Situated just 15 minutes east of Syracuse in Fayetteville, New York, Green Lakes State Park presents a natural mecca with two glacial lakes, old-growth forests, diverse flora and fauna, and an 18-hole Green Lakes State Park Golf Course.
Perfect for a day trip, Green Lakes sits just an hour and a half from Rochester and almost five hours from New York City. This central New York State Park is ideal for a weekend getaway of camping or a few-hour stop on your next road trip.
Glacial Lakes
Nestled alongside Pools Brook on the Old Erie Canal Towpath, Green Lakes State Park is home to two meromictic lakes, Round Lake and Green Lake. Meromictic is a rare condition where the deeper waters and the surface waters of a body of water do not inter-mingle, however, it is seen more frequently in the Finger Lakes region. These meromictic lakes were formed during the last ice age nearly 15,000 years ago and are 180 and 195-feet deep, respectively, and offer room for ancient plant and animal life to exist.
Green Lakes State Park Golf Course
With lush fairways and an innovative design by Robert Trent Jones, this 18-hole-golf-course, is open from April 1st to November 13th (if the weather agrees) and there are tee times every 12 minutes. You can call the pro-shop at 315-637-4653 for hours of operation.
Trails at Green Lakes State Park
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With almost 20 miles of trails, this upstate New York park offers biking and hiking trails of all types. The flatter trails around the lakes are more heavily trafficked, while the forested trails on the western edge of the Round Lake Trail tend to see fewer visitors. In the winter months, you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with 10 miles of groomed trails. For more details on the available trails, check out the park's trail map. Enjoy the use of multiple picnic tables throughout the park.
Accessibility
Fortunately, because of a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Green Lakes State Park is now able to offer a Hippocampe Beach/All Terrain wheelchair to access the beach and certain trails. The wheelchair is a complimentary service available on a first-come, first-serve basis from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The lifeguards at the beach are able to help with accessing these.
Boating & Swimming
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Boating and swimming are available typically on weekends only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is a swimming beach as well as a boathouse that offers rowboat and kayak rentals. Fishing is only available on Green Lake outside of the swimming area. No private boats, kayaks, or canoes are allowed.
Camping
If you are looking to stay overnight at Green Lakes State Park, there are 145 campsites and seven cabins available for reservations. Campers can enjoy choosing from a variety of sites, some with electrical and water hookups and most allowing pets to join in on the fun! The camping season is typically from Mid-May to Mid-October and reservations can be made here.
Other Important Information
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For events and group gatherings, there are five pavilions you can rent that range from $150 to $600. Check the current water quality here. Visit the park office for more information on your visit to Green Lakes State Park in Onondaga County, just outside of Manlius.
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