Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Enjoy a snowy adventure with your family. Kids and adults snowshoes available. Beginners welcome! $3/ person, $10 for families of 4 or more. Pre-register to reserve your snowshoes: 518-279-1155 ext. 2.

Grafton Lakes State Park will host its 35th annual Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM.

Registration begins at 5:30 AM and ends at 11:00 AM (or 12:30pm for youth) in the park's maintenance building, accessible via the Main Entrance. There is a $10 entrance fee required for all participants age 16 or older, with no fee for children under 16. All participants 16 and older must have a valid NYS fishing license to fish in the park at any time, including during the contest.

Big cash prizes are awarded for adults with 1st place fish and the longest length catch in all three categories of trout, walleye/chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Winning entries will receive gift cards and other prizes.

Certified bait will be available on site from Hudson River Bait in the registration area. Bait is also available from Conroy's Bait Supply in Watervliet and Flying Arrow Sports in East Greenbush. Do your part to help keep the waters at Grafton Lakes healthy and productive by using certified bait.

Tournament areas are located on Second Pond, Mill Pond, Dunham Reservoir, Shaver Pond, and Long Pond.

During the cold, dry months of the year we can feel cold, blue, and dried out. Join our indoor yoga class to help you get warmed up and fighting the winter blues. $5 per person. Ages 10 & up. Please bring water & a yoga mat. Pre-register at 518-279-1155, ext. 2.

Enjoy a bagel and hot beverage while observing our most active winter friends– the birds! $3 per person. Ages 8 & up. Program will be held inside. Please pre-register and let us know what kind of bagel you would like; 518-279-1155, ext. 2.

Come out and experience the park in a whole new light on a 2 mile night hike. Red flashlights will be provided. $3 per person. Ages 10 & up. Snowshoes will be provided if there is snow. Spikes/ crampons suggested otherwise. Dress warmly. Space is limited, please preregister at 518-279-1155, ext. 2.

Join an environmental educator to learn about some of our local owls, their amazing adaptations, and how to be respectful during their winter breeding season. This free program is held at the welcome center.

Grafton Lakes State Park would not exist without one specific molecule– water! Come discover the vital role water plays in our ecosystem, why ice floats, and why no two snowflakes are the same. This free program is held at the welcome center.

For those who were born on the 29th of Feb, their birthday only comes around once every four years– why? Take a trip into outer space and learn about Earth's revolutions around the sun. Afterwards, get outside and enjoy looking at the stars and stay warm with hot cocoa and a fire. $2 per person or $5 for families of 3 or more. Meets at the welcome center. Pre-register at 518-279-1155, ext. 2.