South Bay.
South Bay forms the southern arm of Lake George — a 935-acre basin separated from the main lake by a narrow channel near the Montcalm Street bridge in Lake George Village. The bay is effectively a distinct body of water: shallower and warmer than the main lake, lined with seasonal docks and camps, and sheltered enough that it's often calmer when the main lake is whitecapping. It's a boat-access fishery (no dedicated launch on the bay itself; use Million Dollar Beach or Hague), and while the DEC has no current species data on file, the bay historically holds warmwater species that favor the shallow, weedy structure. South Bay Brook enters from the southeast — a thermal refuge in summer and a known spawning tributary.
South Bay has public access. Summits nearby include The Diameter and Little Diameter.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data and NYSDEC records; surface and capacity from NYSDEC and OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
- 01Pike Brook Road Parking LotTrailhead4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Dacy Clearing Parking Area5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 4 PARKING LOT5.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 3 PARKING LOT6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 2 PARKING LOT6.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 1 PARKING LOT6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Upper Hogtown Parking Area6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 08SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 8 PARKING LOT6.4 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts — Federal chart data: buoys, lights, wrecks, obstructions, and depth contours.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The trails.
Read before you launch.
Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- Beyond the Sea10.4 mi
An upscale fine dining establishment offering a sophisticated menu of meticulously prepared dishes in the Lake George region.
- Antonio's Bayside Bistro13.0 mi
Discover a unique dining experience at Antonio's Bayside Bistro, where tradition meets innovation on the serene shores of Lake George. Enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine, breathtaking views, and warm hospitality.
- Lone Bull Pancake & Steak House13.6 mi
Hearty plates of traditional daytime fare round out the menu at this seasonal, rustic establishment.
- Bistro LeRoux15.4 mi
Local, French-accented cuisine with multiple rooms displaying artwork & views of the open kitchen.
Sip.
3- Caffe Vero16.2 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co24.8 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes24.8 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
— 16.2 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Cate's Creamery10.2 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
- Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor16.1 mi
Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor in Lake George offers ice cream and frozen yogurt at inexpensive prices. Located at 327 Canada St, it provides take-out service and accepts credit cards.
- Lake George Baking Company16.2 mi
A bakery with two locations in Queensbury and Lake George, offering custom cakes, breads, rolls, and the original Fudge Fancy. Off-season hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor18.8 mi
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Drink.
4- Ridge Terrace Restaurant-Cocktail Lounge12.1 mi
The Ridge Terrace is a chef-owned and operated restaurant in Lake George, NY, celebrating its 60th season. They offer a diverse menu, including a children's menu, and can accommodate special dietary requests.
- Diamond Point Grille13.1 mi
Diamond Point Grille is a casual family restaurant located in Diamond Point, NY, on Lake George. It specializes as a fish and burger joint, serving simple comfort food made with local, affordable ingredients in a relaxed setting.
- Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery13.6 mi
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, located in the Adirondack Mountains, crafts a variety of spirits including vodka, gin, moonshine, and whiskeys. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful tasting room offering specialty cocktails, local beer, wine,…
- Adirondack Bar and Grill14.2 mi
We pride ourselves on our seasonally inspired American classics and fresh ingredients in the meals we serve. Our food and drink options will have you coming back to troy something new each time!
Stay.
4- Huletts on Lake George6.6 mi
A collection of named cottages on Lake George's east shore at Huletts Landing, with a sandy beach, dock access, a 9-hole golf course, and Black Mountain hiking nearby.
- Northbrook Motel8.5 mi
Pet-friendly cottages on Lake Shore Drive in Silver Bay, on the quieter northern end of Lake George. Private dock access, private beach, and a shared bonfire pit. Twelve miles north of Lake George Village.
- The Lodges at Bolton Landing9.8 mi
A collection of lodges on Lake George's Northwest Bay, providing direct water access with complimentary boats and a renovated pool area.
- Silver Bay YMCA - Conference and Family Retreat Center9.9 mi
A 700-acre lakeshore conference and family-retreat center in operation since 1904. National Register of Historic Places. 253 rooms across hotel, cottages, dorms, and guest houses; meeting spaces up to 700; 15 miles of hiking trails.
See.
4- Bolton Historical Museum10.4 mi
The Bolton Historical Museum, located on the shores of Lake George in Bolton Landing, educates visitors about the history of Bolton, Lake George, and the surrounding region.
- Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob10.8 mi
Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob offers a moderately steep, 0.7-mile hike to a gazebo with expansive views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. An additional blue trail leads to a seasonal waterfall.
- Godwin Preserve11.7 mi
Godwin Preserve in the Town of Bolton offers two hiking trails totaling 112 acres, with moderate difficulty. The Yellow Trail provides views of Amy's Park wetlands and High Nopit, while the Red Trail connects to Pole Hill Pond Preserve.
- Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort13.2 mi
Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort offers private guided boat tours of Lake George on a 24-foot bowrider motorboat. Guests enjoy sightseeing, swimming, tubing, and cliff jumping with an experienced captain.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is South Bay located?South Bay is a pond in the Lake George region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is South Bay?South Bay has a surface area of approximately 935 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is South Bay open to the public?Yes, South Bay has public access. See the listing page for current trailhead, parking, and boat-launch details, and check active DEC advisories before visiting.
- Can you camp at South Bay?Within roughly seven miles of South Bay: 101 designated campsites, 6 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.