SEE

Take your next birding trip to the Ticonderoga region. The entire American east coast is part of the Atlantic Flyway, a massive corridor with diverse ecosystems of migratory and non-migratory birds. It may be best known for the migration of Canada geese flying south every fall and returning north in the late spring and early summer, a beautiful and dramatic display worth seeing in both seasons. Many of the walking and hiking trails around Ticonderoga also provide great places to go birding or in the winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski some of these trails instead. A guide or tour is one of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to the Ticonderoga region.
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Ticonderoga & Surrounding Towns

Fort Ticonderoga Birding

While the Fort may be known best for its historical significance, it’s also a great place to go birding, especially in the fall and spring while migrating raptors fly through this region. 100 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, New York, 12883. 866-843-5253.   

  • Types of Birds: 
  • Scarlet tanager
  • Rose-breasted grosbeaks
  • Baltimore Orioles
  • Many others

    Gull Bay

    This wetland nature preserve settled shoreline of Lake George is a good spot to see a variety of birds, including the majestic blue heron and other waterfowl.

    • Gull Bay/Last Great Shoreline Bird Report 
    • Types of Birds: 
    • Black and White Warbler 
    • Red-Winged Black Bird
    • Eastern Kingbird 
    • Many others 

          Crown Point Bird Conservation Area

          Crown Point Bird Conservation Area: More than 180 species of birds have been spotted at the Crown Point Bird Conservation Area and it’s an especially great place to watch for migratory birds in the spring. Map of Crown Point BCA.

           

          • Vermont: Just across the Champlain Bridge, western Vermont has lots of wildlife refuges and nature preserves perfect for a birding trip into the Green Mountain State from Ticonderoga. For more information head to the Vermont Bird Reports.

              Dead Creek Wildlife Area

              Dead Creek Wildlife Area Visitor’s Center: A good place to start to learn about the management and conservation of the Dead Creek Wildlife Area and access information and resources about birding. 966 VT-17, Addison, VT 05491. 802-759-2398.

               

              • Types of Birds:
              • Ducks
              • Snow Geese
              • Hawks & Falcons
              • Chimney Point State Park, Addison, VT: Just across the Champlain Bridge is Chimney Point State Park, right on the water, it’s a great place to see many different breeds of ducks and other waterfowl. 31 VT-17, Addison, VT 05491.

                    Chimney Point State Park

                    Addison, VT: Just across the Champlain Bridge is Chimney Point State Park, right on the water, it’s a great place to see many different breeds of ducks and other waterfowl. 31 VT-17, Addison, VT 05491.

                          Lake George falls under two birding regions in New York

                          • Essex County: Adirondack-Champlain 
                          • Northern New York Audubon Society
                          • Contact: Contact: [email protected]
                          • Warren, etc.: Hudson-Mohawk
                          • Contact: Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, [email protected] 
                          • Website: has a list of places to see birds + list of birds seen by this club  

                              Birding Groups in Ticonderoga Region

                              • Adirondack Birding Facebook Page
                              • Otter Creek Audubon Society  
                              • New York State Ornithological Association 

                              Tours

                              Adirondack Avian Expeditions: Create an Adirondack-birding adventure all your own. Go birding while hiking, canoeing, camping, or snowshoeing. Book your trip.

                              Helpful Links & Info

                              • Birding checklist of NY
                              • Where to report bird sightings via National Audubon Website
                              • Common Birds of the Lake George Watershed checklist & Endangered and Non-Endangered Lake George Birds
                              • American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics

                              Three Perfect Days of Birding

                              Day 1: Local Birds & Local History

                              Learn about Ticonderoga’s history and spy some local birds in the Ticonderoga region at Carillon Point. Carillon Point rises out of the La Chute River Delta and is a 28-acre marshy peninsula. The National Audubon Society has named it one of the best bird-watching areas in the Adirondacks. 

                              • Types of Birds: 
                              • Scarlet tanagers
                              • Rose-breasted grosbeaks
                              • Baltimore Orioles
                              • Many others 
                              • Enjoy a meal at America’s Fort Cafe or walk around the King’s Garden. 
                              • 100 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, New York, 12883. 866-843-5253.

