History of Conesus Lake
Conesus Lake is the westernmost of the 11 Finger Lakes. Like most of the Finger Lakes, the lake’s foothills were once inhabited by Iroquois Indians, and the name Conesus comes from the Native American language, meaning “always beautiful.” The first settlement in the area was in 1790, and the area around Conesus Lake soon flourished. The Lake’s serendipitous location on two stagecoach routes and a railroad route caused the Conesus Lake area to boom. As early as the mid-1800, ferry boats, hotels, and an amusement park were attractions that drew thousands of people to Conesus Lake annually.
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Lake Facts
Elevation: 818 feet
Area: 3,420 acres
Length: 8 miles
Maximum width: 1 mile
Maximum depth: 66 feet
Shoreline: 18.5 miles
What To Do
Conesus Lake Inlet Wildlife Management Area
The Conesus Lake Inlet is located at the south end of Conesus Lake and is 1,120 acres of wetlands. This unique area is teeming with wildlife and is well-known as a place to see bald eagles nesting. The attraction to this area is its proximity to the wetland. Visitors get an up-close and personal view of this fascinating ecosystem.
Vitale Park
This exquisite park is located on Conesus Lake in Lakeville on Route 20A. This truly is a lovely park to walk around in or relax by the lake. It is incredibly peaceful here, and it was really nice just taking in the view and all the gorgeous and carefully manicured gardens.
Long Point Park
Long Point Park is a lovely little park on the western shore of Conesus Lake and has been a family fun destination for over 150 years. The park is one of the great places to go swimming at Conesus Lake. Visitors to the park enjoy the large beach and picnic facilities while taking in the beauty of one of the most popular Finger Lakes.
Minnehan’s Fun Center
Minnehan’s Fun Center has just about everything imaginable to keep your family happily entertained for hours on end, especially if they tend to be on the competitive side. Go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag, and arcade. While there… have some delicious food and ice cream.
Indian Fort Nature Preserve
Indian Fort is a unique destination with a waterfall, access to the Genesee River, hiking trails, and lots of ancient history. Indian Fort Nature Preserve has been the focus of a great deal of archeology attention. Digs in this preserve have brought evidence of the Seneca Indian occupation and a much older tribe who lived here 5,500 years ago the Lamoka Culture. This area is named Indian Fort due to the palisade built in this area by Seneca Indians between 1400-1500 A.D.
Sonyea State Forest and Keshequa Creek Falls
There is much more here than meets the eye in this incredible state forest, especially if you like waterfalls and want to try rustic camping. Like many of New York’s gorgeous state forests, rustic camping is not only allowed but encouraged. See what makes this state forest a great camping destination and a wonderful place to hike, fish, and appreciate nature’s beauty.
County Line Falls
New York State has so many beautiful waterfalls, but many of these gorgeous falls are only full at certain times of the year, such as the Spring from the winter runoff and after heavy rainfall. County Line Falls is one of these waterfalls. However, when the falls are flowing, they are stunning. What is great about this destination is that visitors can see two glorious waterfalls. The first waterfall can be reached with a short, flat hike. The second waterfall comes with a more challenging hike.
Rob’s Trail (Hemlock Lake)
Rob’s Trail is a trail system that connects Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake, the only two undeveloped Finger Lakes. This trail is fantastic. This trail has it all between the beautiful woods, the gorgeous waterfalls, and the stunning view of Hemlock Lake.
Papermill Falls at Papermill Park
There is no shortage of waterfalls in New York State. Many of them are easy to see without having to expend a huge amount of physical effort, and the Papermill Falls at Papermill Park is one of these such falls. You can get closer to the falls by climbing down a short trail on either side of the falls, but otherwise, it can be viewed from the top.
National Warplane Museum
The National Warplane Museum is dedicated to the preservation of WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam-era aircraft, history, and those who bravely fought in these wars. This museum is a real treat for history buffs and plane enthusiasts alike.
Stony Brook State Park
Stony Brook State Park is one of the most scenic and lovely places in New York State. There are three trails that cover the length of the park, the Gorge Trail, West Rim Trail, and East Rim Trail in this 568-acre state park. The gorge trail is just short of 1 mile long. It travels alongside the creek and passes several gorgeous spots, including several waterfalls.
Whiteman Gully Falls & Gully Nature Preserve
What I love about waterfalls is that they are ever-changing. You can visit a waterfall a hundred times and never see the same falls twice. The volume of water, the season, and the erosion change the face of waterfalls in subtle yet intrinsic ways. Whiteman’s Gully Falls is one of these waterfalls that is ever-changing and, more than that, is a gorgeous place to escape the hectic world as well as the perfect summer destination to cool off. This stunning waterfall is the crown jewel in the Genesee Land Trust’s newly acquired Gully Nature Preserve.
Letchworth State Park
The Grand Canyon of the East is what some people call this magnificent park. The beauty of Letchworth State Park is legendary in New York. This park has miles of trails, actives of all kinds, amazing scenic vistas, and history. In 2015, Letchworth State Park was voted the best state park in the United States.
Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm
Take a tour of the alpaca farm and maybe pet a few fluffy alpacas. Tours must be booked online in advance. While on your visit to the farm, make sure to stop by the Alpaca Country Clothing and Gifts. Ever thought of doing yoga with Alpacas? You can at Lazy Acre.
