Cazenovia Lake is a truly beautiful lake in Central New York. Although not technically one of the 11 Finger Lakes, it is within the Finger Lakes Region. The lake is one of the prettiest that I have had the pleasure to explore.
Lake Facts
Elevation: 1200 feet
Area: 1164 acres
Shoreline Length: 9.5 miles
Length: 3.9 miles
Maximum Depth: 45 feet
Mean Depth: 22.6 feet
What To Do
The area around Cazenovia Lake is full of parks, waterfalls, wildlife, museums, and history. There is, as cliche as it sounds, literally something for everyone.
Parks
Nichols Pond County Park
5797 Nichols Pond Road, Cazenovia
This park is a recognized historic spot. There are hiking trails through woodlands and wetlands. There is also an observation deck to view the wetland by and picnic pavilions.
Cazenovia Preservation Foundation
12 Mill Street, Cazenovia
The Preservation Foundation maintains 50 miles of trails. There are trails for all sorts of activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and on some trails, even horseback riding is permitted.
Nelson Swamp Unique Area
Stone Quarry Road, Cazenovia
Nelson Swamp is DEC-owned land and offers hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Trails will take visitors through the swamp and allow them to view the wetland without hurting the swamplands.
Stoney Pond State Forest
3199 Jones Rd, Erieville
Stoney Pond is a 44-acre pond that is a great place to canoe and kayak, as well as fish. There are 17 primitive campsites that all have fire pits that are available with reservations. This area allows horseback riding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Gypsy Bay Park
This park provides visitors with an amazing view of the lake, a large open field, and a small swimming area, although, it really isn’t labeled as such. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swim at your own risk. You can hand launch boats down at the car park area.
Lakeland Park
Enjoy a day at a lovely park. There is swimming here in the designated swimming area. A picnic in the park or just a leisure stroll are also great activities to engage in at this park. The park provides great views of the lake. This is really a gorgeous park.
Waterfalls
Delphi Falls County Park
2006 Cardner Rd, Cazenovia
Delphi Falls is a beautiful natural area with an easy-to-reach waterfall. This gorgeous park was a generous donation of a Syracuse University Professor. There is a second waterfall that can only be viewed from near the house. The area is surrounded by woods for an incredibly peaceful setting.
Chittenango Falls State Park
2300 Rathburn Rd, Cazenovia
Chittenango Falls is a 167 ft waterfall. There are miles of trails throughout this park and visitors can view the falls from different perspectives, including from the gorge and the top. This waterfall is one of the best in New York State.
Other Places of Interest
The Wild Animal Park
7621 Lakeport Rd, Chittenango
The Wild Animal Park is definitely one of the best animal-related destinations. I personally love this park. They have a multitude of incredible animals, all the good ones as well as lots of feeding and petting opportunities
Lorenzo State Historic Site
Enjoy a guided tour of this historic mansion. Admission also includes access to the extensive garden on the property.
Antiquing in Bouckville
Not far from Cazenovia Lake is a small antiquing community. If you want to pursue the motherload of antiques, visit during June and August for Antique Week.
Boating
Like all lakes in the Finger Lakes area, the boating on Cazenovia Lake is excellent. There are several boat launches on the lake that make launching your boat easy. However, 2 out of 3 of these are hand launches only.
Boat Launches
McNitt State Park – Located off East Lake Road. Hand launch and carry down. Parking for 10 cars. Park hours are from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Route 20 Parking Area – This park is right next to Gypsy Bay Park. Hand launch.
Lakeside Park – Fee launch with seasonal operation.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Kayaking and canoeing are relaxing pastimes that people will travel great distances to engage in their favorite sport. Cazenovia Lake is a superb lake to set afloat on.
Boat Rentals
No Waves No Worries – If standup paddleboarding is your thing, this company will drop off a paddleboard to any of the beaches on Cazenovia Lake.
Morse Kayak Rentals – This company rents Kayaks and is located right on Cazenovia Lake. For reservations call 315-655-2400.
Boat Cruise
The Brewster Inn has Thursday night cruises during the summer. Cruises are $20 and run from 5:30-6:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm, 7:30-8:30 pm. Reservations are required. Call 315-655-9232.