                              Day 2: Day Trip to Vermont

                              Go to the Crown Point Bird Conservation Area, and walk through the historic site, and cross over the Champlain Bridge and go to the Dead Creek Wildlife Area. 

                              • Types of Birds: 
                              • Ducks 
                              • Snow Geese 
                              • Hawks & Falcons
                              • Get snacks and a packed lunch for any of these local Ticonderoga eateries (link to accommodations & dining page)!

                              Day 3: Gull Bay Day

                              Finish your trip at Gull Bay, where you may just see a bald eagle. This marsh is the perfect place to watch the migrations of Canadian Geese either in the spring or fall. 

                              • Types of Birds: 
                              • Black and White Warbler 
                              • Red-Winged Black Bird
                              • Eastern Kingbird 
                              • Many others 
                              • Finish off your day with a burger and some classic Americana at Burleigh’s Luncheonette. 

                              Tour Boats/Guides/Charters

                              Justy Joe Charters

                              Justy Joe and his crew offer comfortable fishing charter services for Lake George from April to November. 877-249-7472

                                Lake George Steamboat Company

                                Mohican Full Lake Cruise: The only complete tour of Lake George, starting and ending on the southern end of Lake George (Lake George Village), and is. Cruise between the Adirondack Mountains, tree-covered islands, and the unspoiled beauty of Lake George. The Fall Foliage Tours are not to be missed. For reservations, call 518-668-5777, extension four.

                                  Lake George Island Boat Tours

                                  Enjoy an afternoon cruise through the beautiful islands around Lake George. Tours are available from May through October. 518-469-8745. [email protected].  

                                    Lake George Shoreline Cruises

                                    Enjoy a peaceful, narrated tour of the shorelines of southern Lake George in one of five enclosed boats, including a wooden Horicon on the Historical National Register. 2 Kurosaka Lane, Lake George, NY 12845. 518-668-4644, [email protected]

                                      The Sagamore Resort, Lake George Boat Tour

                                      Enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise aboard The Morgan, a 72-foot replica of a 19th-century wooden touring ship. Reservations: 866-384-1944.

                                        Hooks-N-Horns

                                        A guide service for fishing, hunting, and hiking in the Adirondack region. 518-654-6812.

                                          Adirondack Mountain & Stream Guide Service

                                          Provides guide services for all four seasons, with a range of activities including hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. 518-251-3762

                                            Adirondack Mountain Club

                                            This website offers a lot of resources and is a club that you can purchase guided hikes and backpacking trips

                                              Adirondack Flying Service

                                              View the unparalleled beauty of Lake George from above! Lake Placid Airways, 27 Airport Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946. 518-523-2473, [email protected].

                                                Adirondack Avian Expeditions

                                                Create an Adirondack-birding adventure all your own. Go birding while hiking, canoeing, camping, or snowshoeing. Book your trip.

                                                  LGA’s Floating Classroom

                                                  The Lake George Association promotes the protection of Lake George through ecotourism education on the ‘Floating Classroom’. This two-hour tour runs all summer and is a great activity for every age. Learn how to measure water clarity, catch zooplankton, measure water pH levels, and the water temperature, and about how Lake George was formed thousands of years ago. This tour is free, but you must reserve your spot on the boat. 518-668-3558 or [email protected].

                                                    Culture/Arts

                                                    Fort Ticonderoga

                                                    Step back into Ticonderoga’s historic past at the fully immersive Fort Ticonderoga. Enjoy the regularly scheduled daily programs, reenactments, a boat cruise, and museum exhibitions and a stunning panoramic view of Lake Champlain. You can take a leisurely stroll through King’s Garden or get a bite at the America’s Fort Cafe. The Fort is open all year, check out their calendar for seasonal events and festivals.

                                                      Hancock House

                                                      This house is a replica of Hancock Manor, which belonged to Thomas Hancock (uncle of John Hancock) and sat on Beacon Hill in Boston. It was donated by prominent Ticonderoga philanthropist, Horace Moses in the 19th Century and serves as a museum dedicated to the region’s rich history and culture. It is open year-round

                                                        Ticonderoga Heritage Museum & Visitor Center

                                                        The last surviving structure from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company, which serves as a museum to Ticonderoga’s industrial past. The museum operates from Labor Day to Columbus Day with free admission.

