Stretching along the shores of one of Central New York’s most historic lakes, this park offers the opportunity to enjoy scenic leisure trails, lakeside views and local wildlife.
Located just outside the city of Syracuse, Onondaga Lake Park is a waterfront park that offers miles of paved and natural-surface trails. Beyond the serene lakeside views, the park also provides a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Nicknamed the “Central Park of Central New York”, it extends across the eastern shore of Onondaga Lake and acts as the perfect family-friendly escape for walking, biking and more.
Spanning over 8 miles, Onondaga Lake Park has something for everyone! The park features four scenic trails: East Shore Recreation Trail, Shoreline Walking Trail, Lakeland Trail and the West Shore Trail. The East Shore Recreation Trail is one of the park’s most popular routes, consisting of a wide, paved, 2.5 mile trail, perfect for biking and rollerblading. This path is the only trail that is plowed during the winter, making it ideal for a serene, snowy stroll. The Shoreline Walking Trail, a quieter lakeside path, is reserved for pedestrians and offers some of the best lake views in the park.
Explore the West Shore Trail, a scenic, multi-use, paved route that stretches over four miles along restored wetlands. This trail offers opportunities to spot herons, waterfowl, and other wildlife. In the winter months, this trail is not plowed, offering a great opportunity for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The Griffin Visitor Center area provides access to picnic spots, a skatepark and a playground, as well as shuffleboard, bocce ball and pickleball courts. The Salt Museum is also located at Onondaga Lake Park, offering guided tours seasonally.
All trails are well-marked, with maps available online and near park entrances. Many routes connect to each other, making it easy to extend your time outdoors if you just can’t get enough fresh air and lakeside scenery!
Park access is free! While the park is open year-round, certain facilities or routes may close seasonally. Check the park’s website for any updates before you visit.
Dogs are welcome throughout most areas of the park but must remain leashed. Ample parking is available at multiple lots along the lake.
The park hosts several annual events, including the popular Lights on the Lake which features hundreds of holiday displays with over 600,000 lights. This event runs from November 26th to January 12th. During Lights on the Lake, the entire park closes at 4:30pm.
Open daily, year-round: Dawn to dusk
Visitor Center Hours
April 1 – October 31:
8:00am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday
10:00am-6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday
November 1 – March 31:
8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday-Friday
106 Lake Dr, Liverpool, NY 13088
Visit this peaceful park via Amtrak to Syracuse Station in Syracuse. Don’t forget to use Amtrak’s See New York and Save 15% discount!
Get picked up from Syracuse Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car! Click here to reserve your car or call the Syracuse office today at: 315-423-0022.
