We had heard a lot about Green Lake State Park before we visited, most especially the unique blue-green water. Of course, I always assumed that these accounts were somewhat exaggerated. I was excited to see that Green Lake State Park was everything it was promised to be.
Green Lake State Park is a natural wonder and incredibly beautiful. Although I won’t lie, when we visited on a Sunday afternoon in the height of Summer, the beach was packed. If you don’t mind crowds or don’t plan to swim or hang out on the beach, the rest of the park is big enough to allow people to spread out. I imagine that this park is a lot less crowded in the spring, fall, and during the week.
Lake Facts
Elevation: 500 feet
Area: 65 acres
Shoreline Length: 1.8 miles
Length: 0.7 miles
Maximum Depth: 195 feet
Like most of the lakes in this part of New York, Green Lake was formed by glaciers. Green Lake (and nearby Round Lake) are two of the most studied lakes in the world due to their unique qualities.
Green Lake and Round Lake are Meromictic Lakes
Meromictic lakes are quite rare and one of the distinct things that set Green Lake and Round Lake apart from other lakes in New York State. Typically, the lakes of New York State will seasonally turnover, meaning that the different layers within the lakes will mix together. This is not the case with Green Lake and Round Lake. These lakes are meromictic lakes, meaning that the defined layers of water never mix with one another. The top layer of the lake has oxygen and can support life, such as a fish. However, once you go beneath the oxygen layer, into the chemocline layer, the only life that can be supported is bacteria. Scientists believe that Green Lake and Round Lake can tell them about what life was like on the earth millions of years ago.
Why is Green Lake Green?
The distinct color of Green Lake varies slightly from season to season. A combination of factors: deep, clear water, the way the light penetrates the water and reflects light, and the presence of calcium carbonate (limestone). In the Summer the Lake has a greenish-white color, whereas in Spring, Falls, and Winter it is deep blue-green color. The color is from the large amount of cyanobacteria in the spring, that the limestone dissolved in the lake to bind to and cause the whitish color.
The Reef
Another unique feature of both Green Lake and Round Lake are the reefs that have formed near the shoreline. These reefs are called microbialites, which means they are made of living organisms (just like an ocean reef). However, these reefs are made by marl, which is calcium carbonate that has bonded with the cyanobacteria.
Round Lake
Not far from Green Lake is Round Lake. This lake has been registered as a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of Interior. The lake is completely surrounded by woods and can not be reached by car. There is a trail that circumnavigates the lake, but this trail can only be reached from Brookside Trail and the Tween Lake Trail.
Things to Do at Green Lake
Swimming/Beach
Green Lake State Park has a large beach and swimming area complete with lifeguards. The beach area has bathrooms, changing rooms, and a concession stand. If you decide to bring you would rather bring your own food, there are picnic facilities, with tables and grills.
Kayak/Rowboat Rentals
The kayaking on this lake is absolutely fantastic! Privately owned boats of any kind are not allowed on Green Lake or Round Lake. You can rent kayaks and rowboats from 11 am to 6 pm daily- Last boat rental at 5, must be back by 6. Boats are rented when the weather is bad.
Retail Fees:
- Single Kayaks: $10/hour; $5/half hour
- Tandem Kayaks: $15/hour; $10/half hour
- Crystal tandem kayaks: $20/hour; $15/half hour
Hiking
There are approximately 15 miles of trails in Green Lake State Park. Most of the trails have to be reached via other trails. There are very few that are actually connected to a parking area. The Green Lake Trail is a 1.9-mile trail that circles the lake and has lots of placards with information about the lake. This is an exquisite trail that has lots of photo opportunities, fishing spots, and places to rest. Although it might appear tempting, especially on a hot day, to jump into the lake or even put your feet in, don’t. If you are caught, the fine is $100/person.
Camping
Green Lake State Park has several excellent camping areas as well as cabins. The Rolling Hills Camping Area and The Pine Wood Camping Area have a combined total of 142 campsites. The Pine Wood Camping Area is the primary camping section. There are 7 cabins at Green Lake available for rent. There is a camp store that carries just about any item that you may have forgotten.
Camping & Cabin Fees:
Campsites: $18-36/night, an additional $5/night for non-New York State residents
Cabins rented from Saturday to Saturday during peak season*, 7 or 14 days ONLY
$434 per week
$108.50 per night – 2-night minimum
$7.25 Registration Fee
Additional $28/week for non-NYS residents
Additional $7/night for non-NYS residents
*Peak season – normally 4th Saturday in June until Saturday Labor Day weekend
*Minimum age of 21 required for rentals
Fishing
The oxygen layer of Green Lake, which is approximately the first 60 feet, has fish. The Lake is annually stocked with rainbow trout in the spring. Other species of fish that live in Green Lake are largemouth bass, bluegill, and rock bass. There are great fishing spots located around the Lake on the Green Lake Trail.
Mountain Biking
Green Lake is great for mountain biking. The terrain of the park is hilly and there are trails especially dedicated to mountain biking.
Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing
Green Lake isn’t just a place to visit in the Summertime. There is plenty to do in the winter as well. Visitors can rent snowshoes and there are approximately 10 miles of cross-country skiing trails.
Snowshoe Rental:
$2/hour or $10/day
Golf Course
Up for playing 18 holes of golf? There is a great golf course designed in 1935 by Robert Trent Jones. Stop into the clubhouse and schedule some tee time.
Fees:
- 9 hole Weekdays: $18
- 9 hole Weekends/Holidays: $20
- 18 hole Weekdays: $21
- 18 hole Weekends/Holidays: $30
- Jr/Sr 9 hole: $11
- Jr/Sr 18 hole: $15 *Jr/Sr rates apply on weekdays and after 1 p.m. on weekends
- Twilight 18 hole (after 6 pm): $14
*During June, July & August - In-Season Specials: Please call Pro-shop at (315) 637-4653
Wildlife
Bird watchers will love this park. There is a large section of Green Lake that has been dedicated as a bird conservation area. This area is made up of grasslands and forests. The bird conservation area is set up for migratory birds and the grassland area is the largest in any New York State Park. Some of the birds that call this conservation area home are Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, and Grasshopper Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Canadian Geese, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and American Redstart.
There is a great deal of wildlife that wander the woods of this idyllic park such as white-tail deer, woodchucks, raccoons, red and gray foxes, mink, and coyotes.
Brian’s Landing Restaurant
If you are looking for incredible food, this restaurant has just what you’re looking for and a view that will blow you away. You can eat inside their elegantly designed dining room or have your meal on their deck that overlooks Green Lake. Their menu is mouthwatering and they even have a kids’ menu. If you are visiting on a Sunday, enjoy their Sunday brunch and create your own bloody mary.
Call for a Reservation: 315-632-4406
Address: 5648 Green Lakes Park Dr.
Special Events
Wicked Woods at Green Lake
Saturday, October 23th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Come drive through the campground and see all the cool and scary decorations by the campers at Green Lakes State Park! (If you’d like to camp and set up your own Halloween display, call Green Lakes to sign up to decorate a campsite! (315) 637-6111)
The entrance to the event will be at the Route 5 entrance. The main entrance at route 290 will be closed. Admission is free but they ask for a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Central New York Food Bank. All Ages Welcome!!!
Hours and Admission
Green Lake State Park is open daily from Dawn until Dusk
Admission:
- Cars: $10
- Non-Commercial Bus Fee: $35
- Commercial Bus Fee: $75
- Seasonal Bus Permit: $75
Address: 7900 Green Lakes Road
Have you visited Green Lake State Park? What did you think of the blue-green water? What was your favorite part of the park? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.