                                                          Ticonderoga Historical Society

                                                          The Ti Historical Society is housed in the Hancock House and serves to share Ticonderoga’s history throughout the ages from a variety of events and programs and exhibits.  

                                                            Ticonderoga Arts

                                                            An arts organization formed by local Ticonderoga artists, Ticonderoga Arts has a Downtown Ticonderoga Gallery where you can enjoy and purchase local pieces. The gallery is open Thursday – Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM. 19 Montcalm St, Ticonderoga, NY 12883

                                                              Made in Hague

                                                              Another local art gallery showcasing work made by local artists in the Hague area of Lake George, as well as gifts and Adirondack-style home decor made locally. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM, (seasonally, Memorial Day-Columbus Day). 9077 Lake Shore Drive, Hague, NY 12836

                                                                Star Trek Original Series Set Tour

                                                                Trekonderoga: Calling all Star Trek superfans! Original Star Trek Series Set tours right in the heart of downtown Ticonderoga. Purchase admission tickets & more. 112 Montcalm St, Ticonderoga, NY 12883. 518-369-9967

                                                                  Activities

                                                                  Falls of the La Chute

                                                                  Providing beautiful views in every season, this waterfall is a historical landmark where Lake George flows into Lake Champlain

                                                                    Ticonderoga’s ‘Kissing’ Bridge

                                                                    Ticonderoga’s covered bridge is located in Bicentennial Park, the ‘Kissing Bridge’ is lovely to walk through, or even canoe or kayak beneath

                                                                      Valley View Farm

                                                                      During the summer months, this is a great place to pick fresh blueberries, especially with young children. 228 NY-9N, Ticonderoga, NY 12883. 518-585-6694

                                                                        Gunnison Orchard

                                                                        Pick your own apples in the fall at Gunnison’s, just outside of Ticonderoga. They’ve got an amazing bakery as well. Routes 9N, Crown Point, NY 12928. 518-597-3363

                                                                          Billy Bob’s Orchards

                                                                          Just outside Ticonderoga you can pick your own apples, pumpkins, and pick up some fresh cider in the fall. 720 County Route 2 Putnam Station, NY 12861. 518-222-5171

                                                                            Leaf Peeping

                                                                            One of the best autumnal-activities New England has to offer, leaf-peeping is seeking out the stunning color-changing foliage which takes place early and mid-fall. Any outdoor activity will do, especially hiking, walking/running, biking, or canoeing and kayaking

                                                                              Mt. Defiance

                                                                              This small mountain provides incredible views of Fort Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain. An easy and well-traveled route on a paved road, just one mile to the top (two there and back). There is a small parking lot at the trailhead.

                                                                              New York Foliage Report

                                                                              Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks

                                                                              Types of Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks  

                                                                              Three Perfect Days: Leisure Activities 

                                                                              Day 1: Treat Yourself

                                                                              Enjoy a relaxing day in Ticonderoga with a facial, massage, or maybe even take a yoga class at Mont Calm Apothecary. Treat yourself to a haircut and blow-out at any of our amazing salons. 

                                                                                • Mont Calm Apothecary: This locally owned apothecary and spa offers massages and facials and is the perfect place to relax on your vacation to Ticonderoga. 
                                                                                • Link to salon pages 
                                                                                • Get a healthy drink at Elevate ADK Nutrition 

                                                                                Day 2: Shop ‘til You Drop

                                                                                Head to downtown Ticonderoga and enjoy shopping and antiquing in the heart of our little town.

                                                                                  • Get something to eat at Libby’s Bakery Cafe
                                                                                  • Later, check out Trekonderoga, Trekonderoga, the Original Star Trek Series Set tours right in the heart of downtown Ticonderoga.
                                                                                  • Or head to the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum & Visitor Center to learn more about Ticonderoga’s historic past

                                                                                  Day 3: Picnic Day at the Beach

                                                                                  Pick up some lunch to go and then head to Black Point Beach or the Hague Public Beach for a day of sunbathing and relaxing.

                                                                                    • If you go to Hague, stop by The Hague Market for amazing, made-to-order sandwiches, or go to The Hague Firehouse Restaurant for lunch or dinner.

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