Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Green Lakes State Park

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Address
7900 Green Lakes Road
Fayetteville, NY 13066
Latitude 43.039238
Longitude -75.966187

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Boating

Due to the sensitive nature of both Green and Round Lakes, no outside/private boats, kayaks, or canoes are allowed. Rowboat and kayak rentals are available weekends only through Columbus Day at the Boat House, weather permitting.

Pet Policy

A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Green Lakes State Park's outstanding features are its two glacial lakes surrounded by upland forest. Both Round and Green Lakes are meromictic lakes, which means that there is no fall and spring mixing of surface and bottom waters. Such lakes have a high potential for evidence of ancient plant and animal life. Another special feature of the park is the 18-hole Green Lakes State Park Golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones.  Visitors can also snowshoe in winter, and there are 15 miles of trails that cross-country skiers can use.

Due to the sensitive nature of both Green and Round Lakes, no outside/private boats, kayaks, or canoes are allowed. You can rent rowboats and kayaks from our boat house right at the beach. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Thanks to a grant from Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, a Hippocampe Beach/All Terrain wheelchair is now available at Green Lakes State Park to access beach and trails. The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first come, first serve basis from 11am-7pm. Please check with the lifeguards at the beach for availability.   

Pavilion Information
Green Lakes has five pavilions/rooms. Prices range from $100 to $600 and can accommodate 25 to 100 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com

Current Water Quality - Beach Results

Pet Policy: Pets are to be supervised at all times and either to be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. If staying overnight in the campgrounds, proof of rabies inoculation will need to be shown to park staff. Pets are not permitted within our boats, playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, and guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Hours of Operation

  • 2024 Camping/Cabins: 

    Open May 17th, 2024 though October 14th, 2024 (Columbus Day) for both camping and cabins. The last night for camping will be October 13th, all campers will have to vacate their site on October 14th by 11am.

    Campsites - 134 campsites, maximum of 6 people/site.
    Cabins - 7 cabins (Minimum age of 21 required for rentals)
    Camping Season:  5/17/24-10/13/24
    Cabins available:   5/17/24 - 10/13/24

    Reserve through ReserveAmerica:  800-456-2267

  • Park open year-round from dawn to dusk.
  • 2024 Swimming Season: open
    Open Memorial Day weekend (May 25th) thru Labor Day (September 2nd) 
    11am-7pm daily 
  • Boat House: Open

    Open Memorial Day weekend (May 25th) thru Labor Day (September 2nd) 

    11am-6pm daily 

    Payment for boats by credit card only, NO CASH. 

    *Boats are rented on a first-come, first basis. We do not take reservations, but while there is no reservation system we do a same day in person waitlist at the house*


  • Fishing: Only on Green Lake outside of swimming area. No fishing on Round Lake.  No outside boats or watercraft allowed.

  • Golf/ Pro Shop/ Yards Grille
    Pro Shop and Yards Grille hours fluctuate based on sunrise and sunset. Please call the pro shop at 315-637-4653 or Yards Grille at 315-632-6015 for more information. 

  • Environmental Education Center: 
    12pm-4pm Daily
    Email Cara.Gannon@parks.ny.gov or Katie.Mulverhill@parks.ny.gov for additional information.  


  • Park Office Hours: 8am-9pm Daily 

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

  • Vehicle Entrance Fee
  • Cars: $10
    Bus Fee: $35

  • Beach/Swimming
  • Included in day use/vehicle entry fee. Beach and swimming will open Saturday of Memorial Day weekend from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day daily, including holidays.
  • Boat Rentals
  • In Season Rates: 

    Row Boats are $10/Hour, $5/Half Hour

    Single Kayaks are $10/Hour, $5/Half Hour

    Tandem Kayaks are $15/Hour, $10/Half Hour

    Crystal Tandem Kayaks are $20/Hour, $15/Half Hour
  • Camping
  • Campsites: Camping Season is from 5/17/24 to 10/13/24
    $18-$37/night
    *Additional $5/night for non-NYS residents

    Cabins:
    Cabins rented from Saturday to Saturday during peak season*, 7 or 14 days ONLY
    $462 per week
    $115.50 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
  • Golf Course

  • 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

    2024 Spring/Fall Rates: Subject to Change

    Before 5/17 and after 9/16, 18 Hole Greens Fee:  $20

    9 Holes with golf cart: 2 riders $9 per rider, solo rider $14
    18 Holes with golf cart: 2 riders $15 per rider, solo rider $20

    Any questions, please call Pro-shop at (315) 637-4653

Maps

Digital Maps

New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

We are fully booked for May and June Field Trips! If you are looking for a summer program with us please fill out our Ladders to the Outdoors Program Request Form:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=6rhs9AB5EE2M64Dowcge50l-lS9vmkpMtn91Hna9vVpUMVBaOTdXS0xIRFoxV1hKWlVFRFEwSjFCSy4u

 

The Central Region Environmental Education Team offers a variety of programs in our parks. Each park offers their own free public programs.

Group Programs

We offer guided programs for groups (of 10 or more). To coordinate a group program at Clark Reservation or Green Lakes State Park please email Katie.Mulverhill@parks.ny.gov. If you are interested in a program at any of our other state parks, please reach out to the park office directly to schedule your visit.

