Location: Fayetteville, NY
This beautiful state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY just south of Syracuse. The Old Growth Trail is a 3 mile trail that can be accessed by the main parking area, the campground, or from one of the other trails. I took a branch off of the Round Lake Trail loop to hike part of the Old Growth Trail. There was a small wooden bridge over a small cascade. The trail surface was dirt and would not be stroller friendly.
According to the Old-Growth Forest Network, “The Old-Growth Trail marked with orange trail signs will take visitors into the Tuliptree Cathedral. This may be the tallest publicly owned forest in central New York, with tulip-poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera) well over 120 feet tall. In this small area, some of the hemlocks and tulip-poplars are estimated to be 300 years old.”
General Park Info:
- According to the official website: “Green Lakes State Park’s outstanding features are its two glacial lakes surrounded by upland forest. Both Round and Green Lakes are meromictic lakes, which means that there is no fall and spring mixing of surface and bottom waters. Such lakes have a high potential for evidence of ancient plant and animal life.”
- This park has a swimming beach, kayak rentals, fishing, playgrounds, public restrooms, snack stands, picnic areas, pavilions, a Little Free Library, a small educational building, and lots of great nature trails! There is also a golf course, disc golf course, and campground at this park.
- Leashed dogs are allowed. Note: pets are not permitted within boats, playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, and guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).
- A Hippocampe Beach/All Terrain wheelchair is now available at Green Lakes State Park to access beach and trails. The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first come, first serve basis from 11am-7pm. Please check with the lifeguards at the beach for availability.
- A small portion of the park allows hunting. Find more information here.
Trail Map: Trail Map
AllTrails: Green Lake to Round Lake Trail
Official Website: NY State Parks; Go Finger Lakes
Other Websites: NY Falls; Uncovering New York; CNY Hiking
