With various well-renowned museums, art galleries, and performance centers, Syracuse is one of the most vibrant and popular tourist destinations in Onondaga County, New York. This city is close to several beautiful lakes and finger lakes which offer various recreation opportunities.
Here are the nine best lakes near Syracuse you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re searching for the best lake for swimming, fishing, or just a peaceful day on the water, this area has some of the most stunning options in Central New York.
Best Time to Visit Syracuse Lakes
The best time to visit these lakes depends on what you’re after. For swimming, late June through August is ideal when water temperatures are warmest — Green Lakes and Skaneateles are especially popular in summer. If you’re fishing, Oneida Lake and Cross Lake are great in spring and fall for walleye, while Salmon River Reservoir is best stocked in early summer. Winter brings ice fishing opportunities at several of these spots, though you’ll want to check ice conditions before heading out.
Planning Your Lake Visit
Most of these state parks charge a parking fee (typically around $8–10 per vehicle), and some require separate launch fees if you’re bringing a boat. Green Lakes and Jamesville Beach can fill up fast on summer weekends, so I’d recommend arriving before 10am if you want a good spot. Cazenovia has some free street parking in the village if you’re okay with a short walk.
If you’re planning to bring a motorized boat, most of these lakes allow them except Green Lakes State Park, which only permits non-motorized watercraft due to the sensitive nature of its glacial lakes. Oneida Lake and Cross Lake are your best bets for powerboating and water skiing, while Skaneateles and Cazenovia are ideal for kayaking and sailing — both lakes also have marinas (Skaneateles Marina and The Sailboat Shop) that rent kayaks, canoes, and pontoon boats by the day if you don’t have your own gear.
Best Lakes Near Syracuse for Swimming
- Green Lakes State Park — sandy beach and boathouse
- Cazenovia Lake — village access
- Jamesville Reservoir — 100 yards of lifeguarded beach
- Skaneateles Lake — famously pristine water
- Otisco Lake
Best Lakes Near Syracuse for Fishing
- Lake Oneida — the largest, known for yellow perch and walleye
- Cross Lake — walleye, northern pike, tiger muskie
- Onondaga Lake — 60+ species
- Cazenovia Lake — 11+ species
- Salmon River Reservoir — regularly stocked walleye
9 Best Lakes Near Syracuse for Swimming, Fishing & Boating
1. Green Lakes State Park
The 1,955-acre Green Lakes State Park has two glacial lakes: Round Lake and Green Lake. They are meromictic lakes, meaning they have layers of water that don’t mix, making them an unusual blue-green color.
Furthermore, both of them are surrounded by upland forests.
Round Lake
The Round Lake has a surface area of 34 acres and is 170 feet deep.
Green Lake
Green Lake is slightly smaller than Round Lake, about 65 acres in area. However, it’s deeper and is 195 feet in its maximum depth.
In addition to the lakes, the Green Lakes State Park also has an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, a legendary golf course architect. The fishes include rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, and rock bass.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 10 miles
Activities Allowed: Sunbathing, Sandy Beach, Swimming, Boathouse, Fishing, Golfing, Skiing, Mountain Biking, Camping, Boating, Kayaking, Picnic Areas
Note: Private motorized boats aren’t allowed here due to the sensitive nature of these lakes — this is a non-motorized-craft-only lake, so kayaks and canoes only.
You might enjoy reading some of my other articles on nearby Rochester New York: –Waterfalls in Rochester New York –Kayaking near Rochester New York –Haunted Houses in Rochester New York –Best Parks in Rochester
2. Cazenovia Lake
Being a lake within a village, Cazenovia Lake offers various paid and free activities, including fishing, swimming, sightseeing, dining, and more.
The 1,1674-acre area of this alluring lake has a shoreline length of about 9.5 miles and a maximum depth of 45 feet. It’s filled with small and large fishes of many species, including rock bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, white sucker, walleye, and brown bullhead.
The 133-acre Helen L. McNitt State Park on the northeastern shore of Cazenovia Lake can be used to launch kayaks and canoes. Do keep in mind that only two pets are allowed in the park.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 18.2 miles
Activities Allowed: Boating, Kayaking, Swimming, Fishing, Water Skiing, Tubing, Wakeboarding, Wine and Beer Tasting, Historic Site Visit, Bird watching, Cafe and Inn
Accommodation: For somewhere with genuine character, book The Lincklaen House, a beautifully restored 1835 inn right in the village, a few minutes’ walk from the lakeshore, with a well-regarded tavern and dining room. If you’d prefer something more modern, the Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia is a reliable, well-rated option just outside the village.
