Blue Mountain Lake/Lake George/Lake Placid
Aug 9th, 2002, 02:14 PM
#2
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For scenery, you can't beat the Blue Mountain Lake area. Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Newcomb are all in the middle of the Adirondack Park surrounded by the High Peaks. This part of the Adirondacks is not nearly as touristy as Lake George or Lake Placid. There's great camping all around at the state campgrounds - try Lake Durant in Blue Mountain Lake, Lake Eaton or Forked Lake (which is foot or boat access only) in Long Lake, Lake Harris in Newcomb. Blue Mountain Lake is home to the Adirondack Museum, worth a day's visit. If you drive through Newcomb, you can visit the Adirondack Visitors Interpretive Center, cross the headwaters of the Hudson River - with a little interpretive center of its own, and there's a small park with a sweeping vista of the High Peaks. Just beautiful!
Aug 9th, 2002, 06:02 PM
#4
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If you get off I-87 at Warrensburg (Exit 23) it's about another 45 mins. to the Lake Durant campground at Blue Mountain, an hour or so to Lake Eaton at Long Lake, and 60-75 mins. to Lake Harris at Newcomb (depending on what route you take). Forked Lake is trickier because it's foot or boat access only. Check the NYS DEC's website to see how late the campgrounds will remain open.
Late Sept. will be prime foliage season, so the scenery should be spectacular.
Late Sept. will be prime foliage season, so the scenery should be spectacular.
Aug 12th, 2002, 04:15 AM
#8
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You might consider taking Route 30 north out of Amsterdam instead of the Northway (I87). You can pick up rte 30 from the NYS Thruway. This will give you an incredibly beautiful ride north through the many Adirondack hamlets and will get you directly to Blue Mtn Lake. You'll pass many wonderful places to camp, swim, etc. You'll drive along the Sacandaga river, Indian Lake, and eventually Blue Mtn and Long Lake. Long Lake is a great little town too with many small inns and cabins for rent on the lake. You can take a float plane ride (very reasonably priced) from the village over the Adirondacks. Eaton Lake would be a terrific choice for camping. It is on Rte 30 just outside of Long Lake. We are on our way to a weeklong canoe trip up in the Adirondacks beginning tomorrow. Can't wait!
Aug 12th, 2002, 08:17 AM
#10
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Myst and John: Sharon's right. SR 30 north out of Amsterdam is a great drive. When you enter Hamilton County, you'll be in NY's least populated county, the only one that is entirely within the Adirondack Park, and the only county in the state without a traffic light. How's that for some useless trivia...
John: In the hamlet of Long Lake, I think the best place is the Motel Long Lake and Cottages. We've stayed there every summer since '91. It's a 9-unit motel and a dozen or so cottages on the east shore of Long Lake. Mind you it's not fancy (nothing is around there) but it's comfortable, clean, well cared for, peaceful, and in the perfect setting - off the main road but an easy 2-minute walk into the village. They have their own beach and dock for swimming and boating, or you can walk to the town beach. My only gripe is their water system - you can lose your shower when your neighbor flushes the toilet. The motel rooms are $65/night, cottages rent by the week. Check out www.motellonglake.com.
Another good choice would be the Long View Lodge on the south end of the lake. It dates back to the early 1900s, very well kept, nice rooms, and probably the best restaurant in town. Their drawback is that the lodge is close to the main road, so you hear all the trucks coming through town. They don't seem to have a website so you'll have to call for info. Avoid the Adirondack Hotel, except for eating and drinking - calling their rooms "funky" would be generous.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more. Enjoy!
John: In the hamlet of Long Lake, I think the best place is the Motel Long Lake and Cottages. We've stayed there every summer since '91. It's a 9-unit motel and a dozen or so cottages on the east shore of Long Lake. Mind you it's not fancy (nothing is around there) but it's comfortable, clean, well cared for, peaceful, and in the perfect setting - off the main road but an easy 2-minute walk into the village. They have their own beach and dock for swimming and boating, or you can walk to the town beach. My only gripe is their water system - you can lose your shower when your neighbor flushes the toilet. The motel rooms are $65/night, cottages rent by the week. Check out www.motellonglake.com.
Another good choice would be the Long View Lodge on the south end of the lake. It dates back to the early 1900s, very well kept, nice rooms, and probably the best restaurant in town. Their drawback is that the lodge is close to the main road, so you hear all the trucks coming through town. They don't seem to have a website so you'll have to call for info. Avoid the Adirondack Hotel, except for eating and drinking - calling their rooms "funky" would be generous.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more. Enjoy!
Aug 12th, 2002, 12:22 PM
#13
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Thanks Ben and Sharon--that drive on 30 sounds lovely and I will file away hotel info as well. I love clean but funky and I am camping when I feel like it and hoteling (made up this verb) when I don't. But camping with in-laws is something I would never do. I am now printing this thread to take on my trip! Which sadly is another month away.
