Blue Mountain Lake is the spot for a relaxing, family vacation. Enjoy camping, hiking, boating and a fantastic museum in this Adirondack Mountain town.
Tucked into the Adirondack Mountains, Blue Mountain Lake, NY provides the perfect retreat for a family vacation. Camping, boating and hiking are the hallmarks of this Adirondack vacation spot. Top off your trip with a visit to Blue Mountain Lake’s Adirondack Museum for a week your family will never forget.
Lodging
Many families choose to camp when they stay in the Adirondacks. Luckily, there are more than a few New York State campgrounds in the region. The campgrounds are well cared for, inexpensive and provide a true Adirondack experience.
Lake Durant campground is a picturesque campground with both tent and trailer sites. It has a day use area with a small beach and picnic tables. It is in very close proximity to many of the Blue Mountain Lake area attractions. Lake Durant is located on Routes 28 and 30 in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. Contact the campground at (518)352-7797.
In addition to campgrounds, there are several cabin and lodge rentals available in the Blue Mountain Lake area. While a cabin vacation avoids some of the work of camping, you need to be prepared to call and reserve a spot well in advance. Cabin rentals in the Adirondacks fill up fast for the summer vacation months.
Blue Mountain Lake Region Attractions
Museum
The Adirondack Museum offers a history of the Adirondacks in an open air museum. It has displays for both the history buff and outdoor lovers. Some activities offer hands on learning for children. Visitors can help build a kid-sized lean-to, try on hats worn by the people and visitors to the Adirondacks of the 19th and 20th centuries, or choose from several other activities.
For more information, contact the Adirondack Museum at P.O. Box 99, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812 or call (518)352-7311.
Hiking
There are hiking trails in the Blue Mountain Lake region for all ability levels.
- Buttermilk Falls makes the perfect short hike for families with young children who can enjoy the falls while eating a picnic lunch. Buttermilk Falls is located near Blue Mountain Lake, NY on Hamilton County Rte. 3 in Long Lake.
- For families with older children that like a moderate challenge, Blue Mountain is a two mile hike up a mountain. The view of the Adirondacks at the top of the mountain is stunning. Find the trailhead on Rte.30/28N.
- Those that are up for an extreme challenge can hike the Northville-Placid trail which goes by Blue Mountain Lake. This trail goes through 133 miles of the Adirondack Park and takes roughly 19 days to hike. Hikers considering this trail should contact the Adirondack Mountain Club for more information. They can be reached at 1-800-395-8080.
Boating
The Adirondacks are dotted with lakes and streams of all sizes. Visitors can bring their own kayak or rent a canoe at The Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery. Blue Mountain Lake and nearby Long Lake are perfect for a day of boating. The boat livery will deliver boats to campgrounds for those that wish to canoe on Lake Durant or other area lakes. Contact the Boat Livery at (518)352-7351
To get a true taste of life in the Adirondacks, stay in beautiful Blue Mountain Lake, NY. Spend a day at the Adirondack Museum and enjoy nature while camping, hiking and boating. You may find yourself going back to Blue Mountain Lake year after year.
Sources:
Adirondack Museum website
GORP, Adirondacks State Park, Northville-Placid Trail, website accessed May 16, 2008
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website, Lake Durant Campground
