Onondaga County Parks
Rate this placeNearby: First Ward Cemetery Grosso Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Onondaga County Parks in the state of New York offer numerous opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.
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Summary
With over 20 parks and preserves, visitors can hike, bike, fish, swim, camp, and explore historic landmarks.
Some of the top points of interest include the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Green Lakes State Park, and Beaver Lake Nature Center. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is home to over 700 animals from around the world, and visitors can explore exhibits such as the elephant preserve, primate park, and penguin coast. Green Lakes State Park features two glacial lakes with clear, turquoise water and numerous hiking trails. Beaver Lake Nature Center offers over 9 miles of trails through wetlands, forests, and meadows, with opportunities to see a variety of wildlife.
Interesting facts about the park system include that it was established in 1924 and covers over 7,000 acres of land. The parks are also home to numerous historic sites, including the Erie Canal Museum, which showcases the history and impact of the Erie Canal on the region.
The best time of year to visit the parks depends on the activities and attractions that visitors are interested in. Summer is ideal for swimming, camping, and outdoor events, while fall offers spectacular foliage and hiking opportunities. Winter activities include ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, while spring brings blooming wildflowers and birdwatching opportunities.
Overall, Onondaga County Parks provide a diverse range of experiences and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.
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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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Green Lakes State Park
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Rolling Hills Camping Area
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Pine Woods Camping Area
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Oneida Shores County Park
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First Ward Cemetery
Grosso Park
Alvord Park
Syracuse Inner Harbor
Upper Union Park