Blue Mountain Lake, New York, USA

Most repeat visitors to the Adirondack Region will eventually make a visit to Blue Mountain Lake. One of the premier vacation destinations in the six million acre Adirondack Park, the Blue Lake region has attracted visitors since the 1800s. The magnates of banking and industry retreated here to their massive Great Lodges to fish, hunt, sail and enjoy the pristine waters of Blue Mountain Lake and neighboring…
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    • All About Blue Mountain Lake, NY

    Lake Locations: USA - US Mid-Atlantic Region - New York - Adirondacks Region, NY -

    Most repeat visitors to the Adirondack Region will eventually make a visit to Blue Mountain Lake. One of the premier vacation destinations in the six million acre Adirondack Park, the Blue Lake region has attracted visitors since the 1800s. The magnates of banking and industry retreated here to their massive Great Lodges to fish, hunt, sail and enjoy the pristine waters of Blue Mountain Lake and neighboring Indian Lake. The lakeshore is lightly developed with rustic resorts and beautifully-restored Great Lodge-style vacation rentals dotted along the wooded shoreline. In many ways, Blue Mountain Lake still looks out on vistas very similar to those enjoyed when the Vanderbilts were in summer residence at nearby Sagamore Lake. Rustic lodges look out over 1,280 acres of clear blue water to Blue Mountain rising on the eastern shore. Loons call in the morning mist, and feeding fish dapple the lake’s surface.

    Swimming, sailing, boating, canoeing and kayaking occupy many hours of the day. Those so inclined can also enjoy pontooning, water skiing, wake-boarding, tubing and paddle-boating. Many visitors take one of the scenic tours available on original 1916 launches to view Blue Mountain Lake and its two adjoining lakes: Eagle and Utowana. The clean water of Blue Mountain Lake is a favorite for swimming or sunbathing from a sandy beach. A large number of vacation rentals are available, both private residences and resorts. Nearly every property has the expected deck holding the customary Adirondack-style lawn chairs overlooking the lake.

    Fishing is always a popular activity on Blue Mountain Lake. The water holds smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, northern pike, black crappie, perch, chain pickerel, sunfish and pumpkinseed. Brook trout are also present, requiring special fishing regulations for the lake. Regulation booklets are usually available wherever fishing licenses are sold. Ten islands on the lake are a part of Adirondack Park and thus available for public use. Fishing is especially good along their isolated shorelines. Fly fishing is popular in the shallows and at the mouths of streams draining into the lake. Several marinas along the shore provide boat rental and launch facilities along with tackle and bait. Ice fishing is allowed on Blue Mountain Lake. The local Fish and Game Club holds an annual ice fishing derby for members.

    One of the bigger attractions to Blue Mountain Lake is the Adirondacks Museum on the east shore just outside of the tiny village of Blue Mountain Lake. The museum complex showcases Adirondack architecture, furniture, boats and lifestyle exhibits from the surrounding area. The complex offers a cafe, arts center and even lodging opportunities. Open from May to October, the museum complex will likely require more than one visit to fully appreciate everything it has to offer. The museum also has wireless internet available, something of a magnet to those suffering from technology withdrawal. In keeping with their rustic persona, some vacation rentals choose not to provide modern amenities such as televisions, radios or telephones.

    Blue Mountain Lake has far more to offer than just water sports and fishing. Blue Mountain itself is one of the most-climbed peaks in Adirondack Park. A short, steep 2+-mile hike takes climbers to the summit 3,759 feet above sea level. Those wishing even more spectacular views often climb the Blue Mountain fire tower. The observation booth provides breathtaking views of several lakes and many peaks, including Mount Marcy and Snowy Mountain. Rustic camping is available both on the park islands and at 138-acre Castle Rock on the north shore. The Northville – Lake Placid Trail, a New York state hiking trail, passes nearby, and several snowmobiles criss-cross the area. These provide cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even mountain biking in selected areas. Forest preserves and national park lands within the Adirondacks Park offer a wealth of opportunities for wildlife viewing, secluded trout streams and even whitewater rafting. A good guidebook is a must for exploring all that the park has to offer.

    The area around Blue Mountain Lake became a fashionable resort destination beginning in 1878 when a stage line was completed. Thomas A Edison was one of the early regular visitors. He wired the Prospect House for electricity, making it the first hotel in the world to feature electric lighting. The grand hotel featured 300 rooms and hosted such famed citizens as Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Jay Gould and Louis Tiffany. The spectacular hotel is gone now, but several other famous hotels still exist as resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and private homes. The little village of Blue Mountain Lake is well-supplied with artisan shops offering unique and eclectic shopping opportunities. The village is home to the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, offering year round theatre and music performances, art galleries, workshops and classes. Only 14 miles away, Great Camp Sagamore National Historic Landmark preserves the 27-building estate of the Vanderbilts. Local craftsmen demonstrate traditional Adirondack skills among the workshops on the estate. And surrounding it all is the stunningly beautiful scenery of the Adirondack woods and mountains – especially beautiful in the autumn.

    Vacation rentals at Blue Mountain Lake are plentiful and exist as cottages, resort hotels and self-catering cabins and homes. Finding real estate along the lakefront may be difficult as these properties often stay in the same family for generations. There are usually a few properties on nearby lakes for sale, and year-round rentals are always possible. Blue Mountain Lake is the true heart of the Adirondacks and mustn’t be missed. Make a visit soon. You’ll feel the magnetic call of Blue Mountain Lake and once experienced, you will just have to return!

    Things to Do at Blue Mountain Lake NY

    These are some activities in the Blue Mountain Lake, NY area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Water Skiing
    • Tubing
    • Camping
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Park
    • Museum
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Blue Mountain Lake NY?

    Blue Mountain Lake NY has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Bluegill
    • Brook Trout
    • Chain Pickerel
    • Crappie
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Pumpkinseed
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Blue Mountain Lake NY

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    More Sites to Book a Blue Mountain Lake NY Vacation

    Our interactive Blue Mountain Lake NY lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Blue Mountain Lake NY Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 1,280 acres

    Shoreline Length: 9 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,790 feet

    Average Depth: 25 feet

    Maximum Depth: 100 feet

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

    Blue Mountain Lake NY Map
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