Beaver Lake Nature Center is a gorgeous nature preserve outside of Syracuse. This place is a little off the beaten path but well worth the drive. The Nature Center is made up of over 600 acres. With 9 miles of trails, this is a wonderful place to hike and reconnect with nature.
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Recreation at Beaver Lake Nature Center
Beaver Lake Nature Center is open all year round for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Snowshoes can be rented for $5/hour. Unfortunately, they do not rent skis. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted on weekends (9 am – 5 pm) beginning in early May (around Mother’s Day weekend) and ending Labor Day weekend. (Weekdays (9 am – 2 pm): starting after school is out until Labor Day weekend.) Canoes and Kayaks are available for rent for $10 an hour or you can bring your own.
Private canoes and kayaks are permitted on weekdays only (with the exception of holidays). You must check in at the front desk first and register for the ‘lake steward’ program. This program instructs you on how to clean your vessel at the washing station before launch. This program aims to eliminate the risk of introducing invasive plants, animals, or pathogens to the lake.
Beaver Lake Nature Center Trails
There are lots of hiking trails to choose from at Beaver Lake. Our personal favorite was the Lake Loop Trail. This is the longest trail but visitors get a very diverse hike through all sorts of habitats including wetlands, and pine forests. This trail also takes guests to scenic points around the lake.
Beware: As we hiked around Beaver Lake Nature Center, we saw a great deal of Poison Ivy. Be sure to stay on the marked trails.
Lakeview Trail – 0.3 miles The expressway to the Beaver Lakeshore.
Hemlock Hollow – 0.4 miles The name itself suggests what you will find – a cool and shaded hide-away.
Pine Meadow – 0.5 miles An isolated meadow shielded by pines on one side and a mixed forest on the other makes a storybook setting for rabbits, woodchucks, and deer.
Bog – 0.6 miles
Our elevated boardwalk is your invitation to visit a habitat different from any other you may have experienced. Yellow warblers declare ownership from the tops of spindly alders, while insect-eating pitcher plants and lady’s slipper orchids grace the soggy floor.
Deep Woods – 1.4 miles This trail affords hikers a long and meandering walk through the serenity of a maturing forest.
Three Meadows – 1.5 miles Daisies dancing on warm breezes will put extra spring in your step as you cross sunny fields before enjoying the cool respite of the forest.
Lake Loop – 3.0 miles Nearly 3/4 of a mile of boardwalk lets you immerse yourself in a variety of wetlands, yet still keep your feet dry.
Arboretum Trail – 0.3miles
An aesthetically refreshing place for a walk, and with the habitat it offers, a perfect place to view wildlife.
Wildlife at Beaver Lake Nature Center
Beaver Lake Nature Center is home to over 200 species of birds, like great horned owls, osprey, and great blue herons, and 800 types of plants. A large variety of animals also call Beaver Lake Nature Center home, such as beavers (naturally), minks, muskrats, white-tailed deer, turtles, and frogs. If you take time to enter the visitor center, you will find an exhibit on all the different wildlife that live here. At the very back of the visitor center is a porch-like area with rocking chairs where visitors can sit and observe wildlife. When we visited, the area was crawling with all sorts of birds, chipmunks, grey squirrels, and we even saw one lone black squirrel. My kids loved it. They could have sat there watching the animals for hours.
Additional Information
Beaver Lake Nature Center is a wonderful place to bring young children. The trails are all well-groomed. Strollers can definitely manage these trails, especially those closest to the visitor center, which are flat.
The abundance of life makes this an excellent place for children to learn about nature, animals, and the environment.
The Nature Center is fairly bug-free. We were bothered by a few bugs in the wetter, swampy sections of the Nature Center. A good bug spray will take care of any pest you might encounter.
The park does not allow dogs.
Winter at Beaver Lake
If you are looking for a place to explore winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Beginner snowshoeing workshops are available in January and February (these are great for kids). You can also rent snowshoes at Beaver Lake daily from 9 am -3:30 pm.
Beaver Lake offers several miles of ski trails. All the trails are easy except Three Meadows Trail, which is rated moderate. You need to provide your own skis.
- Lake Loop Trail 3.0 miles
- Deep Woods Trail 1.4 miles
- Woodland Trail 1.1 miles
- Three Meadows Trail 1.5 miles
- Pine Meadow Trail 0.5 miles
Special Events at Beaver Lake Nature Center
Every fall, Beaver Lake is home to the annual Golden Harvest Festival with music, entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, a midway, wildlife programs, food, and more.
In October, the park hosts Enchanted Beaver Lake. The family-friendly evening event features trails lit by more than 1,000 carved jack-o’-lanterns. Visitors enjoy face painting, magic shows, storytelling, autumn treats, and more. The event often sells out so advanced tickets are recommended.
Special Events
Enchanted Beaver Lake
Over 400 uniquely carved jack-o-lanterns and luminaria light your way along two trails as you venture through the darkness. The evening will include a wild bird presentation, a magic show, and food to purchase. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday evening, September 29th at 8 pm, online only. A live link will be posted once the tickets become available to purchase. NO IN-PERSON/PHONE TICKET SALES. Tickets will be mailed upon completion of purchase within 3-5 business days. Tickets are $20 and are date-specific. The ticket price includes parking AND admission for one personal vehicle.
Hours and Admission
Beaver Lake Nature Center admission is $5.00 per car. Payment is accepted upon exit from the park. There is a toll gate that accepts either cash or credit card.
The park closes at dusk and the visitor center closes fifteen minutes beforehand.
Helpful Links: http://www.onondagacountyparks.com/parks/beaver-lake-nature-center/
Getting to Beaver Lake Nature Center
Address: 8477 East Mud Lake Road
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Google Map Link
Do you have a favorite nature center? What are your thoughts about Beaver Lake Nature Preserve? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
Is swimming allowed?
Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed.
can you bring a dog?
Unfortunately, No. But here are a bunch of Dog-Friendly destinations. https://adventuresny.com/dog-friendly-adventures-in-new-york-state/
is fishing allowed?
No, Fishing is not permitted at Beaver Lake Nature Center.
would a power wheelchair be able to navigate these trails
Yes, Some of them are hard packed gravel.