One of the most frequent questions at the Bolton Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is about launching kayaks, canoes and boats on trailers on Lake George. And then, where to park cars and trailers for a fun day at the lake.
Please remember the “Clean, Drain and Dry” program is in effect for boat launching in Lake George; and that boats of 18′ or larger, or 10 hp motors or larger, require a Lake George boat permit – these are available at most bait and tackle shops: $7.50 for a day, $11.50 for a week.
You do not need New York State boating license (different from a Lake George permit) to drive your own boat if you are over 18 years if age, however some marinas will not rent boats to anyone under 21. You do not need a New York State fishing license if you are under 16. If you are over 16 there are day, week, and seasonal licenses available at most bait and tackle shops, including Anne’s Bait & Tackle Shop on Norowal Road in Bolton Landing. Ann’s is open every day in the season. If fishing is on your wish list and you want to be out on the lake and just fish, you can charter a guided boat from Cherokee Fishing Charters on Lake George – they can find lake trout, salmon and bass. You can also charter a boat and guide from Chic’s Marina
“Car top launching” is just about what you’d expect it to be – the boat has to be small enough to be carried on a car top apparatus, and possibly hand carried for a short portage to get to the water. Public launch sites:
– Veteran’s Park, 5050 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing; car top launch only, $5 to park – and according to Bolton Town Supervisor Ron Conover, there are 7 new tie-ups there!
– Northwest Bay, just north of Bolton Landing on Route 9N – car top only. Parking is free, it is a short portage to the lake.
– There are two small public beaches just south of Bolton Landing with very limited parking – these are not official launch sites, however some people use them for car top launching: Huddle Bay Beach Road and Bixby Beach Road.
– Lake George Beach (Million Dollar Beach) has free launch and parking (trailers allowed) before Memorial Day and after Labor Day – this launch site is not open during the summer when the beach is in operation.
– Two public launch sites in Hague: Rogers Rock Public Campground (day use fee of $6, lots of parking) and the Hague Town Beach (Day use fee $10) Other Launch Sites
: Many marinas will have public launch and parking facilities for a fee, some complete with fuel and services; many lodging facilities maintain launch sites and docking space for their patrons. (One of my sons used to stay at the Sagamore Hotel just for their fantastic boat facilities. His wife was equally impressed with the views, rooms, spa and restaurants. To each his/her own!)
A few of the Bolton Landing marinas with public launch, docking and/or parking spaces are Beckley’s Marina and Norowal Marina, Inc. Some marinas rent boats to the public, and even rent boats with drivers, so you are saved the bother of launching and parking! A few of these marinas are: F.R. Smith and Sons (who have a wonderful antique wooden boat and driver to give you a guided tour of the lake), and Chic’s Marina, Inc., with the most choices for rentals on the lake.
Lodging with either boat use and/or docking: “Boat use” usually means the facility keeps some kinds of boats for their guests to use – these are often manual rather than motor boats: kayaks, canoes, rowboats and paddle boats. “Docking” may mean that a patron’s boat might need to be launched elsewhere, and then can be docked at the facility. It is best to check with the facility for details.
The easiest way to check facilities is to go to our website, www.boltonchamber.com and click on “Lodging” then click on the “Click Here to Search by Amenities” title, and – Wow! That is the best tool ever – you just click on all the amenities you want, hit the “Search” button, and you will get a printable list of every lodging that has everything you want. You can also link to each lodging’s web site from our web site. Parking: Bolton Landing has free public parking during the day, on the street and in two public parking lots. There is no overnight parking in Bolton Landing. If your plans include being gone overnight, such as camping on the islands, it is best to make arrangements for your car and trailer. Norowal Marina is happy to accommodate overnight parking for cars and trailers as long as they have room. Docking: There are 17 public docking slips at Rogers Memorial Park, and 10 at Veteran’s Memorial Park, including the new ones that were just installed. The docks at both parks are available for use from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Overnight docking is not allowed, all slips must be vacated by 11 p.m.
What is your favorite kind of boating on Lake George? A leisurely pontoon boat with room to move around, have a picnic on board, fish or swim? A speedboat for fun and water skiing? One of the cruise ships with a snack bar or dinner? A kayak, canoe, rowboat, or paddle boat to get around under your own steam and listen to the s
ounds of nature and the lake? A classic antique boat with a driver to be ferried around in style?
Any way you do it, getting out on Lake George is an absolutely wonderful ride!
Penelope Jewell
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