Check out my article on large inland lakes in the US.
3. Cross Lake
Cross Lake has an area of 1,947 acres. It’s situated on the border of Cayuga and Onondaga counties, and the Seneca River flows through it. Thus, it’s a popular destination for fishing, as various species from the river can be found here.
Some fish dwelling in Cross Lake include walleye, yellow perch, white perch, tiger muskie, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Others include black crappie, black bullhead, bluegill, channel catfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, gizzard shad, longnose gar, and sheepshead.
Cross Lake also has two islands. Though you can’t camp on them, you can still use them for sightseeing, fishing, or waterfowl hunting.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 24 miles
Activities Allowed: Fishing, Boating, Picnic, Hunting, Canoeing, Wakeboarding, Kayaking, Water Skiing
Note: You can’t swim or bathe on the Cross Lake Islands. Furthermore, overnight storage of boats or damaging living vegetation is also out of bounds.
4. Onondaga Lake
In contrast to Green Lake, Onondaga Lake is dimictic, meaning that the layers of water mix completely at least once a year. This lake is famous as both a tourist destination and a sacred place in Onondaga County.
Onondaga Lake is about 4.6 miles long and 1 mile wide. In the past, it suffered decades of environmental damage from nearby industrial sites — swimming was banned by 1940 and fishing by 1970, after the lake earned the unwelcome distinction of being one of the most polluted in the country. Decades of cleanup work, including major investment in wastewater infrastructure, have since transformed it into one of the region’s genuine restoration success stories.
About 60 species of fish now roam in Onondaga Lake, which is a huge improvement from the past; in 1928, there were only ten remaining species in this lake. Fishing reopened in 1986, and the cleanup efforts have been so successful that Onondaga Lake is now one of the best boating and fishing spots in the Syracuse area.
A note on swimming: despite the lake’s remarkable turnaround, there is still no official public swimming beach on Onondaga Lake, and county officials have only discussed reopening one, rather than confirming it. If you want to swim, head to Green Lakes, Jamesville Beach, or Skaneateles instead — Onondaga Lake is best enjoyed for its boating, fishing, and lakeside parkland for now.
The Onondaga area also has four parks, including Onondaga Lake Park, Long Branch Park, and Wegmans Good Dog Park, alongside the Onondaga Lake Park Marina.
A note on the marina: the Onondaga Lake Park Marina is currently closed for a major renovation — its first significant upgrade since it was built in 1933 — and reopening has been pushed back later into the 2026 boating season. If you’re planning to launch a boat, check the Onondaga County Parks website for the marina’s current status before you go, or use one of the lake’s other access points in the meantime.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 5.3 miles
Activities Allowed:
In the lake:
Fishing, Boat Launch, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking, Biking, Wakeboarding
In the Onondaga County parks:
Archery, Athletic Fields, Baseball, Parties, Picnics, Boat Launch, Disc Golf, Sledding, Shuffleboard, Hiking, Skateboarding, etc.
5. Lake Oneida
With an area of about 50,894 acres, Oneida Lake is the largest lake in New York. It’s close to Green Lake and feeds Oneida River, which eventually joins the Seneca River.
This lake is a popular fishing destination for yellow perch and walleye. Other species include freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, northern pike, largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, and more. It also houses lake sturgeon, an endangered species.
When visiting Oneida Lake, you can also relax at Verona Beach State Park and Oneida Shores Park on this lake’s western and eastern shores. Not to mention the Three Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area on the northern end, where you can see or even hunt various animals like white-tailed deer and waterfowl.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 17.7 miles
Activities Allowed: Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, Water Skiing, Camping, Picnics, Tubing, Sailing, and many more.
6. Skaneateles Lake
The clear blue water of Skaneateles can get every visitor in awe. This lake is so pristine that it offers drinking water to about 200,000 homes between Skaneateles and Central New York.