Field Trips

Green Lakes State Park: Home to rare lakes, old growth forests, and aquatic habitats, Green Lakes State Park offers the perfect outdoor classroom. Students see scientific concepts come to life in the real world. Our programs align with NY P-12 science standards. Each program has three four 30-min stations that classes rotate through. 

Check back in August for our 2024-2025 Field Trip Request Form

K-1: Animal Survival Skills- Explore adaptations animals use to survive in many different habitats at Green Lakes. Observe real life animals captured on trail cam videos to see what they do when they think no one is watching! Any season.

2: Engineers Against Erosion- Get your hands dirty learning how engineers are protecting our visitors and lakes from erosion. Then test out your own ideas! Spring only.

3-4: Sculpted by Nature: Learn how glaciers carved the park's landscape and created our unique lakes full of unusual life. Try your hand at carving the landscape by reading topographic maps. Spring or Fall.

5: Ecosystem Encounters- Discover what interdependent relationships in ecosystems can teach us about protecting wildlife at Green Lakes State Park. Any season.

5-6: Environmental Field Days- Join us for this annual event that's over 20 years old! Classes rotate through six 20-min stations throughout the day! Presenters from across CNY lead the stations, including live animal presentation. This even is usually held on the first Thursday and Friday of October. 

High School: Our Lake Study field trip includes hands-on water quality testing and studying life from the lake (from small bacteria to fish!) Fall only. 

For Everyone: our most popular request is for a guided hike around Green Lakes. These can be formal or informal and can include an array of different topics. 

We offer several program topics to choose from, but if you don't see what you are looking for let us know. We are working on adding to our lesson plans and will gladly create something teachers request if time permits. The Education Center has heat, so visit us any time of year. 

 

Connect Kids to State Parks Field Trip Grants: Looking for ways to make field trips more affordable? Our Connect Kids to Parks Transportation Reimbursement Grants cover most of the costs associated with a field trip to state lands; including busing, entrance and program fees, or contracting for special programs.


Key BCA Criteria:

- Migratory concentration site

- Diverse species concentration site

The Green Lakes BCA is located within Green Lakes State Park. The BCA is unique in that it contains significant tracts of both mature forest and grassland habitat, providing habitat for an unusually diverse suite of bird species. The grasslands within BCA represent the largest concentration of grassland habitat in the New York State Park system. Grassland-breeding species include Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Mature forest birds include Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and American Redstart.

Download a copy of the BCA map.

Go Birding with the Green Lakes Bird Checklist

Tue 02 Jul
Jr Naturalist: Fin-tastic Fish
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Green Lakes State Park
Our Jr Naturalist programs are hands-on and kids focused! Come explore the natural world with us. Great for kids 5 and older (must be accompanied by an adult). Green Lake is home to many different types of fish. Learn about them while making a fish craft and then try casting a fishing pole. Meet at the Environmental Education Center (west beach.) We also have drop-by crafts in the Environmental Education Center every day from 12-3pm.
Wed 03 Jul
Secrets of the Lake Guided Hike
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Green Lakes State Park
Join an educator on a guided hike around the lake to learn its secrets. Why is the lake green? How is it a rare lake? What unusual life live in its depths? This is a two mile walk on a flat crushed gravel trail. Usually takes between 1-1.5 hours. Guide presents info along the first ¼ mile. Simply enjoy the walk and view for the rest of the hike and ask the guide any questions you have. Meet at the Environmental Education Center (west beach).
Thu 04 Jul
Animal Detective Hike
Thursday, July 4, 2024 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Green Lakes State Park
Join an educator on a short hike looking for signs of Green Lakes' wildlife. Along the way we'll explore some examples of the clues that animals leave behind. Bring the whole family! The hike will be along part of the lake trail, up or down a flight of stairs, over a grass field and along paved pathways. It will be less than 1 mile. Meet at the Environmental Education Center (west beach).
Fri 05 Jul
Kayak Lesson
Friday, July 5, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Green Lakes State Park
Join an American Canoe Association certified kayak instructor to learn the basics of kayaking. We'll cover safety, equipment, and how to paddle forward, backward, turn and stop. Dress in clothes that will get wet (from splashes), wear sturdy shoes that will get wet when entering and exiting the kayak, wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets provided (you may bring your own life jacket). You may not bring your own kayak or paddle. Meet at the boathouse (west beach). Registration Required: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6rhs9AB5EE2M64Dowcge5zDxsNwdS1tPoYj6NIP5GQBUQU5QRVpQMEVVRlFLNE5ZWTNIVDZQWVdYVy4u.
Registration: Required
Fri 05 Jul
Building the Park Guided Hike
Friday, July 5, 2024 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Green Lakes State Park
Take a leisurely walk around the beach area and up to the Tulip Hill picnic area to hear about how Green Lakes became the park it is today. Learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps building the park in the 1930s. This hike is between 1-2 miles. Meet at the Environmental Education Center (west beach.)

Get Directions

Did You Know? The park's glacial lakes were formed at the end of the last ice age - about 15,000 years ago!

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking * Biking Trails (Not allowed around the Lake Trail)
  • Boat Rentals
  • Campsites, Cabins & Lodging
  • Disc Golf
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
  • Playgrounds (Accessible)
  • Showers (Accessible)
  • Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing
  • Swimming Beach (Accessible)