Genesee Country Village and Museum
The Genesee Country Village and Museum is the largest living history museum in New York State and the 3rd largest in the United States. It’s comprised of 68 buildings dating from 1790 through 1900, set within 3 different areas to represent distinct periods of history. This museum is a living representation of life in New York 200 years ago. The staff performs jobs and maintains the grounds, gardens, and homes just as they were during the era in which they were constructed.
Turtlestones
If you are interested in geology, then you’re in luck. Conesus is home to an extraordinary rock called a Turtle Stone. These rocks are shaped like turtle shells on the outside (hence the name) with ridges and contours. However, when you break these rocks open, you will find crystal geodes inside. You can find these unusual stones along the Conesus Lake shoreline and through the creeks that flow in and out of the Lake. If you are looking for a fun activity to do with your children, let me reassure you that kids go nuts over looking for these rocks.
4th of July Ring of Fire
The Finger Lakes are all known for having a special tradition of lighting flares all around the lakeshore. This tradition was started by the Iroquois Indians, who would burn tobacco on the lakeshore of Canandaigua Lake in thankfulness for a good harvest. While Canandaigua celebrates with its Ring of Fire on Labor Day Weekend, the other Finger Lakes, like Conesus Lake, have their Ring of Fire around the 4th of July.
Boating
Boating is one of the most popular activities on Conesus Lake. Seeing the Lake from the water is both fun and exhilarating. Whether you are kayaking, on a party barge, or riding a speed boat, Conesus Lake has some of the best boating in the Finger Lakes.
Boat Launches
Conesus Lake Public Boat Launch – East Lake Road, 4 miles south of Rt.20A. Hard surface launch ramp.
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area – At the south end of the lake, located off West Lake Road. Car-top launch only.
Pebble Beach – Located at the northwest corner of the lake off of Pebble Beach Road. Car-top launch only.
Sand Point – Located at the north end of the lake off of Rt.20A. Car-top launch only.
Kayaking/Canoeing
As you can see, there are quite a few places to launch canoes and kayaks specifically. The lake has a lot of great canoe and kayaking spots. There is a great deal of boating traffic on this lake; however, there are still protected areas around the shoreline and in the inlet for kayaking and canoeing.
Boat Rentals
If you don’t have your own boat, why not rent one. There are plenty of options available on Conesus Lake.
Tropical Creations Boat Rentals – This business offers more than boat rentals. You get picked up and enjoy a cruise on the lake. Bring your own food and beverages and up to 8 passengers. If you are looking to rent your own vessel, choose between pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards, and paddle boats.
Mark’s Leisure Time Marine – This company rents not just pontoon boats and kayaks, all the accessories that go along with it, including life jackets, water skis, waterboards, tubes, and ropes.
Smith Boys – Choose from fishing boats, pontoon boats or speed boats.
Conesus Lake Rentals – Rent pontoon boats (and a lake house, if you’re game.)
Invert Sports – Rent speed boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and wave runners. You can also rent water trampolines, flyboards, and standup paddleboards.
Fishing
Fishing on Conesus Lake is truly excellent all year round. There are fishing tournaments held on the lake throughout the year, including ice fishing tournaments in the winter. The most commonly found species in Conesus Lake are Alewife, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Smallmouth Bass, Tiger Musky, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.
Where To Eat
3 Legged Pig
Tee & Gee’s Restaurant – 6005 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville – Enjoy live music and some of the best seafood around.
Fratelli’s Restaurant – 2995 Lakeville Rd, Avon – Authentic Italian food in an elegant setting.
Lakeville Family Restaurant – 5858 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville – This place serves an amazing breakfast. From what I hear, lunch and dinner are top-notch as well.
Pizza Paul’s – 5808 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville – Great pizzas, wings, calzones. We ordered take-out and enjoyed warm pizza slices across the street at Vitale Park.
The Beachcomber -5909 West Lake Rd, Conesus Lake – Pull your boat up and enjoy a great meal.
Hook and Spoon – 5870 Big Tree Road, Lakeville – The Hook and Spoon has 16 boat slips for those spending their day on the lake looking for delicious fresh food made from scratch.
Wineries
Deer Run Winery – 3772 West Lake Rd, Geneseo – This is the oldest winery on Conesus Lake
Eagle Crest Vineyards– 7107 Vineyard Rd, Conesus – Enjoy the fresh taste of this local favorite table wine.
Where To Stay
St. Michael’s Mission
Now you have the opportunity to stay in this historic mission. The grounds are gorgeous, with a trail that leads down to Hemlock Lake. Also on the property are the remains of magnificent grottos. This is private property, so (and we cannot stress it enough) please don’t trespass. If you want to stay at St. Michael’s Mission, you can make a reservation online.
Cottage Rentals
Get the most out of your vacation by renting a cottage is the way to go. Airbnb has a long list of cottages available for rent on the lake. You can adapt your search to include cottages that come with kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, jacuzzi, and other amenities.
Bed and Breakfast
Bed and breakfasts are very romantic places to stay, and Conesus Lake has many great establishments available to book for your getaway. Bedandbreakfast.com is a great resource for finding clean and reputable places to stay.
Campgrounds
Photo Courtesy of Goodsamclub
My favorite way to appreciate the beauty of the Finger Lakes is by camping. There are quite a few places to embark on an outdoor adventure on Conesus Lake.
Conesus Lake is a popular Finger Lake. Is this your favorite Finger Lake? Did we miss anything? Is there a favorite place that you think we need to add to our list? Please let us know. Leave a comment below.
