One of the best things about boating on Lake George is the opportunity to go camping! With plenty of islands to choose from, why not moor up and spend the evening relaxing, perhaps by playing spot of Foxy Bingo or card games with the others on board your boat? Camping can be a great way to have a break from sailing before you continue on your journey the following day.

The islands that have camp sites on them are broken up into four groups: Long Island (Southern Basin) Group, Glen Island (The Narrows) Group, Mother Bunch Group, and the Waltonian Group. Each group has it's own headquarters with ranger stations and in the case of Glen Island, there is a store with camping items, tools, fire wood, ice and ice cream.

Long Island: The Long Island or Southern Basin Group is located at the Southern end of the lake,
near the village. There is only one island in this group (Long Island), but it is large, covering about 100 acres with 90 sites. The office or ranger station for that island
is located on east side and can be reached at (518)656-9426.

Boat docked at Mohican Island. (Click image to enlarge)

Glen Island: The Glen Island Group is located toward the central portion of the lake with the office residing on Glen Island, which also has a store with basic supplies and ice cream. (The kids refer to Glen Island as Ice Cream Island, since a day on the lake wouldn't be complete without a stop at the island for some snacks). The islands in this group are as follows:
Bass Island - 1 site, small, flat island, close to the shore. Water depth is 3 feet.
Gourd Island - 1 site, flat, and high up with little protection from wind and sun. Water depth is 4 feet.
Little Gourd Island - 1 site, small and limited to two people with little protection from sun and wind. Water depth is 4 feet.
Big Burnt - 27 sites. Large island with the West side facing the main channel, which can be busy. Some of the lower sites open in June due to flooding, but provide private swimming areas. Depths range from 2.5 feet to 7 feet, making some sites accommodating for larger sailboats.

Play the Big Burnt Island Video

Black Mountain Shore - 15 sites with various configurations, shade and protection from wind. This is not an island, but is only accessible by boat. Water depths vary from 2.5 feet to 4 feet.
Fox Island - 1 site with limited privacy due to the closeness to the shoreline. Very limited protection from wind and sun. Water depth is 2.5 feet.
Brush Island - 1 site, the largest of the single site islands with good shade and wind protection. Water depth is 3 feet.
Uncas Island - 13 sites. Close to the Glen Island station, there are various sites on this island, most with good sun and wind protection. Most sites have a water depth of 4-5 feet.
Commission Island - 2 sites, both large and flat with 2.5 foot water depth.
East Dollar Island - 3 sites with moderate exposure to wind and sun. Water depth is 3-4 feet.
Fork Island - 12 sites with various configurations and protection from sun and wind. Water depth varies from 2.5 to 4 feet.
Gem Island - 1 site with a good swimming area, but has boat traffic on both sides (not too close where you can't swim though). Water depth is 3.5 feet.
Phantum Island - 4 sites with good swimming. Has boat traffic due to the close proximity to Glen Island. Water depth varies from 3 to 5 feet.
Gravelly Island - 2 sites on a high, steep island with great views, but exposure to wind. Water depth of 3 feet.
Hermit Island - 1 site with some sun. Water depth is 3.5 feet.
Watch Island - 1 site with sandy bottom near dock making it good for swimming. Water depth is 2.5 feet.
Hen and Chicken Island - 2 sites. Receives afternoon sun and has spectacular sunsets. Water depth is 4.5 feet.
Huck Island - 2 sites with good views but little wind protection. Water depth is 3.5 feet.
Little Harbor - 9 sites with various configurations. Water depths of 3 to 4 feet.
Log Bay - 12 sites, all cruiser sites, meaning the camper has to sleep aboard their boat, as no tents are allowed.
Mohican Island - 9 sites on a fairly large island with the West side facing the channel. Some sites have good swimming spots. Water depths of 2.5 to 5 feet.
Phelps Island - 7 sites with various configurations but limited protection from the wind.
Pine Island - 1 site. One of the larger single site islands at the southern end of the narrows. Water depth of 3.5 feet.
Juanita Island - 6 sites, many with good swimming spots, but closed until late June due to high water levels. Water depth up to 5 feet.
Ranger Island - 2 sites with good swimming area with sandy bottom. Water depth of 5.5 feet.
Red Rock Bay - 30 sites, all cruiser sites. Campers must sleep on their boats as there are no tents allowed.
Red Rock Point - 6 sites. This is on the mainland but accessible by boat only. Has ledges that are used for jumping/diving into the lake (although BoatUpstate.com does not recommend it).
Perch Island - 1 site. Private and sunny. 4.5 foot water depth.
Refuge Island - 1 site that is very sunny and windy with lots of ledges for sunbathing. Water depth of 5.5 feet.
Sunny Island - 1 site with little protection from wind and sun. Water depth of 5 feet.
Turtle Island - 33 sites with various configurations. Some sites allow for boats with drafts up to 6 feet.

Campsite on Mohican Island, looking up from the dock. (Click image to enlarge)

Mother Bunch: The Mother Bunch Group is mostly located across from Silver Bay, and the ranger station is on Narrow Island and can be reached at (518)499-1288. The following islands make of this group:
Agnes Island - 5 sites with various levels of sun and wind protection. Some sites can accomodate boats with a 6 foot draft.
Burgess Island - 5 sites, mostly shady with somewhat of a walk from the dock to the sites. Deep water docks up to 6 feet deep.
Nobles Island - 2 sites, one larger and one smaller one with good swimming from the shoreline.
Coop Island - 1 site. Private sunny site with good swimming and water depths of 4.5 feet.
Mother Bunch Island - 2 sites, large sites with good swimming and sunshine.
St. Sacrament Island - 19 sites with a lot of good swimming and various water depths (some deep enough for sailboats).
Duran Island - 8 sites, some with good wind and sun protection, with various water depths.
Little Burgess Island - 1 site that gets morning sun, but has no tent platform.
Floating Battery Island - 17 sites, mostly with good sun and wind protection and various water depths.
Hatchet Island - 3 sites with good sun but little wind protection.
Horicon Island - 1 site with morning sun and good swimming. Water depth is 4 feet.
Mallory Island - 1 site with a lot of sun, but a lot of wind. Water depth is 4 feet.
Phenita Island - 1 site with a small spot for a tent, but no tent platform.
Sagamore Island - 6 sites, some with morning sun and deep water docks, which are perfect for larger sailboats.
Steere Island - 1 site, but has room for two tents. Site is exposed to winds.
Vicars Island - 11 sites, some with good swimming and great views.

Looking up the Narrows on a gloomy June morning. (Click image to enlarge)

Waltonian: The Waltonian Group is located at the northern end of the lake, which, unlike the southern sections of the lake, there is a public boat launch at Mossy Point. Rogers Rock Camp Ground maintains these sites and can be reached at (518) 585-6746. In addition to the sites at Roger's Rock, which have moorings, the islands with sites are as follows:
Flirtation Island - 1 site
Temple Knoll Island - 3 sites
Waltonian Island - 6 sites

Sarah Island (Day use only)

Play the Sarah Island Video