Fishing
Cazenovia Lake has excellent fishing. Many fish species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, walleye, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch, white sucker, and brown bullhead are found in the lake and they are all decently sized as well.
Where To Eat
Brewster Inn – 6 Ledyard Ave, Cazenovia
The Brewster Inn is the only restaurant with lakeside dining in Cazenovia. You can pull your boat up and enjoy a meal on their outside seating on the lawn or on the patio. There are several indoor dining rooms that overlook the lake.
The Brae Loch Inn – 5 Albany Street, Cazenovia
Enjoy fine dining on the lawn of the Inn while relishing live music and peaceful firepits. Also, experience the Inn’s luxury accommodations.
Kalamata Pita – 47 Albany Street, Cazenovia
Word on the street is that this restaurant makes some of the best pitas in the Syracuse area.
Pewter Spoon Cafe – 87 Albany Street, Cazenovia
Coffee, and then some. The Pewter Spoon Cafe serves great sandwiches and wraps. Their menu has options that fit all diets including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Their signature egg sandwiches are made from locally sourced eggs that are hatched by free-range chickens.
Cazenovia Pizzeria – 62 Albany Street, Cazenovia
Gourmet pizza with gluten-free options available.
Beverage Trail
The Finger Lakes Region has always been known for its exquisite wines. However, in recent years microbreweries have begun a popular trend in New York State and they have been popping up all over.
Owera Vineyards – 5376 East Lake, Cazenovia
Come for the wine, stay for the food. Enjoy several different wine tasting options and some of the best brick-oven pizza in Cazenovia.
Madison County Distillery – 2412 Hwy Route 20, Cazenovia
Try artisanal beer in an idyllic setting of a historic farm.
Empire Falls Distillery – 33 Rippleton Rd, Cazenovia
Enjoy a variety of craft beers at this 22-acre farm where the beer is brewed. Tours of the brewery are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4pm.
Critz Farm Brewery and Cider Company – 3232 Rippleton Rd, Cazenovia
This 350-acre farm has tons of activities in addition to the brewery and cidery. They have a number of festivals throughout the year, You pick fruit, and lots of farm animals that love the attention of visitors. Each season brings visitors something new and exciting. Don’t miss out on the gigantic corn maze in the fall and cut your own Christmas trees.
Where To Stay
Inns and B&B’s
Brae Loch Inn – 5 Albany Street, Cazenovia
luxury accommodations and jacuzzi rooms are available at The Brae Loch Inn.
Mary Meadow’s Bed & Breakfast at Fernwood Farm – 4023 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia
This historic 1810 farmhouse has several rooms that feature private bathrooms.
Sparrowbush Cottage Bed & Breakfast – 6194 East Lake Rd, Cazenovia
This quaint B&B is actually a working farm and has several rooms available in an old farmhouse.
The Brewster Inn – 6 Lenyard Ave, Cazenovia
The Brewster Inn is an 1890 mansion with 17 guest rooms. Many of these rooms have a jacuzzi and fireplaces for a romantic getaway.
Lake House Rentals
If you want to stay directly on the lake, you can rent a house. Airbnb is a good resource for finding a cottage rental. Some of these rentals even come with boats, kayaks, or canoes.
Camping
This is our preferred way to enjoy the beauty of New York State. There is a multitude of exceptional campgrounds not too far from Cazenovia Lake. If you are thinking about camping in the area, you are in luck because a number of these are considered some of the best camping New York State has to offer.
Green Lake State Park
Known for the stunning green color of its lake. New York State Parks always have great camping and this park is no exception.
Cider House Campground
The Cider House Campground is located in the antiquing center of Syracuse.
Bowman Lake State Park
Bowman Lake State Park is, in my opinion, is the single best camping in all of New York State especially if you like camping in the woods. The park is exceptional because the sites are all almost completely private.
Fillmore Glen State Park
The campsites here aren’t in the same league as Green Lake or Bowman Lake but they are still good. They are more open and less private. The glen is beautiful and the hiking is terrific.
Getting to Cazenovia Lake
Google Map Link
