Cat and Thomas Mountain Preserve
Exhilarating hikes with stunning Lake George views and challenging rocky terrain. Explore unmarked spurs for extra adventure.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Cat and Thomas Mountain Preserve
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Exhilarating hikes with stunning Lake George views and challenging rocky terrain. Explore unmarked spurs for extra adventure.
"Great views from Cat and hitting Thomas on the way down offers a fun experience through the woods and minor rock scrambles."
🎯 Choose Your Trailhead Wisely
Multiple trailheads exist; confirm yours beforehand to avoid getting lost.
🥾 Gear Up for Rocky Terrain
Sturdy hiking boots are essential for steep, rocky paths.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 206 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Cat Mountain Overlook
Cat Mountain
Potentially the best view of Lake George, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas.
Thomas Mountain Spur
Thomas Mountain
An unmarked but rewarding 1.1-mile round trip spur with awesome views, worth the extra effort.
The Loop Trail
Preserve-wide
An exhilarating 8.2-mile loop with significant elevation gain and fun rock scrambles.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Trailhead Smarts
Tackle the Terrain
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Cat Mountain quickie today! Just up the hill from Bolton Landing.
Cat is a nice hike with some stupendous views. Thomas Mountain has OK views but they are obviously artificial- trees were cut (when it was privately owned) to make the views. Now that's forest preserve, the views are slowly doing to disappear over the next decade or two as…
🎯 Choose Your Trailhead Wisely
Multiple trailheads exist; confirm yours beforehand to avoid getting lost.
🥾 Gear Up for Rocky Terrain
Sturdy hiking boots are essential for steep, rocky paths.
Lake George Trails?
Hi all, I'm visiting the Lake George area for the first time, does anyone have any recommendations for any nice hiking trails? Beach recommendations? I am also staying close by to Lake Luzerne. Any suggestions for that area would be great too. Thank you so much!
Mountain hike around Lake George suitable for a mostly-first timer?
Hi everyone, my partner and I will be going to Lake George soon -- this will be my second time visiting. I unfortunately was not able to do any of the hikes that Lake George had to offer due to time constraints and lack of interest from the people I traveled with when I visited…
💧 Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, especially for the longer loop and uphill climbs.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Adventure
This is a great hike for active dogs, but be mindful of the terrain.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Choose Your Trailhead Wisely
Multiple trailheads exist; confirm yours beforehand to avoid getting lost.
🥾 Gear Up for Rocky Terrain
Sturdy hiking boots are essential for steep, rocky paths.
💧 Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, especially for the longer loop and uphill climbs.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Adventure
This is a great hike for active dogs, but be mindful of the terrain.
🗺️ Explore the Unmarked Spur
Don't miss the 1.1-mile spur to Thomas Mountain top; it's not on all maps!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the stunning views from Cat and Thomas Mountains, calling them 'outstanding' and 'awesome.' The challenging, rocky terrain and significant elevation gain on the loop trail are noted as exhilarating, making it a great hike for active individuals and dogs. However, some find the terrain quite steep and rocky, and ensuring you start at the correct trailhead is crucial.
"I am so focused on the high peaks, that I have forgotten about some of the other great hikes in NY. Great views from Cat and hitting Thomas on the way down from Cat offers a fun experience thru the woods and minor rock scrambles. Overall a great hike. Good hike for active dogs!"
MA Razcmed
"Nice short hike good for a day trip. The loop takes about two hours. not too difficult but some parts can be steep. the view of lake george is nice tho and there is also a nice lake near the base of the mountain"
M
"Outstanding trail in Bolton NY. Long loop with two extended spurs. Total hike was 8.2 miles with 1620 ft of elevation gain. Some serious uphill and rock scrambles. Very rocky. But, laid out well. After Thomas Mountain overlook, there is a 1.1 mile RT spur to top of Thomas Mountain that is not shown on trail map on internet. Definitely worth taking. First uphill to Thomas Mountain is 577 ft elevation change over very rocky terrain. Mostly tree covered, so sun not a real issue. But, bring plenty of water. Took us about 4 hrs to complete the loop. Highly recommended!!!"
William Lieberman
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The preserve has multiple trailheads. It's crucial to identify the correct one for your planned hike, as they are not always clearly indicated online. Hadley Mountain, a similar hike, is near Lake Luzerne if you're in that area.
Yes, parking is available at the various trailheads. However, it's advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a spot.
While GPS can help, it's recommended to have a trail map or understand the area beforehand, as some trailheads might be less obvious.
From Lake George Village, you'll typically drive north on US-9 and then follow local roads towards Bolton Landing. Specific directions will depend on your chosen trailhead.
Public transportation options are limited in this more rural area. Driving is the most practical way to reach the preserve.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to the Cat and Thomas Mountain Preserve is generally free, as it's a public land area.
As a natural preserve, it's typically open from dawn to dusk. There are no official 'opening' or 'closing' times like a typical park.
There is no entrance fee required to hike the trails at Cat and Thomas Mountain Preserve.
No, time slot bookings are not required or available for this natural preserve. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Typically, no permits are needed for day hiking in the Cat and Thomas Mountain Preserve. Always check local regulations if planning extended stays or group events.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The hikes range from moderate to difficult. The loop trail involves significant uphill climbs and rocky terrain, with some steep sections.
The loop trail, covering about 8.2 miles with considerable elevation gain, can take around 4 hours to complete for most hikers.
While the main trails are laid out well, some spurs might not be clearly marked on all online maps. It's wise to have a physical map or download an offline map.
You can expect beautiful scenery, including a nice view of Lake George from the Cat Mountain overlook, and awesome views from the Thomas Mountain spur. +1
Yes, it's considered a great hike for active dogs due to the varied terrain and length.
📸 📸 Photography
The Cat Mountain overlook offers potentially the best views of Lake George. The spur trail to the top of Thomas Mountain also provides awesome photo opportunities. +1
Absolutely. The elevated viewpoints provide excellent opportunities for capturing sweeping landscape photos of the surrounding area and Lake George.
Mornings often offer softer light and fewer crowds, while late afternoons can provide beautiful golden hour lighting. Consider the sun's position relative to your desired shots.
Beyond the vistas, the rocky terrain, forest canopy, and potential wildlife sightings can make for interesting close-up or nature photography.
For personal photography, no special permit is typically required. Commercial or professional shoots might need authorization, so check local guidelines.
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