Published Updated 4 min readThings to do
Things to Do Near Lake George Rentals (State Sites)
Quick answer
NYSDEC runs the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, a 5.5-mile road to parking just below the 2,030-foot summit, open May 23 to November 11 in 2026 for a fee. DEC also runs boat-access-only campgrounds on 44 state-owned islands in the lake. The Lake George Park Commission lists the state and town boat launches. Facts below come only from those agency pages. On BnB Search, the Lake George vacation rentals hub lists 188 places, 138 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.
Lake George state sites at a glance
- Prospect Mountain highway: 5.5-mile road, three overlooks (the Narrows, Lake George, Eagle's Eye), a short walk to the summit; season May 23 to November 11 (NYSDEC).
- Prospect Mountain on foot: A 1.5-mile trail climbs 1,630 feet from Smith Street in Lake George village (NYSDEC).
- Lake George Islands: 387 shoreline campsites on 44 state-owned islands in the Glen, Long and Narrow Island groups; boat access only; dogs prohibited on the islands and docks (NYSDEC).
- Public launches: Million Dollar Beach (Lake George), Northwest Bay/Clay Meadow (Bolton Landing), Rogers Rock and Hague Town Beach (Hague) (Lake George Park Commission).
Why this matters for renters: Prospect Mountain is a drive-up view near the village, and the islands are a day or overnight boat trip if you have a boat. Both have seasons and fees, so check the pages first.
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
DEC describes a 360-degree view from the summit that reaches Vermont's Green Mountains, New Hampshire's White Mountains and the Adirondack High Peaks. The drive takes about ten minutes from the entry booth to the parking lot, plus time at the overlooks. A self-guided nature trail, the remains of a cable railroad and picnic facilities are at the top.
- Entrance on U.S. Route 9, half a mile south of Lake George village.
- The page lists a per-car fee.
Lake George Islands campgrounds
The islands are boat-access only. Campers park and launch at a private marina (usually for a fee) and register at the headquarters for their island group. Every site has a dock for one boat, a fireplace, a picnic table and a toilet.
- Glen Island Group: in the Narrows, east of Bolton Landing.
- Long Island Group: south end of the lake.
- Narrow Island Group: the Mother Bunch, in the northern part of the lake.
Boating rules to know
DEC notes that motorboats of 10 horsepower or more need a Lake George Park Commission day-use or seasonal permit, and all trailered boats must be inspected for aquatic invasive species.
What our Lake George listings show
These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.
- 188 listings in total: 138 individual stays, 39 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 7 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 4 other local listings that are not rentals.
- Area tags: Lake George Village 137, Bolton Landing 1. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
- Words in the stay titles: of the 138 stays, 2 mention walking to the beach; 9 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 2 mention a dock; 5 mention a lake view; 3 mention a mountain view; 6 mention a hot tub or spa; 12 mention pets or dogs; 54 mention cabin. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.
Browse them on the Lake George hub (map and filters) or in the full Lake George listings directory.
Before you book a Lake George rental
- If you plan to drive Prospect Mountain, check that your dates fall in the season (May 23 to November 11 in 2026).
- Bringing or renting a motorboat of 10 hp or more? Arrange the Lake George Park Commission permit and the trailered-boat inspection.
- Island camping and docks are dog-free, so plan pet care if you bring a dog.
- Ask your host which launch or marina is closest to the rental.
FAQ
When is the Prospect Mountain highway open?
NYSDEC lists May 23 to November 11 for the 2026 season, weather permitting. A fee is charged per vehicle.
Can you hike Prospect Mountain instead of driving?
Yes. DEC lists a 1.5-mile trail that climbs 1,630 feet from Smith Street in Lake George village.
Can you bring a dog to the Lake George Islands?
No. DEC prohibits dogs on the islands, docks and vessels moored at the docks.
How many Lake George rentals does BnB Search list?
188 listings, including 138 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.
Does BnB Search book the stay?
No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.
Sources
- NYSDEC: Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Day Use Area
- NYSDEC: Lake George Islands Campgrounds
- Lake George Park Commission: Boat launch sites
- NYSDEC: Boat launch sites, Essex County (Lake George permit and inspection note)
Related
Lake George area facts · Lake George weather by month · Lake George vacation rentals · Lake George beach access and parking · Albany Airport and Getting to Lake George
Hotels, resorts and lodges in our Lake George directory
Each of these listings has a BnB Search page that links to the property’s own website or its managing company’s site. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, and shows no ratings.