Lake George Beach State Park
Lake George, New York · on Lake George · Lake George Beach
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lake George Beach State Park
This location on the western shore of Lake George in the Town of Lake George, NY is a small municipal swimming beach commonly called Usher Park Beach (officially Delong-Usher Park), not a separate New York State park unit; it does not appear in the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's park directory. It is a free, lifeguard-supervised natural lake swimming hole on Route 9L, a short distance north of the village's larger Million Dollar Beach.
The park sits on a hillside above the shoreline of Lake George along NY Route 9L, just north of Beach Drive and Million Dollar Beach in the Town of Lake George. A path descends the hill from the parking/park area down to the water's edge, where a small sandy beach frontage opens onto the lake.
Swimming at Lake George Beach State Park
Swimming is in Lake George itself, in a designated, lifeguarded shallow-water area described by New York's official tourism site as 'small and shallow', well suited to parents with young children and calmer/quieter than the village's busier beaches (Million Dollar Beach, Shepard Park). It is not a deep-water or cliff-jump type spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Lake George Village, head north on NY Route 9L past Million Dollar Beach; the park (address 3836 NY-9L, Lake George, NY 12845) is just north of Beach Drive, on the west side of the road.
Parking: On-site park parking atop a hill above the beach, connected to the shoreline by a descending path (per lakegeorge.com).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up municipal beach, not a hike-in spot. A short, steep downhill path (roughly 1-2 minutes on foot) connects the on-site parking lot to the beach; no trail research needed since access is direct from parking.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
New York's official tourism site (iloveny.com) describes the beach as 'small and shallow' and quieter/calmer than Lake George's main village beaches (Million Dollar Beach, Shepard Park), explicitly suited to parents with young children; swimming is lifeguard-supervised during posted beach hours. The one caution is the steep hill path connecting the parking area down to the beach, which parents should supervise kids on.
Parking
Lot
On-site park parking lot sits atop a hill above the lake; a descending path connects the lot to the beach (per lakegeorge.com). No source found stating a parking fee, so cost/paid status is unconfirmed (beach admission itself is free per iloveny.com).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed among on-site park facilities (per lakegeorge.com's facility rundown for the park/beach), alongside pavilions and playground; exact location within the park (e.g., near pavilions vs. beach) not specified in sources found.
Water clarity
Clear
No beach-specific clarity report was found, but this is the same body of water as the rest of Lake George, which has a strong, well-documented reputation for clarity: Thomas Jefferson called it 'water limpid as crystal' in 1791, the lake carries a Class AA-Special rating from NY State (drinking-water quality), and it has ranked among the 10 cleanest lakes in the US in 2023-2024 per the Jefferson Project (IBM/RPI) monitoring program. No visitor discussion of this particular beach's water was located despite searching.
Hours
Park hours roughly 8am-8pm daily; beach swimming hours roughly 9:30am-6pm, seasonal (about late June through Labor Day) and contingent on a lifeguard being on duty (per lakegeorge.com and iloveny.com).
On the water
No source found confirming that visitors may launch personal kayaks/canoes/paddleboards/motorboats directly from this beach (it is described strictly as a swimming beach in all sources reviewed, with no boat launch or watercraft mention). Lake George broadly does support all of these craft via marinas and public launches elsewhere on the lake, but that access is not confirmed at this specific park, so left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
Rentals nearby
Single kayak, tandem kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and 2-person paddle boat rentals
Prices: Single kayak $29/hr; tandem kayak $45/hr; paddleboard $29/hr; paddle boat $59/hr (plus tax)
22 Lake Ave., Lake George Village, NY 12845 (at Shore Meadows Lodge), roughly 1 mile from Usher Park Beach · Open daily 9am-6pm, weather permitting
Pontoon boat rentals (up to 12 passengers); described as the only pontoon-rental business in Lake George Village
Lake George Village, NY, roughly 1 mile from Usher Park Beach
Kayak and canoe rentals plus stand-up paddleboards; guided paddling trips
5 Boathouse Lane, Bolton Landing, NY 12814, roughly 9 miles north of Usher Park Beach · Seasonal (roughly spring through fall); check current hours by phone (518-644-9366)
Backstory
Locally, the park's fuller name is 'Delong-Usher Park' per Post-Star coverage; it functions as a Town of Lake George community park hosting events such as family movie nights, in addition to its beach.
Lake George Beach State Park: FAQ
Does Lake George Beach State Park charge a fee?
Free admission to the beach (per iloveny.com); pavilions can be reserved through the Town of Lake George recreation office (518-668-5722), reservation fee not specified in sources found.
Is Lake George Beach State Park kid friendly?
New York's official tourism site (iloveny.com) describes the beach as 'small and shallow' and quieter/calmer than Lake George's main village beaches (Million Dollar Beach, Shepard Park), explicitly suited to parents with young children; swimming is lifeguard-supervised during posted beach hours. The one caution is the steep hill path connecting the parking area down to the beach, which parents should supervise kids on.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake George Beach State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake George Beach State Park?
On-site park parking lot sits atop a hill above the lake; a descending path connects the lot to the beach (per lakegeorge.com). No source found stating a parking fee, so cost/paid status is unconfirmed (beach admission itself is free per iloveny.com).
When is the best time to visit Lake George Beach State Park?
Summer, seasonal beach operation roughly late June through Labor Day; beach hours about 9:30am-6pm, park hours about 8am-8pm daily (per lakegeorge.com and lakegeorgechamber.com).
What are the rules at Lake George Beach State Park?
Swimming is permitted only when a lifeguard is on duty; fires are restricted to designated grills.
What water body is Lake George Beach State Park on?
Lake George Beach State Park is on Lake George, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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