An Easy Hike For Families On Lake George
Several of our Lake George vacation home rentals are located on the eastern shore of the lake in the small rural town of Fort Ann, NY. While the town itself is small, Fort Ann is a nature-lover's paradise, big on outdoor recreation. Here you'll find some of the most breathtaking hikes on Lake George, including Shelving Rock Falls and Shelving Rock Summit.
Shelving Rock Falls Hike
Shelving Rock Falls is a relatively easy hike for even novice hikers and young children. However, the path starts out rocky, and can get slippery, so you’ll need to use caution initially. Once past the rocks, a wide, unmarked dirt trail takes you down the mountain and alongside beautiful waterfalls. If you bring water shoes, you can cool off in the stony pool at the base of Shelving Rock Falls or follow the waters downstream to the lake. When the lake comes into view, take the path to the right and follow it to the rock jetty. This area of Lake George is known as Log Bay, a popular a spot for boaters to anchor for the day. (If you’re interested in traveling to Log Bay by boat, any local marina can provide you with directions.)
Getting There: If traveling from the west side of Hadlock Lake in Fort Ann, you’ll take Hadlock Pond Rd. north to Taylor Woods Rd. If traveling from the east side of Hadlock, you’ll take Stone’s Way north and make a left onto Copeland Pond Rd. and a right onto Taylor Woods Rd.
Taylor Woods Rd. becomes Sly Pond Rd., which turns into a dirt road, and then eventually Shelving Rock Rd. Continue down Shelving Rock Rd. for 2.8 miles, and you’ll see a steel gate that guards a culvert where the trail begins. A parking area is a short distance down the road on the left.
Shelving Rock Summit Hike
Like Shelving Rock Falls, this hike is relatively easy and great for young families. There is some uphill, but the path is wide and not steep. Round trip, the hike is 3.4 miles and typically takes an hour to summit and 30 minutes to descend. There’s not much of a view at the peak, but there’s a small narrow path that will lead you approximately 100 yards to a spectacular view of Lake George and the surrounding mountains.
Getting There: The trailhead for Shelving Rock Summit is past the Shelving Rock Falls trailhead. Continue on Shelving Rock Rd. for approximately 2.7 miles and you’ll see the trail sign and parking lot on your right. Note that Shelving Rock Road becomes narrow and steep with blind curves at this point, so drive slowly and use caution.
Book Your Lake George Vacation Home Rental
Fort Ann is a nature-lover’s paradise with a wide breadth of luxury accommodations, including lakeside cottages and custom homes with upscale amenities, lake access, dock space, hot tubs, fireplaces, and more. Northern Living features several luxury vacation rentals in Fort Ann, and more than 50 luxury properties in the Lake George region. Browse our listings or contact us and allow our concierge professionals to personally pair you with the perfect home for your Lake George vacation.
Courtesy of Tom Hoffman Jr.
Published on Jun 2, 2014
Direction To the Shelving Rock Falls Trail
FROM LAND: Take exit 20 from I-87 the Adirondack Northway, Go east off the ramp to Rt. 9, go past the outlet malls and turn right on 149 follow 149 east past Rt 9L until you find Buttermilk Falls Road on your left (approx 5.7 miles), you will see the Black Rooster on your left at this intersection. The name of the road changes from Buttermilk Falls to Sly Pond Road to Shelving Rock Road. There are nine designated parking areas in the Shelving Rock Area, and parking is not allowed on the sides of Shelving Rock Road.
BY BOAT: On Lake George - go to Log Bay (any marina can give you directions). From these rocks on the northern end of the bay (find the picnic table) follow the path south. Go over the wooden bridge with this view (you are crossing the stream), continue on the path until you see your first "left" the trail either continues along the lake or goes up along the stream. You will be following the path that leads to the falls on the "right hand side of the falls". In about 15 minutes you will have found beautiful Shelving Rock Falls.