Skaneateles translates to ‘long lake’ in one of the local languages. The lake is about 16 miles long and has an area of about 8,800 acres. Around 13 species of fish reside in this water body, including rainbow trout, lake trout, lake whitefish, cisco, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and landlocked salmon, among others.
Skaneateles Lake is a perfect destination for people who want to enjoy various landmarks and scenic features. It’s close to Carpenter Falls and the historic New Hope Mill (even if it’s closed to the public). The hamlet of Niles on the west offers various activities, and you can also stay in Glen Haven.
If you don’t have your own boat, both Skaneateles Marina and The Sailboat Shop rent kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, and sailboats by the day — handy if you’re travelling without gear and want to get out on the water.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 18.7 miles
Activities Allowed: Hiking trails, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Biking, Canoeing, Picnic Areas
7. Jamesville Reservoir
Jamesville Reservoir is another lake located in Onondaga County. Originally constructed to supply water to the Erie Canal, this reservoir has become a popular holiday destination because of its fishing and its Jamesville Beach Park.
Jamesville Reservoir is 224 acres and has 13 fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, tiger musky, and brown bullhead. The sandy beach park, meanwhile, has 100 yards of lifeguarded waterfront and a playground for children.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 10 miles
Activities Allowed: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Disc Golf, Picnic Areas, Playground, Volleyball, Hiking Trails
8. Otisco Lake
Otisco Lake is an artificial lake created by constructing two separate dams in 1869 and 1908. It’s the easternmost and eighth-biggest finger lake in the area.
A causeway in the south divides Otisco Lake into two basins. The southern one is shallow and turbid, while the main lake is deep and has very clear water.
Otisco Lake is 1,877 acres and offers ideal conditions for various aquatic plant and animal life. It has about 19 fish species and is a popular destination for panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and tiger muskellunge.
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 14.9 miles
Activities Allowed: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Canoeing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, and more.
9. Salmon River Reservoir
Salmon River Reservoir is located in Oswego County in the hamlet of Redfield. Thus, locals also refer to it as the Redfield Reservoir.
This lake occupies an area of about 2,660 acres and has fluctuating water levels around the year. However, the reservoir is stocked regularly with fish, mostly walleye, and you should also be able to catch other species, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, black crappie, and rainbow trout.
The Salmon River State Forest is on the north side of this reservoir. It’s a great place for bird sighting, and while it also has a fishing platform, you should only expect to use it when water levels are high (typically June or July).
Additional Information
Distance from Syracuse: 37.2 miles
Activities Allowed: Fishing, Camping, Boating, Snowmobiling, Canoeing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, and more.
More Lakes in Syracuse
Continuing the above list, here are a few more lakes near downtown Syracuse worth knowing about, along with what each is best for:
| Lake | Distance from Syracuse | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Ontario | 43 miles | Beaches, sightseeing, sunsets |
| Seneca Lake | 64.3 miles | Wine touring, boating |
| Cayuga Lake | 41.2 miles | Fishing, wine touring, waterfalls |
| Owasco Lake | 27 miles | Boating, swimming |
| Delta Reservoir | 52.9 miles | Fishing, camping |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lake near Syracuse?
It depends on what you want to do. Skaneateles Lake is the top pick for swimming and scenery thanks to its exceptionally clear water, Lake Oneida is the best choice for serious fishing and powerboating, and Green Lakes State Park is ideal if you want a sandy beach with a state park’s worth of other activities on hand.
Can you swim in Onondaga Lake?
There is currently no official public swimming beach on Onondaga Lake, despite the lake’s dramatic water quality recovery. Onondaga County has discussed the possibility of adding one, but nothing has been confirmed as of 2026. For swimming, Green Lakes, Jamesville Reservoir, or Skaneateles Lake are better bets nearby.
Which Syracuse-area lakes allow motorized boats?
Most of the lakes on this list allow motorized boats, with the notable exception of Green Lakes State Park, which is non-motorized craft only. Lake Oneida and Cross Lake are the best choices if you want to waterski or bring a powerboat.
Final Words
Syracuse is a great place to visit, even a haven for people who like water and fishing. There are many great lakes within an hour’s drive, most of which also have parks and swimming areas.
I covered all the costs of writing this post on lakes in Syracuse. However, this post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through on one of the links in the article and end up making a purchase I may receive a small commission.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.