Boating, Biking & Beyond: Find the Best Things to Do in Brant Lake, NY
Located near the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness in the Adirondack Park, Brant Lake is a small hamlet tucked away in northern Warren County. Brant Lake shares its name with the 5-mile long lake at the heart of the community, which attracts fishermen, boaters, paddlers, and families to the area each year. Whether you're interested in a day on the water, a new hiking trail, or one of the most scenic drives in the Lake George Region, Brant Lake is the place to be.
Swim at the Beach and Spend a Day in Brant Lake
Open seasonally during the summer, the public beach at Brant Lake is a small beach located across the street from the Horicon Volunteer Fire Department at the southern end of the lake. The beach features a swim platform and a roped swimming area, and there is no entry fee.
Bring the family and enjoy sunbathing on the sandy shoreline or going for a refreshing swim. From the beach, you'll be able to see a cool stone fountain spraying water into the lake. Although parking is not allowed on the road along the beach, parking spots are available behind the nearby Horicon Community Center.
If you'd like to check out the community while you're there, you can get some food and drinks at The Hub, a popular bike shop and restaurant in Brant Lake. Or, drive down the road a short distance to The Lazy Moose Garden Market, which offers deli food, coffee, gifts and souvenirs, and more.
Take a Driving Tour of This Scenic Region
The hamlet of Brant Lake is known for its campgrounds, summer camps, historical museum, and natural scenery. It's well worth planning a road trip to Brant Lake just for the views, whether you're in the mood to drive around the lake or along the shoreline and through the mountains on NY-8.
For a particularly scenic drive, we suggest beginning in Bolton Landing and following these directions:
- From Bolton Landing, head northwest on Bolton Landing-Riverbank Road.
- Get on the Adirondack Northway at Exit 24, then drive north and get off at Exit 25.
- Drive east on NY-8 and follow the Brant Lake shoreline. Continue past the lake as the road becomes Graphite Mountain Road.
- Stay on this road until you reach Hague and the intersection with Route 9N. Turn right and follow Route 9N south back to Bolton Landing.
At the end of your trip, celebrate with a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, such as Tavern on the Lake at Blue Water Manor, the Algonquin Restaurant, or Frederick's Restaurant & Lounge.
See Why the Lake Is a Hotspot for Boating, Paddling, and Fishing
One of the best ways to experience this Adirondack lake is on the water, and boating, paddling, and fishing are all permitted and fun ways to spend the day.
Boating
If you own a boat and are ready to travel across Brant Lake, then you should head to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) public boat launch. Located at the intersection of NY-8 and Co Rd 26, the boat launch is a hard surface ramp with parking for about 11 vehicles and trailers. There is no fee to access or use the boat launch, and it's typically open from spring into fall.
Need a boat for the day? You can rent one in Brant Lake at either Palmer Bros Marina or EZ Marine & Storage.
Paddling
Kayaking and canoeing on Brant Lake are two more fun activities you can do during the warmer months. The main access point on the lake for paddlers is the DEC public boat launch. Or, you can enter the lake farther south at the canoe/kayak launch on New Street. You'll find parking close to the water at this launch.
Canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals are available nearby in Bolton Landing at the Lake George Kayak Company. There are other companies in the Lake George Region that offer rentals as well.
Fishing
Don't forget your fishing rod and tackle box when you visit Brant Lake. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow and brown trout, and some of the other fish you can catch include largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, yellow perch, rock bass, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. If you come during winter, you can test your skills at ice fishing.
The Trails Await! Explore Brant Lake on Foot or by Bike
The Brant Lake area is an excellent place to visit for off-the-water activities too. You can go hiking and biking on trails throughout the community, and we've highlighted some recommended ones below.
Biking Trails
Discover an exhilarating mountain biking adventure at the Brant Lake Bike Park. This is a professionally built singletrack trail system designed for mountain biking, and it's conveniently located behind The Hub. The Bike Park is free and open to the public, and it covers 3.5 miles over 200 acres.
Or, hit the road and bike your way along the 14.7-mile Brant Lake Loop. This scenic road ride also begins at The Hub, and it brings bikers around the entire lake and back. See a map »
Hiking Trails
Want to see some spectacular views of Brant Lake? Go to the Bartonville Mountain Hiking Trail, an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile round trip hike that begins at The Hub in Brant Lake. Parking is available next to The Hub, and the trailhead is behind the shop.
For a longer hike, plan a trip to the nearby Lily Pond and Round Pound. This 5.2-mile round-trip hike features fairly easy terrain, but it can be muddy during periods of wet weather. See a map »
Another option is to head north toward the vast Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. The wilderness area contains a wide variety of trails, including the Pharaoh Lake Trail, which starts off of Pharaoh Road in Brant Lake.
The Brant Lake area has a lot to offer visitors, and it's just a 20-minute drive north of Lake George Village. Hop in the car and enjoy your next boating, biking, or outdoor adventure in Brant Lake.