The Adirondack Park is a sightseer’s paradise. Rolling mountains, bubbling streams and clear blue lakes fill its six million acres of “forever wild” forest preserve, including some unforgettable Lake George photo spots along the eastern shore.

Lake George sits at the southeastern point of the Adirondack Park, and has long been called the “Queen of American Lakes.” Since the late 1800s, tourists have made their way to villages along the shores to enjoy lakeside dining, sweeping vistas, and steamboat cruises.  Because of the area’s ongoing popularity, it can be tough to find roads and trails less traveled. Unless you explore the lake’s eastern shore!

Away from scenic route 9N on the west side of the lake, enjoy some roads (and trails, and bays) less traveled. From quiet shoreline preserves to mountain overlooks, there are plenty of places in Washington County to point your camera and take in the view.

Sucker Brook Preserve

A relatively short walk at Sucker Brook Preserve (formerly Gull Bay Preserve) leads to a south-facing view over Lake George, with a picnic table that makes it easy to settle in and frame the scene. It’s a good choice when you want strong lake photography without committing to a long hike.

Last Great Shoreline

As part of the Sucker Brook Preserve, the Last Great Shoreline Preserve features mature trees and an undeveloped stretch of lakeshore that creates a more natural frame around Lake George. Look for compositions that use branches, shoreline vegetation, birds or squirrels to add depth and a sense of place.

Clark Hollow Bay

Clark Hollow Bay offers another shoreline perspective on Lake George, where the shape of the bay itself can help frame the water and surrounding landscape. This is a good place to slow down and experiment with tighter compositions rather than relying only on wide panoramas.

Schumann Preserve

The gazebo at Schumann Preserve gives photographers a built-in focal point, framed by lush vegetation and views toward Lake George. It also gives the scene a little more character than a straightforward landscape shot, especially as the surrounding greenery changes through the seasons.

Climb Higher for Sweeping Lake George Views

Don’t let the photos fool you, it takes a bit of time and stamina to enjoy these panoramic views of Lake George. If you’re up for the challenge, your clients, followers, and camera are sure to thank you for it.

Buck Mountain

Difficulty: moderately challenging
Length: 7.0-mile out-and-back
Estimated Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes

The climb pays off with an elevated perspective that lets photographers capture the scale of Lake George against the surrounding Adirondack landscape. Wide-angle compositions are the obvious draw, but changing weather can completely transform the view.

 

Sleeping Beauty

Difficulty: moderately challenging
Length: 7.0-mile loop
Estimated Time: 3 hours, 15 min

Sleeping Beauty offers the kind of layered mountain-and-lake scenery that gives landscape photographers plenty to work with. The overlook works beautifully for sweeping landscapes, but the engagement photography below also shows how the mountain backdrop can turn a portrait into something much more dramatic.

Black Mountain

Difficulty: moderately challenging
Length: 7.7-mile loop trail
Estimated Time: 3 hours, 30 min

From the top of Black Mountain, photographers can capture Lake George from one of the article’s highest vantage points. The summit perspective is especially strong for showing the relationship between the lake, wooded slopes and surrounding Adirondack peaks.

Anthony’s Nose

Difficulty: moderately challenging
Length: 1.4-mile out-and-back trail
Estimated Time: 1 hour

Anthony’s Nose packs a dramatic Lake George overlook into one of the shorter hikes featured here. That makes it especially appealing for photographers who want an elevated perspective without spending most of the day on the trail.

Shelving Rock Falls / Mountain Summit

Difficulty: easy
Length: 6.3-mile loop trail
Estimated Time: 2 hours, 50 mins

Shelving Rock gives photographers two very different subjects in one stop: broad mountain views from higher ground and moving water at Shelving Rock Falls. That contrast makes it a strong choice when you want to come away with both wide landscapes and more intimate water-focused images.