Indian Lake blends the benefits of lakefront and mountain living
Named for its biggest lake, Indian Lake is a heavily forested town tucked into the mountains of Adirondack Park. The park’s 6 million acres are split between towns with privately owned land and protected public land intended to remain wild. Although there’s a suburban area ringing Indian Lake, most of the area is rural. Life revolves around the outdoors and the town’s classically slow country pace. “It’s just the view and the clean air and being out in the country with no traffic lights,” says Dawn Timm, the broker and owner of Timm Associates Sotheby’s International who has sold homes here for over 30 years. “We have no traffic lights in Hamilton County. It’s one of the largest counties in New York and the least populated. So it’s a different lifestyle. You get to know pretty much everyone in town.”
Boating on Indian and Blue Mountain lakes, hiking to mountain views
At 14 miles long, Indian Lake is much bigger than the town’s other major lake, Blue Mountain Lake, but both are big draws for residents and vacationers. Boating, kayaking, fishing and swimming are favorite activities in both lakes, which allow motorboats. Indian Lake is also a destination for white water rafters, who start off in the lake for a 17-mile gorge trip full of Class III and IV rapids. Camping and hiking are also popular in the town’s forests and mountains like Snowy Mountain near Indian Lake. “It’s not a high peak — in other words, it’s not over 4,000 feet high — but it is less than a hundred feet from being a high peak,” Timm says. “That’s a beautiful hike. You get a good perspective of the lake, and there’s a fire tower on top of it.” Blue Mountain is also covered in popular hiking paths. Hikes throughout the town often have uphill slopes, and some involve climbing or have interesting features like caves; whether they’re short or 5-mile treks, most end in beautiful, sweeping views.
Even after the weather turns cold, many people don’t stop enjoying the outdoors. “In the winter, we have snowmobile trails that connect to pretty much anywhere going in any direction,” Timm says, adding that although snowmobiles aren’t necessary transportation during winter, they’re a common sight around town. “Sometimes the kids will drive their snowmobiles to school, and you’ll see a bunch of snowmobiles lined up in the school parking lot.” Gore Mountain, a major skiing destination, is about 20 miles away.
Vacation or full-time homes with large lots or lakefront views
Adirondack-style houses, which blend the look of log cabins and cottages, are common in Indian Lake. Most are full of natural wood accents, and newer Adirondack houses often have modern influences in the form of large, prominent windows to take in lake or mountain views. Ranch-style houses are also common. Homes in the suburban area around Indian Lake typically have smaller lots, but most others sit on an acre or more. Fixer-uppers that don’t have central air conditioning, something that most vacation cabins lack, can sell for as low as $100,000. Most houses, however, start at just under $300,000 and max out at around $410,000 if they don’t have lakefront access. Lakefront homes with private docks don’t sell as often, but estimated values range from $550,000 to over $1 million.
Moose-related skills at the Great Adirondack Moose Festival
Every fall, the Great Adirondack Moose Festival draws 3,000 people for live music, local vendors and a jam-packed contest schedule. Among others, there’s a moose calling contest, moose scat counting contest and a dog costume contest. Smaller events also fill the year; the Poker Paddle blends poker and kayaking and Play Music on the Porch Day brings everyone together for live music.
Local restaurants and a theater, a trek for groceries
Most of the town’s restaurants are near its lakes. Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner has sandwiches, while Indian Lake Restaurant Tavern and Liquor Store is known for its bar and diverse menu. The town has a library and a popular museum, The Adirondack Experience, that focuses on the natural and cultural history of the Adirondacks. “And we have an art center in Blue Mountain and a theater in Indian Lake,” Timm says. “There are obviously movies that they run most of the summer, and sometimes they’ll have a performance or two on the stage.” A handful of convenience stores offer a few essentials in town, but it’s a 17-mile drive to Tops Friendly Markets for bigger grocery runs.
Small class sizes at Indian Lake Central School
Indian Lake Central School teaches every student from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It earns a C from Niche and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 6-to-1. The school’s extracurriculars include athletic teams, drama club and student council.
Winding state roads and a long drive to Glens Falls Hospital
Due to a lack of public transit in the area, Indian Lake is an entirely car-dependent community. State Route 26 and state Route 30 run through Indian Lake, connecting the community to other areas like Glens Falls, which is about 52 miles away. Although Indian Lake Health Center offers primary care right in the town, Glens Falls Hospital is the nearest hospital. The closest commercial airport is Albany International, about 100 miles south of Indian Lake.
Potential flooding risk due to storms
Like much of the lake-spotted Hamilton County, heavy rain can lead to flooding concerns in Indian Lake.
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Written By
Christina Norwood
