Lake Erie State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Lake Erie State Park is a beautiful 355-acre park located in western New York.
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Summary
It is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The park has many attractions, including a sandy beach, picnic areas, and a playground. Visitors can explore the park's nature trails, which offer stunning views of Lake Erie.
One of the main attractions of the park is the stunning 80-foot high cliff that overlooks the lake. This cliff is a popular spot for hiking and bird watching. Another point of interest is the park's marina, which offers boat rentals and a boat launch to explore the lake's waters.
Interesting facts about the park include that it is one of the oldest state parks in New York, having been established in 1928. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and has been a popular destination for families ever since.
The best time to visit Lake Erie State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the lake is perfect for swimming and boating. However, the park is also a great destination during the winter months, when visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Overall, Lake Erie State Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway. With its beautiful scenery, numerous recreational activities, and fascinating history, it is a must-visit destination in western 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.
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| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Lake Erie State Park
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KOA Kampgrounds
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