Green Lakes State Park Recreation
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There is a wide array of recreational activities available to guests at Green Lakes State Park, including a beach, basketball, hiking, camping, and much more. Certain rules and regulations apply to all ventures, as described below.
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General Rules and Regulations
Pets must have a current rabies certificate and must be on a six-foot leash at all times. Rabies Tag is not accepted for proof of inoculation. When biking, children under 18 must wear a helmet. There is a carry in, carry out policy in effect for garbage in the day use area. Swimming is permitted from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Alcohol is permitted in certain areas, some restrictions apply. No PRIVATE boats allowed on lakes. Laundry facilities are located approximately 2 miles from the park. If patron is unable to arrive on arrival date, call the park office directly to let them know. DURING PEAK - Cabins are 7 or 14 day reservations and run Sat. to Sat. only! Peak is from the end of June to the end of August. Peak season: A person may be the primary site occupant for 14 total days of camping within a 16 day period. He or she must leave the park for 48 hours once they have stayed the maximum number of days allowed before beginning a new reservation.[1]
Admission: $7 vehicle fee
Within Green Lakes
Biking
Bird Watching
First Aid Station
Hot Showers
Interpretive Programs
Fishing
Picnic Tables
Golfing
Frisbee Golf
Boat Rentals
Playground
Handicap Access
Parking
Hiking
Telephone
Picnicking
Swimming (Beach)
Trails
Over 15 miles of trails snake across the property, and are walking, running and biking friendly. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also more than welcome during the appropriate weather.
Trail-specific details:[3]
• Length/Configuration: >15 miles / interconnected loops
• Terrain/Surface: Rolling hills, open meadow/woodland / paved and dirt
• Difficulty: Beginner along lake (~3 miles), Intermediate – Expert at higher points
• Cautions & Regulations: Woods contain deer ticks. Trails are shared two-way, and have sudden steep sections at many points beyond the lakes
• Local resources: Bike shops, clubs, tours, trail maps, bike safety, camp facilities, and several historical landmarks
Campgrounds
Encompassing the Lakes' 1,756 acres lies 137 campsites (42 with electric), seven cabins, and a nature center.
The grounds are sectioned into the Pine Wood and Rolling Hills camping areas. Pine Wood consists of the nature center, as well as scheduled informational meetings on various topics, such as local tree identification.
The seven rentable cabins within these grounds for those in search of a less rough outdoors experience at the park. It is recommended to call ahead for reservations, as they tend to fill up quickly.
It is easy to see that Green Lakes has a lot to offer. As one of the most stunning parks with which nature has blessed central New York, everyone has something to enjoy.
Events
Every year in late August the park hosts an annual endurance run which is 50 km and 100 km in distance. The 50 km race is four laps and the 100 km race is eight laps consisting of the 12.5 km trail loop course that offers about 500 feet of climb each lap. The trails include shaded shoreline around scenic lakes, steep ascents and descents through upland forest, and panoramic views from rolling meadows. For a look at the course map: http://gleruns.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/GLER_Course_Map_edited-1.215223307.pdf. The race is open to all ages and is part of the Western New York Ultra Series.
In addition, Green Lakes holds a triathlon every year in mid-June. The YMCA and Upstate Medical University sponsor the event.[4]
Order and Distance of Events
- ½ mile swim in Green Lake
- 20 K Bike ride (outside the park with last 2 miles on Park roads)
- 5K run - on trail around both lakes.
The park also has an old-growth forest (over 150 years old), and is considered to be one of the largest in the northeastern United States. Surrounding the picturesque forested land, visitors can find over 20 miles of trails open for walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing, in the winter months, with foot trails around both lakes. Mountain biking is permitted on most of the trails, especially those that are paved. The park roads can be used for biking as well. There are trail brochures at the information desk located at the park entrance that provide further details of the parks rules and regulations.
By MultisportPT (YouTube user)
Beach
The northern end of Green Lake has been converted into a swimming area with a sandy beach, sunbathing area, bathhouse and boathouse.
The beach at green lakes has something for every level of swimmer. The roped boundary line runs directly to a dock in the middle of the small area, and maintains a shallow depth within its limits.
The beach is fully staffed with lifeguards, though all children must have supervision at all times. Diving and lane swimming is sectioned off in its own region of the beach for more the experienced.
Swimming is allowed only in the designated area. The beach is open for swim beginning on Memorial Day and closes for the winter on Labor Day.
Row and paddle boats are available for rent to campers and day guests in the boathouse in this main facility. Private boats are prohibited.
In winter, in addition to the park's 10 mi./16 km. of trails for cross-country skiing, visitors may snowshoe on the Green Lakes State Park Golf Course. There is no winter camping. Pets must be leashed.
Related Pages
Green Lakes State Park Golf Course
Notes
- ↑ Recreation. Town of Manlius, 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2010. <http://www.townofmanlius.org/departments/recreation.aspx>
- ↑ Green Lakes State Park. NYFalls / Matthew Conheady, 2009. Web. 18 Apr. 2010. <http://nyfalls.com/lakes/greenlakes.html>
- ↑ BikeKinetix - Green Lakes State Park Bike Trails. Lynn Creative Inc., 1996. Web. 7 Apr. 2010. <http://www.bikekinetix.com/t_ny/ny_state/green_lakes.php>
- ↑ Green Lakes Triathlon 2010. YMCA of Greater Syracuse, 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2010. <http://www.ymcaofgreatersyracuse.org/Downtown/ymca_triathlon.aspx>
