Beautiful spring-fed Lake George is the beating heart of the southeastern Adirondacks. The area around the 32-miles-long lake -- particularly the kitschy village of Lake George -- teems with fun-seeking tourists in the summer and fall foliage season, but it shuts down the rest of the year. Nearby, less commercial Bolton Landing is also busy, but the smaller lakes to the west -- Schroon, Brandt, and Luzerne -- are considerably quieter. To the northeast, the Champlain Valley, too, is less developed, and more bucolic. Route 28, the only east-west road in the region, takes you past tiny villages, the magnificent Fulton Chain of Lakes, and over into Old Forge, which also bustles with activity. It's about 90 miles from Lake George to Old Forge; but it's a beautiful drive (as are all the drives in the park). The areas around Raquette, Blue Mountain, and Indian lakes are particularly charming, with laid-back towns and serene lakes. The southwestern section of the park stays partially open in the winter to accommodate the thousands of snowmobilers who power through here each year. Enter the park via Route 30 and you'll pass the huge Great Sacandaga Lake, along with even more tiny villages and lakes.
