Shelving Rock Falls — Attraction in Town of Fort Ann

Shelving Rock Falls is an awesome waterfall located on the eastern shore of Lake George. The falls are 50 feet high! It is a fairly easy walk from the parking lot to the waterfall. To access the falls you should park in Parking Lot #1. If you can’t park there you can also use lots 2 or 3. The lots do fill up on busy days. After parking, walk down the gravel road and find the sign for Shelving Rock Falls. From the road to the falls it is a .4 mile walk. You will walk along a stream that leads to the falls. Eventually, the path comes up on the top of the falls. From the top of the falls there is a path you can walk down to get close to the falls. Use caution when on this path. If you continue to follow the red-marked Shelving Rock Falls trail past the waterfall you can also walk to shores of Lake George, on the Lake George Shore Path. The views of the lake are very good on this path. Overall, the hike is great. However, the state really needs to install trail map boards and give better directions on how to get to the falls and other destinations in the Lake George Wild Forest. Many people are frequently confused in this area. Better signage on the trails in this area would also be helpful. Some trails are not labeled and there is often no indication given as to where they lead. This area attracts many who are not familiar with the area, and better care should be taken to direct people to the...

Ok so let me say this right off the bat this place is beautiful, i would come here again for sure. I will not go into the details about whats good, i will detail what was bad in my opinion.

1. Bathrooms are non-existent. Us families with little kids have needs, the one or two we saw were filthy, extremely filthy.
2. Could use some directions or signs for the people visiting for the first time. All you see are the parking lot numbers with no indication of what close by
3. Warning Sign#1, the rocks are extremely slippery, my big bum fell down twice, my kid once. A warning sign could have been very helpful. (i don't have any pictures to add, as my phone was in my pocket when i slipped on a rock :( )
4. Warning Sign#2, my mom who could not climb down to the fall stayed at the top of the falls, and witnessed a snake in the water. A snake people, thought another warning sign would have been a great idea.
5. Smoking, vaping and beer galore. There were kids and families, but no people do what they do.
6. The climb is steep both ways. We are not hikers we are average folks. If you have never done hiking/climbing, it is a bit difficult, there are no stairs or guiding ropes, just some loosely defined trails, make shift stairs mostly of tree roots.

I hope this helps people who want to see this place. If you are here in the area take the trip, you will not be disappointed, just keep these few...

Parking guide:

Lot 1 is the closest to the falls. Walk back the way you came on the road a bit. At the bridge look to your right and you’ll see a trail that follows the stream. Take this trail to the falls.

Lot 2 is very small and is mainly parking for Camping Site 13. If Lot 1 is full and you’re looking for another spot check Lot 2, but don’t hold your breath.

Lot 3 is the main overflow lot for the falls and for Shelving Rock Mtn. You’re a short walk from both these trails. Go back up the road for the falls, down the road for the mountain.

Lot 4 is the main lot for the mountain and is the trailhead. This lot is also fairly small and fills up quickly on the weekend. Lot 3 is the best alternative if 4 is full. DO NOT BLOCK THE ACCESS GATE IN THIS LOT. There is a sign that clearly says “no parking past this point”. Do not disobey the sign and block the gate; Rangers need access in case of emergencies.

Lot 5 provides quick access to the lake shore. There is a trail behind the access gate that will lead you down the sandy area where boats dock on the weekend. This can also be parking for the mountain but expect a longer walk to Lot 4.

Lot 6, 7, and 8 are all situated near trails that connect the lake shore. Some trails may not be directly connected to the lot so look up and down the road for the entrance to the trails. They’re all heavily trafficked so they should be...