Green Lakes State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Green Lakes State Park is a popular destination located in upstate New York.
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Summary
Visitors are drawn to the park for its stunning natural beauty and numerous recreational activities. One of the park's main attractions is the two glacial lakes, which are both a striking blue-green color due to their high mineral content. Visitors can swim, fish, or paddle in the lakes, or simply relax on the sandy beaches.
In addition to the lakes, the park also offers over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as several picnic areas and a golf course. There is also a nature center where visitors can learn about the local flora and fauna.
Interesting facts about the park include its designation as a National Natural Landmark, and the fact that it was once the site of an Onondaga tribe village. The park was also used as a training ground for soldiers during World War II.
The best time of year to visit Green Lakes State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lakes are open for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other winter sports.
Overall, Green Lakes State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities of upstate New York.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Rolling Hills Camping Area
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Pine Woods Camping Area
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Green Lakes State Park
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