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Lake Champlain Region

The Lake Champlain Region, better known as the Adirondack Coast, serves as the eastern border of the Adirondacks. Gaze across Lake Champlain at the Green Mountains of Vermont with the Adirondack High Peaks at your back. Set sail on the water, cast your lines, or explore unique historic sites. Wild forest meets farmland in this picturesque landscape, and every season brings new breathtaking views for you to enjoy.

lake sunset

Big adventures await in the Lake Champlain Region. Take to the water on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country and cast your line for a chance to reel in a legendary catch. Step back in history by exploring one of the region’s historic sites, or stroll through lakeside towns and villages to discover creative dining made with locally-sourced ingredients. Wake up in a cozy lakeshore accommodation and watch mist rise off the lake, or relax with a drink and watch the region’s spectacular sunsets set the sky ablaze with brilliant color. It’s a slice of Adirondack heaven you must see to believe.

Lake Champlain Boating

The largest of the Adirondack lakes, Lake Champlain provides some of the best boating in New York. Once considered the sixth Great Lake, Lake Champlain stretches 125 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 400 feet. Its immense size accommodates boats of all sizes, from motorboats to luxury pontoons, sailboats, and even barges! Put in your own vessel or rent one from a local marina. Man-powered watercraft can launch at a number of public boat launches and enjoy miles of paddling along varied shoreline. Gaze up at the towering Palisades, sheer rock cliffs that plunge straight down into the deep water, or take in views of both the Adirondack and the Green Mountains. Guided tours are a great way to learn more about the history of the area or share a romantic experience. Discover what the Great Lake of the Adirondacks has in store for you!

Kayakers on a lake

Lake Champlain Region Fishing

With big water comes big fish. Lake Champlain is home to many of the region’s largest catches, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, and landlocked salmon. In fact, the Bassmaster Tournament Series consistently ranks Lake Champlain in its top 100 bass fisheries! When winter covers the lake with a thick sheet of ice, erect a hut, cut a hole, and keep on fishing! Ice fishing is a popular winter activity in the Lake Champlain Region, and the fish keep biting all year long. Even if you don’t reel in a catch worthy of a big fish story, you’ll enjoy a scenic day on the water. And, according to local legend, you might catch sight of Lake Champlain’s very own underwater monster – Champy!

Man holding caught fish

Historic Sites in the Lake Champlain Region

History buffs will find a lot to marvel over in the Lake Champlain Region. Lake Champlain played an important role in much of America's earliest history. Battles from three wars – the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812 – were fought on its banks and waters. With wars come forts, and since Lake Champlain controlled much of the trade up and down the St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers, building forts on the lake was a key strategy move. Three major forts were built on the shores of Lake Champlain - Fort St. Frederic, Fort Ticonderoga and His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point. Only the foundation remains of the French Fort St. Frederic.  The British fort at Crown Point is in ruins and the reconstructed Fort Ticonderoga is one of the best preserved forts in the country.

Champy historic sign

Visit the Lake Champlain Region