photography.
- Warren County Nature Trail & Nordic Ski System - 3.5 miles of trail to explore, ranging from easy to expert. The blue trail is easy and flat, and it runs along the Hudson River. The yellow and orange trails are more challenging, taking you up and down several hills.
Outdoor Dining
After all that exercise you'll definitely work up an appetite! Check out these pet-friendly dining options in our area:
*Please note that outdoor dining is seasonal, and some of these businesses are not open year round. They are all available spring - fall.
Photograph by Juliette Harris
Bolton Landing:
- The Algonquin Restaurant
- Bear's Cup Bakehouse
- Bolton Landing Brewing Company
- Frederick's Restaurant
- The Shack
Glens Falls:
- Cooper's Cave Ale Company - Get your pup a Dog Dish!
- Davidson Brothers Restaurant Brewery - (Pictured above)
- Downtown Social
- Rob & Deb's Frozen Dreams
- Spot Coffee
Lake George:
- 163 Taproom
- Adirondack Pub & Brewery
- A&W All American Food
- Bank Cafe
- Biscotti Brothers Cafe
- The Breakfast Spot
- Christie's On The Lake
- The Docksider Restaurant
- The Garrison
- The Lagoon
- Lake George Beach Club
- The Lobster Pot
- Mezzaluna's Restaurant & Pizzeria
Lake Luzerne:
- Bon's Ice Cream
- Nettle Meadow's Hitching Post - Pups welcome to dine outside and choose from their "For the Pups" menu! The menu has brunch, lunch/dinner, and Emmy's PupCup for dessert.
Queensbury:
- Adirondack Winery Queensbury Tasting Room - Their patio welcomes well-behaved dogs.
- Martha's Dandee Creme - Try a puppy cone served with a milk bone!
- Kelly's Roots Cafe & Marketplace - Their enclosed deck is pet-friendly, and heated during the winter months.
Warrensburg:
Parks
How about a picnic with your pups at one of these beautiful parks in our area? Don't forget a frisbee!
Some things to be aware of before heading to the parks:
- Know the leash laws. Most, if not all, of the parks say that dogs must be leashed.
- Please clean up after your dogs.
- Leave the wildlife alone, and leave no trace.
Photograph by Kacey O'Brien
- Crandall Park - A park in Glens Falls that has it all!...Playground, a pond for fishing and ice skating, softball and soccer fields, trails for walking, and more!
- Glens Falls City Park - (Pictured above) Located in the center of Downtown Glens Falls, it's the perfect place for a picnic! There's a gazebo right in the center that's perfect for getting out of the sun on a hot day.
- Haviland Cove Park - Located right on the Hudson River, this park is part of the Feeder Canal Towpath.
- Hovey Pond Park - A 10-acre park in Queensbury with a marshland walkway, and floral gardens. The playground is closed for winter.
- Hudson River Park - A 44-acre park in Queensbury, with access to a 6 mile stretch of the Hudson River.
- Overlook Park - A public recreation area at the beginning of the Feeder Canal Towpath in Glens Falls, that overlooks the Hudson River and Feeder Dam.
- Ridge/Jenkinsville Park - An 80-acre park in Queensbury, that's home to several youth and adult sport leagues. Dogs must stay off of the athletic fields.
- West End Park - A 3-acre park in Queensbury, including a playground.
Pet-Friendly Activities & Events
Hop on a boat with your dog and cruise around Lake George! Are you a fan of whiskey? Bring your dog along for tasting while sitting around a fire!
*Please note that some business listed below are not open year round. Ex. Boat cruises.
- An Adirondack Woof Stock - Put on your tie-dye t-shirts and travel back to 1969 with your dog. This event has entertainment, food, vendors and live music! There'll be pet adoptions from Adirondack Save-A-Stray and various adoption agencies, doggie games, raffles, and great fun for the whole family!
- Fridays at the Lake - Concert-goers can enjoy free live music with their dogs in Shepard Park!
- Halloween Pugs & Pumpkins Party - Pug contests (including "Best Kisser" and "Fastest Runner") and pumpkin decorating for all ages.
- Lake George Waterfront Cruises - Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome on the Historic Sightseeing Cruises and Sunset Cruises! Imagine watching the sunset on Lake George with your furry best friend.
- Love is On Lake George Cruises - Ahh just you and your dog cruising on Lake George....I guess some friends and family can join too. You can also customize your cruise! Just be sure make a reservation, and let them know about your furry passenger in advance.
- Music by the River - Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, maybe a picnic basket and enjoy a great night of music on a beautiful southern Adirondack evening.
- Pet Fest - (Pictured above) This event is held in Glens Falls City Park, and brings pets and their owners together to show just how pet-friendly Glens Falls can be! We welcome well-behaved and properly-leashed pets. Pet Fest is absolutely free!
- Rockin' for Ronald - A weekend filled with family fun and great music in Shepard Park!
- Tails and Ales - This event invites well-behaved, leashed dogs to this spring afternoon that welcomes the entire family. Watch K9 demonstrations by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Green Mountain Dock Dogs, DogLoversDays Lure Course, LG Dogs Got Talent Show, enjoy live music, and more!
- Tiki Tours - Dogs are welcome on private charters, but they must have a life preserver.
- Tri County United Way - 0.5K The Race for the Rest of Us! - This (shortest "race" of your life) is a family friendly event, so get the entire family signed up, including your pets!
- True North Boat Tours - Enjoy a private boat cruise on Lake George with your four-legged friends!