What is Green Lakes State Park?
Green Lakes State Park popular and stunning glacier lakes with vividly green waters, located in the middle of the upland forest and its surroundings. Park contains 2 glacial lakes, namely, Green Lake and Round Lake, featuring an 18 hole golf course included 10 miles of trails which is perfect for hiking. Spread across 1,955 acres of land each one is located very close to Syracuse, New York and associated with the Caribbean.
Additionally, Green Lakes is 195 feet deep and Round Lakes is 180 feet deep and each one is attributed minerals, salt, calcium minerals beneath its water. Formed around 15,000 years ago, these 2 waterfalls flowing off the receding edge of the glaciers scooped 500 feet formed deep and steep sided lakes that we are seeing today.
Since lakes nestled in the upland forest, there are several trails available for hiking which provide panoramic views of lakes and surrounding woods. Despite that, the park is home to activities such as camping, hiking, swimming and fishing.
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Best Time to Visit
If you plan to visit Green Lakes State Park, probably visitors need to visit when the park runs from spring to early fall, especially from May to October. During this season the park witness’s ideal weather conditions to take activities like camping and hiking and also help to enjoy the surrounding natural beauties.
Summer is also a recommended season to visit this park, since there are vast coverage’s of beaches and swimming areas. Open from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labour Day from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm each day.
Green Lakes State Park Camping
Recently Park started its camping season at the Green Lakes State Park Campgrounds, usually this starts from May 17 to October 13. Camping in Green Lakes State Park includes facilities such as well-maintained campgrounds with high end tents and RVs. Each campground offers basic amenities such as drinking waters, restrooms and picnic areas.
Staying overnight in any one of the Parks camp could be the greatest idea to explore natural beauty at dawn and dusk with popular attractions such as stargazing, wildlife observation and laid back relaxation at the bay of lakes.
Make sure that campsites will be available for those who are booked in advance under the park’s reservation system (better to book 9 months in advance). Boasts total 135 campsites ranging from $18 to $37, cabins range from $115.50 night or $362 a week. Additionally campers need to spend $7.25 as a registration fee, $7 for night and $28 for week.
It is very important to go through park regulations including camping such as disposal rules and respect to environment guidelines. Do not forget to keep gear, weather friendly attires and bug spray and sunscreens.
Hiking at Green Lakes State Park
Despite being a great destination to campers, Green Lakes State Park is also a popular travel spot for hiking. Backpackers choose a network of scenic hiking trails that range from easy strolls to advanced moderate hiking trails.
Offers 19.1 miles of Green Lakes State Park hiking trails spread around the lakes and primary trail circuit exhibits most breathtaking views of the lake’s crystal clear waters and surrounding vast greeneries. Out of its total hiking trails, 2.8 miles goes to Deer Run Trail and 2.8 miles belongs to Spruce Ridge’s trailhead, off Pierson Road.
Erie Canalway Trail will help hikers to find most accurate hiking trails including NY-209 entrance and a bridge. Do not forget to look out for unique geological features including the park’s 2 glacial lakes during your hiking journey.
What to Do in the Park
Despite Camping and Hiking, Green Lakes State Park is renowned for many outdoor activities, offering things like biking, boating, disc golf, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bird watching, swimming and soaking in the sand.
Parks boat houses open during Memorial Day to Labour Day. During these periods Rowboats and Kayaks are prominent and available for half hour ($5) and 1 hour ($10). Kayaks include Tandem Kayaks and Crystal Tandem Kayaks. Remember visitors do not bring any private boats, canoes or kayaks to the lake.
If you are not a great fan of kayaking or boat rides, then choose Birdwatching. The park is home to a place to spot more than 170 species of birds ranging from purple finches to black billed cuckoos. Take look at Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Wood pewee, American Redstart, and Grasshopper Sparrow.
The 18-hole golf course is considered as the most renowned and park’s prime activity. Court designed by the popular architect Robert Trent Jones, made with deep bunkers and woods.
Places to Eat
There are plenty of restaurants available both inside and outside of the Park. Yards Grille is a popular place located inside the park known for its golf course and lakes along with offering dishes like American fare, crab cakes, salads, Waldorf chicken sandwich, and fried haddock.
Beach House snack shack is a place where we can taste cuisines like pizza, burgers, chicken tenders, variety of ice creams and other casual foods and snacks.
If you are looking for restaurants outside of the park, choose Arad Evans Inn. It is a 19th century Federalist style farmhouse catering most of the American foods such as scallops and fish chips and steak. You can also choose The Craftsman Wood Grille &Tap House to get the same dishes and cuisines options. Wegmans is a place where visitors purchase groceries along with picnic lunch foods.
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