Idiot’s Guides: RV Vacations

A trip to this region offers all the outdoor recreational opportunities you’d hope for among seemingly endless mountains, lakes, and streams.

Learn about the history of the French in this region on a guided tour at Fort Ticonderoga.

Hike the short but challenging trail to the top of Mount Jo, and get a great view of Mount Marcy and Heart Lake.

The weather is warm and beautiful from May to August, but the crowds disperse in September and the foliage starts to pop.

This campground is made of two sections, so be sure you reserve a site in the area that suits your tastes. The Resort Section has open, sunny sites and runs along the banks of the Ausable River. The 100 Acre Woods Section runs along the side of a mountain and hosts wooded, private sites.

No matter which area you stay in, you have access to the campground’s pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

If you’re looking to be close to downtown Lake Placid and the Olympic Village, this is a great place to park your RV. Many on-site activities are available, such as hayrides and ice-cream socials during the summer, and you also can enjoy the pool, mini-golf, fishing, bike rentals, and the snack bar.

The Lake Placid KOA recently began staying open all year so guests can enjoy the popular winter sports season in the area. The RV sites offer electric only during this part of the year (water is still available in the bathhouses), but if you’re willing to rough it a little, this is a phenomenal way to visit one of the most popular ski destinations in the east.

74 NY 149, Lake George, NY 12845. lakegeorgervpark.com; info@lakegeorgervpark.com; 518-792-3775. May 1 to October 12. $62 to $95. Indoor heated pool, playground, game room, recreation room.

The Lake George RV Park is a favorite for families who return to this region year after year. Large pull-thrus and paved sites are very big rig friendly. Indoor and outdoor heated pools are available for fun regardless of the weather, and a wading pool is great for little ones. Nonstop recreational opportunities are available, with tennis, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard, and bocce ball courts. Four playgrounds are spaced throughout the park. Hiking and biking trails can be accessed directly from the property, and there are two ponds for fishing and paddleboating.

The Bark Park is nice for those traveling with a dog. It features 2 acres (.8ha) of off-leash property.

2407 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946. topofthepark.bar; info@topofthepark.bar; 518-523-3632. Monday to Friday 3 P.M. to 12 A.M.; Saturday and Sunday 12 P.M. to 12 A.M. $10 to $30. Tapas.

When you’re vacationing in a region known for its stunning topography, you want good food with a fabulous view. Top of the Park offers both.

The focus here is on wine and spirits, but the small-plates menu highlights fresh ingredients and classic flavors, with offerings such as roast quail and smoked salmon. Marinated olives and the cheese plate make the perfect accompaniment to a poached Grey Goose martini.

33 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845. adkpub.com; 518-668-0002. Monday to Thursday and Sunday 12 P.M. to 9 P.M.; Friday and Saturday 12 P.M. to 10 P.M. $10 to $25. American.

Although the food here is good, the real star of the show is the beer. Five brews are available year round, including the award-winning Bear Naked Ale, Dirty Blond Ale, and Beaver Tail Brown Ale. You’ll find seasonal offerings like Rock the Boat Ale in the summer and an Octoberfest in the fall.

Before you eat, take a tour of the brewery, which operates year round. Then settle in at a cozy pub table to enjoy a pint with your meal. Seating on the outdoor patio is also nice.

Bar and grill favorites like the nachos, chicken wings, or spinach and artichoke dip are solid choices. Or venture out of the box and order the eggplant fries.

3502 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, NY 12845. 518-668-5703. Monday to Sunday 7:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. $9 to $20. Breakfast.

This is a favorite breakfast joint for Lake George visitors as well as locals. Meals are big and hearty, and the prices are reasonable. You might find a wait on the weekends, but service is friendly and efficient, and the food arrives promptly.

This company has been in operation since 1817 and is the classic way to tour Lake George. Two-hour lunch and dinner cruises run daily. There’s also a Sunday champagne brunch option.

One-hour cruises depart seven times a day and are perfect for families looking for a short cruise around the lake.

2634 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946. lpom.org; 518-302-5326. Monday to Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Adults $7; juniors $5; 6 and under free; Olympic Sites Passport $32.

Lake Placid hosted North America’s first Winter Olympics in 1932 and won another bid in 1980. Start your visit at the museum, where you can learn all about the history of the bobsled, skeleton, and luge and enjoy an exhibit on the hometown heroes Lake Placid has sent to other Olympics around the world.

The Olympic Sites Passport gives you access to both the museum and the entire Olympic venue. Take a ride on the Cloudsplitter Gondola, play a round of disc golf, tour the Olympic Sports Complex, and ride the elevator to the top of the 120-meter ski jump tower.

Lake George Visitor Center. lakegeorgeguide.com; 518-668-4887. Monday to Sunday 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

With so many amazing hiking trails in the Adirondack Mountains, it can be hard to decide which to explore. Visit the Lake George Visitor Center in the Lake George Village, and someone at the information center can help you plan your hikes. Another great resource is VisitAdirondacks.com, which offers free brochures, hiking maps, and downloadable trail guides.

Start your hiking adventures with the trail to Shelving Rock Falls, an easy scenic hike that delights all ages. Walk 1.6 miles (2.6km) out to the falls, and bring a change of clothes for after you’re done splashing.

Another favorite is Mount Jo, where 2.3 miles (3.7km) leads you along an interpretative trail and gives you spectacular views of the High Peaks Wilderness Area.

ITINERARIES

If you have 1 week …

Visit the Olympic Center and the Olympic Museum. Take a ride with the Lake George Steamboat Company. Hike the trail to Shelving Rock Falls and Mount Jo. Kayak on one of the lakes.

If you have 2 weeks …

All the above, plus visit Santa’s Workshop. Tour Fort Ticonderoga. Raft or tube through Ausable Chasm, the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks.” Spend at least a morning with the animals at the Wild Center. Hike Cascade Mountain and Beaver Meadow Falls. Bike the 9-mile (14.5km) wooded Warren County Bikeway.

If you have 3 weeks …

All the above, plus try mountain biking one of the introductory trails around Lake George. Rent stand-up paddleboards at Mirror Lake Boat Rental. Hike at Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center and Whiteface Landing. Attend the Painted Pony Rodeo and indulge in barbecue before the show.