The Northwest Bay Trail is a 10 mile hike along Lake George, leading to Montcalm Point and camping areas
Northwest Bay Trail
5 miles (10 miles round trip)
Lake George Wild Forest
Bolton, Warren County
Hiking, Snowshoeing
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Northwest Bay Trail
The 5-mile Northwest Bay Trail wraps along the east side of Northwest Bay, north of Bolton Landing, to Montcalm Point. The trail is located on the public Forest Preserve in the Lake George Wild Forest Area. Montcalm Point at the end of the trail is a beautiful spot, with grand views of Lake George, plenty of opportunities to dip tired feet (or more) in the water, and nearby campsites for an overnight trip. The trail is easy to follow and clearly marked.
The Northwest Bay Trail is accessed off of Route 9N, north of Bolton Landing, also known as Lake Shore Drive. The Clay Meadows parking lot in on the right. From the parking lot, walk south about fifty feet to the trailhead, which leads up to the Tongue Mountain Range (left) and the Northwest Bay Trail (right). The trail is well maintained, with only a couple of muddy spots over close to five miles. The trail is gentle the whole way and traverses a few rolling hills.
The first mile of the Northwest Bay Trail has quite a bit of uphill, but after that, it flattens out. After the first mile and a half, the trail comes out of the woods, where it had followed along a stream, and is lakeside following along the east shore of Northwest Bay on Lake George. The trail winds back and forth to and from the shoreline. It passes over a number of small bridges, crossing over streams that drain into the lake. There are a number of spots with open views of the water and a multitude of boaters nearby on hot days. One spot even has a small bench and beach area.
Montcalm Point
Near the end of the trail, with less than half a mile remaining, there is a trail junction. The trail to the Tongue Mountain Range Trail splits off to the left. Hikers can climb up Tongue Mountain and make a giant 10-mile loop back to the parking area at Clay Meadows.
Montcalm Point is another 0.5 miles south on the trail. There are campsites near the point. Montcalm Point offers dramatic and sweeping shoreline views of Lake George, with grand views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
The return trip follows the same route used to hike in.
The trip can be done in coordination with the Tongue Mountain hike. Click here to read about the Tongue Mountain Trail.
Click here for a map and directions to the Northwest Bay Trail.
When You Hike Make Sure to Practice “Leave No Trace” to be Prepared and to Protect the Forest Preserve
Please follow “carry in, carry out” rules for all trash and follow other Leave No Trace principles when hiking in the public Forest Preserve and other wild areas. The seven Leave No Trace principles are: 1) Plan ahead and prepare; 2) Stay on hiking trails and camp at designated areas; 3) Dispose of human waste and trash properly; 4) Leave what you find; 5) Minimize campfires; 6) Respect wildlife; 7) Respect other hikers.
Educated hikers do not damage the environment. Prepared hikers do not need search and rescue unless injured.
Winter Use: Northwest Bay Trail is used for snowshoeing in the winter.
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