A day at the beach is the ultimate summer pastime. The white-hot sand that softly sears the soles of your bare feet and the brisk water that simultaneously shocks your skin and reinvigorates your sense are two pleasures that belong to the beach. A summer escape to the Lake George Area is perfect for anyone who loves to lounge in the sand and splash in the water. Beaches along the shores of Lake George are ideal for sun-seekers who want to swim in the lake and bask in the sun with waterfront restaurants and top attractions nearby. Swimmers who prefer to swim laps in seclusion can find public beaches in out-of-the-way locales spanning the region. Slip on your flip-flops, tie up your bathing suit, and pack a picnic lunch – our beaches are calling your name!
Let’s start with those on our “Queen of American Lakes” …
Beaches in the Lake George Village
There are three Lake George beaches located right in the Lake George Village. If your idea of a beach day is a field of sand dunes, the clearest water around, and absolute convenience – choose one of these:
Million Dollar Beach
Lake George Beach, better known as Million Dollar Beach, is a 51-acre spread of sand along the southernmost shore of Lake George. This beach is huge, easily accommodating the summertime crowds that come day-after-day to cool off in the lake’s southern basin. Million Dollar Beach is an excellent family spot, within walking distance from many Lake George hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. Located at the very base of Lake George, Million Dollar Beach also provides a front-row seat to observe the steamboats from the Lake George Steamboat Company and Lake George Waterfront Cruises. These companies offer daily boat cruises on Lake George, introducing visitors to the beauty of the lake and the mountains that cradle the water. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are duty to ensure the safety of swimmers. This state-owned beach does have a parking fee which is $10/car; $5/motorcycle; $50/bus. The Lake George Beach Bath House has changing facilities, showers, and bathrooms. Also located on the premises is the Million Dollar Beach Boat Launch with a hard-surface ramp, inspection station, and free boat wash station.
Dog Beach
Suggestion for Swimmers: If you brought your four-legged friend with you to the Lake George Area, the strip of sand next to Million Dollar Beach is known as Dog Beach. This beach is perfect for your furry friend to cool off, but swimming is not permitted here.
Shepard Park
Swimmers and sunbathers will find another beach to love on Lake George at Shepard Park, located on Canada Street and mere feet from the busy sidewalks of the Lake George Village. Whether you’re taking a short swim in Lake George before a day of shopping or spending an entire day in the water, Shepard Park's beach is for everyone. A manicured lawn slopes down to the water here, complete with park benches and Adirondack chairs overlooking the southern basin. This grassy portion of Shepard Park offers plenty of shade for those who don’t quite love the sun. A beautiful amphitheater with several levels of crescent-shaped stone seating sits behind the beach, and is the venue for concerts and performances held throughout the summer against the backdrop of Lake George. Shepard Park Beach is considered the heart of the Lake George Village, and is easily walkable from many hotels and restaurants. The hours for Shepard Park are 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and swimming is allowed only when lifeguards are on duty.
Suggestion for Anglers: Shepard Park also has a public dock that offers prime fishing. Make sure to bring your rod to reel in some sunfish, bass, or perch when you visit the beach.
Usher Park
The last, but certainly not least, of the beaches in the Lake George Village is Usher Park. This small patch of sand and swim area is a short drive from busy Canada Street, and the sole public beach in our region that is located on the eastern shore of the lake. Beach-goers can look north to see Lake George stretching out into the distance, and west towards the bustling Lake George Village. Two pavilions in the park provide great cover from the sun and can be reserved for day use. Picnic tables under each pavilion make a family gathering or a beach birthday party easy. A handful of covered gazebos can shade swimmers from the sun during a picnic lunch. There is also a small playground for the kids, restrooms, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a sloping, green lawn. The hours for Usher Park are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with beach use hours from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Beaches in Bolton Landing
Just 10 miles north of the Lake George Village is the Town of Bolton Landing. The two public beaches in Bolton Landing are both on Lake George and located within town parks that have plenty to do and convenient access to local shops and restaurants. If you’re in town for the summer holidays, these beaches provide some of the best seats for the fireworks shows over Lake George.
Rogers Memorial Park
Rogers Memorial Park is the southernmost of the Lake George beaches in Bolton Landing. It’s a medium-sized beach with clean, white sand that gently slopes down to the water. Loungers can see The Sagamore Resort and Adirondack Mountains – including Sleeping Beauty, Shelving Rock, and Tongue Mountain – from the beach. The pier at Rogers Memorial Park has free, public boat docking and a gazebo that is a wonderful place to get out of the sun for a few minutes. There is also a sloped lawn, basketball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and plenty of room to run around. If you walk up the hill and out of the park there are restaurants and delis for a convenient lunch. The restrooms are updated, and the Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce is located at the top of Rogers Memorial Park is you have any questions about the town. The park is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day during the summer, and the beach is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when lifeguards are on duty. There is a $5 parking fee.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Veteran’s Memorial Park is on the northern side of town, a short stroll on the sidewalk past the bustling restaurant section of Bolton Landing. This beach is sprawling and flat with plenty of room to spread out a blanket and eat a picnic lunch. The park consists of a full-length basketball court at the edge of the parking lot, a lawn to throw a Frisbee or football on, an enthralling playground for kids, and a circular veranda that throws some shade. There are picnic tables and grills along the lawn that makes lunch near the water a breeze. Veteran’s Memorial Park also affords paddlers easy access to the lake, as well as free, public boat docking. Of all the Lake George beaches, “Vet’s” has the best view of The Narrows. But, before you hit the beach, stop to admire the small memorial to veterans that greets you as you walk from the parking lot to the sand. The park is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day during the summer, and the beach is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when lifeguards are on duty. There is a $5 parking fee.
Hague Town Beach
Hague is a peaceful town that doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of the Lake George Village and Bolton Landing. As far as Lake George beaches go, Hague Town Beach Park is a good one. Farther north along the banks of Lake George, this beach has a vast swimming area watched over by two lifeguard stands sitting on the lengthy, thin stretch of sand. The park is a large, rambling, grassy section perfect for playing with the kids, picnic tables for a sit-down lunch, and plenty of playground space for a break from the water. There are also public docks at Hague Town Beach Park that make tying up in Hague a breeze. The boat launch here is free for residents or $20 a launch for non-residents. The Hague Visitor’s Center is located in the parking lot for anyone who has a question about the town. Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months.
Suggestion for Music Lovers: Hague’s free summer concert series takes place on Wednesday nights at the Hague Town Beach Park through July and August. Don’t forget your lawn chair!
Other Beaches in the Lake George Area
Of course, there are more places to swim and sunbathe besides the beaches on Lake George. Secluded beaches are located all over the Lake George Area.
So, pack your beach bag and head to…
Wayside Beach
Wayside Beach on Lake Luzerne has a swimming area that can fit plenty of visitors. This is an ideal spot for a picnic, an afternoon swim, or to launch your canoe or kayak. Luzerne Music Center is located on the far bank, so paddlers can sometimes hear the students playing their instruments over the water.
Brant Lake Beach
Brant Lake Beach is a small, public beach in the quaint Town of Horicon. Spend the day here swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing.
Loon Lake Public Beach
Located in the Town of Chester, the Loon Lake Public Beach is a beautiful plot of sand where visitors can swim, picnic, and fish. There’s also a small launch for non-motorized boats.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Find more sandy shores than the ones we listed in this blog – click here!