Green Lakes State Park
Escape into nature at Green Lakes State Park, a scenic outdoor destination just east of Syracuse in Central New York. Known for its two striking glacial lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake, the park features vibrant blue-green waters, wooded hiking trails, sandy beaches and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.
Experience
Green Lakes State Park offers something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. The park’s two glacial lakes are its main attraction, with their distinctive colors and clear waters creating a beautiful backdrop for a day outdoors.
Take a walk along the Green Lake Trail, a 1.9-mile loop that follows the shoreline and offers scenic views of the water and surrounding forest. Visitors looking for a longer hike can explore additional trails throughout the park, including routes through wooded areas and rolling hills.
During the summer, spend the afternoon swimming at the guarded beach on Green Lake or rent a kayak or rowboat to explore the water. Outside the summer season, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking on designated trails, fishing, picnicking and winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Other park amenities include an 18-hole golf course, disc golf, camping, cabins and an Environmental Education Center.
Events & Activities
Green Lakes State Park offers seasonal recreational activities and outdoor programming throughout the year. While the park does not publish a single year-round public events calendar, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities depending on the season.
Summer Swimming Season: The guarded beach on Green Lake typically operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Visitors can swim daily during designated beach hours.
Seasonal Boat Rentals: Kayaks and rowboats are available to rent during the summer months, offering another way to experience the park’s lakes.
Environmental Education Programs: Visit the Environmental Education Center for opportunities to learn about the park’s unique lakes, wildlife and natural environment.
Winter Recreation: When conditions allow, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along designated park trails.
Check the official Green Lakes State Park website for seasonal activity information, program updates and facility availability.
Plan Your Visit
Hours of Operation
Open daily: Dawn to dusk, year-round.
Park office: Hours vary seasonally.
Swimming beach: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. daily during the 2026 season (May 23–September 7).
Boat rentals: Seasonal, generally available during the summer.
The park remains open throughout the winter, although some amenities and recreational activities are seasonal.
Tickets and Admission
There is no general admission ticket required to enter Green Lakes State Park. However, a seasonal vehicle entrance fee applies:
$10 per vehicle.
$35 per bus.
Fees collected daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
No vehicle entrance fee outside the summer fee season.
Additional fees apply for activities such as boat rentals, camping and golf.
Where is Green Lakes State Park?
Green Lakes State Park is located in Fayetteville, just east of Syracuse in Onondaga County.
7900 Green Lakes Road
Fayetteville, NY 13066
Phone: (315) 637-6111
How to Get There by Amtrak
Travel to Green Lakes State Park by taking Amtrak’s Empire Service to Syracuse. The route connects New York City with destinations throughout the Hudson Valley and Central New York, including Albany, Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse.
Disembark at Syracuse Regional Transportation Center (SYR), located at 1 Walsh Circle in Syracuse. From the station, visitors will need to arrange a taxi, rideshare or rental car to reach the park in Fayetteville. The park is not directly accessible by train.
