Lake George Island campsites provide distinctive tent camping near Whitehall, New York for visitors willing to access sites by boat. These island campsites sit at approximately 320 feet above sea level with sites positioned along 32 miles of shoreline. Water temperature reaches 75-80°F in summer months with evening temperatures dropping to the 50s even during July and August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake George offers excellent fishing conditions with species including lake trout, landlocked salmon, bass, and pike. A visitor to Glen Island Group noted, "Great fishing, lots of fun to be had on the water and quiet peaceful evening by the campfire."
Kayaking explorations: Paddlers can navigate between islands and mainland shorelines. When visiting Long Island Group, one camper mentioned, "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip."
Water activities: Swimming directly from campsites provides immediate lake access. As one camper stated, "Worth a trip from just about anywhere. Absolutely beautiful and you can't beat camping on an island."
Holiday celebrations: Holiday weekends offer special activities. At Glen Island, a camper reported, "We went for July 4th and got front row seats for their fireworks over the lake from our private shore."
What campers like
Remote setting: Island locations create a disconnected camping environment. One camper at Narrow Island Group explained, "Once there, settle in & relax, you aren't going anywhere. Nice for forced relaxation if you want to read, sleep, have limited interaction."
Private islands: Some campers reserve entire small islands. A visitor noted, "We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private."
Water proximity: Immediate shoreline access from tent sites ranks highly. According to a camper, "I love this place so much I almost feel like I shouldn't say it's amazing... but. That's not what we do here! So- it's amazing!"
Local dining options: Nearby restaurants provide alternatives to camp cooking. One camper recommended, "eating at our favorite local joint, George's (we recommend the prime rib and salad bar with their carrot slaw - it's amazing.)"
What you should know
Weather preparations: Wind patterns significantly affect island camping comfort. A camper advised, "Check the weather before your stay. Don't under estimate this tip."
Booking timeline: Securing reservations requires advance planning. One visitor to Narrow Island explained, "Book 9 months in advance & good luck. Last minute cancellations are a common occurrence though."
Noise considerations: Motor boat traffic impacts the wilderness experience. A camper mentioned, "Warning: lots of boat motor noise esp on summer weekends which sadly dilutes the otherwise 'cut off' feeling."
Supply requirements: Island campers must transport all necessities. One experienced camper advised, "TAKE EVERYTHING you need including extra ice."
Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly between islands. A camper at Long Island Group observed, "There were no leveled space whatsoever (except for one platform per site...but where would a second tent go? On the horrible ground beside it."
Tips for camping with families
Transportation planning: Family groups need adequate boat capacity. As one parent at Davey Falls ADK noted, "Amazing secluded creekside spot. Private waterfall, hiking trails."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for potential animal encounters. One group reported, "We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night. It was bad."
Alternative mainland options: Families seeking more amenities might prefer non-island sites. At Stony Creek Family Campground, campers reported, "It's a nice family ran campground. We love it here and plan to come back!"
Boat size requirements: Family camping requires adequate watercraft. One camper with children advised, "Definitely need a decent sized boat with a gas outboard to get there, but wow. What an experience. Me the wife and our 3 children had an amazing time on our three night stay."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most island locations accommodate tents only, with no RV access to islands.
Tent camping alternatives: RVers often switch to tents for island experiences. One visitor mentioned, "We had sites 3-7 and they were all the same."
Mainland RV facilities: Nearby mainland campgrounds provide RV accommodations with standard hookups.
Rental options: RVers can park at mainland locations and rent boats for day trips to islands.
