Explore New York’s Finger Lakes Region

The eleven Finger Lakes, listed from west to east, are Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco.

The Finger Lakes region is a diverse and picturesque area located south-southeast of Rochester. It encompasses cities, villages, farmland, and 11 lakes, making it a versatile tourist destination.

Visitors can enjoy activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, and dining while taking in the natural beauty of the lakes. They can take a leisurely lakeside stroll or embark on a challenging hike along scenic hilltops or deep into the region’s unique waterfall gorges.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Finger Lakes region is home to a thriving wine industry. Over 100 wineries in the region produce some of the finest wines in the country. Visitors can tour the vineyards, savor local wines, and learn about winemaking. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast or a wine connoisseur, the Finger Lakes region is the perfect destination for a memorable vacation.

1. Conesus Lake

Located just 30 minutes from Rochester, Conesus Lake is the westernmost and closest Finger Lake to the city. Vitale Park in Lakeville, located at the north end of the lake, features paved walkways and a footbridge that leads to a picturesque island. This makes it an ideal spot for picnicking and leisurely walks. Additionally, the Conesus Lake Boat Launch offers access to kayaks to explore the Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area.

2. Hemlock Lake

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) protects Hemlock Lake, situated 45 minutes south of Rochester, as the city’s drinking water source. Because of this conservation effort, the lake is popular for kayaking and night-sky photography. The peaceful surroundings make it a great spot to relax and recharge. At Hemlock Lake Park, on the north shore, quietly enjoy a picnic, read a book, or put in a kayak using the launch. A drive around the entire lake takes about 30 minutes, or you can hike one of several trails through Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, such as Rob’s Trail, which connects Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

3. Canadice Lake

Canadice Lake is the smallest and highest lake in elevation, located 45 minutes from Rochester. It takes about 20 minutes to drive around the entire lake. It is surrounded by dense forest, making it an ideal spot for kayaking. There is a cartop boat launch on the eastern shore and several parking spots along Canadice Lake Road, where you can carry a kayak down to the water. If you want to access the west-lake trail, which stretches three miles along the lake’s length, you can park in the lot off Purcell Hill Road.

4. Honeoye Lake

Honeoye Lake, located 45 minutes from Rochester, is the shallowest of the Finger Lakes, with a depth of only 30 feet. Sandy Bottom Park offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking amenities, while Honeoye Lake Boat Launch State Park provides boat access. One of the highlights is the scenic drive, particularly beautiful in the fall, with stunning views of the lake from Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area on Canadice Hill.

5. Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua, located at the north end of Canandaigua Lake, is just 30 minutes from Rochester. The city offers a variety of water activities, including kayak rentals, swimming at Kershaw Park, and cruises on the Canandaigua Lady, a replica of a 19th-century steamboat. You can also enjoy the sight of the 80 colorful boathouses on City Pier. It takes about an hour to drive around the entire lake, and along the way, you can visit popular spots such as Onanda Park on the east shore, Deep Run Park on the west, and the town of Naples at the southern end.

6. Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake is known as “The Crooked Lake” because of its distinctive Y shape, and it is the central lake among the 11 Finger Lakes. Located about an hour’s drive from Rochester, it is home to Penn Yan and Branchport in the north and Hammondsport in the south. A 90-minute drive around the lake offers stunning views and the chance to visit numerous wineries. Garrett Memorial Chapel provides a unique space to enjoy the lake’s beauty. Visitors can also participate in swimming and kayaking at Keuka Lake State Park and the lakeside parks in Penn Yan and Hammondsport. For those interested in hiking or cycling, the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail offers a seven-mile trek between Keuka and Seneca Lakes.

7. Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake, located 45 minutes from Rochester, is the largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes. A trip around the lake takes approximately two hours. In Geneva, visitors can enjoy stunning lake views from the Finger Lakes Welcome Center, Seneca Lake State Park, and various restaurants and wineries on the lake’s north end. At the south end, visitors can climb the 800 stone steps through the gorge in Watkins Glen, watch an exciting race at Watkins Glen International, or take a stroll down Seneca Lake Pier. The eastern shore offers beautiful sunset views from Sampson State Park.

8. Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake, 38 miles long, is the longest of the Finger Lakes and the only one with lighthouses. It takes about an hour to drive from Rochester to the north end, and a two-hour drive around the lake will take you through Seneca Falls, Aurora, Union Springs, and Ithaca. The area is renowned for its gorges and streams. Taughannock Falls State Park offers a stunning waterfall and a swimming beach. Other popular spots to access the lake include Cayuga Lake State Park on the west, Long Point State Park on the east, and Stewart Park on the south end in Ithaca. The region is also home to many wineries offering breathtaking lake views.

9. Owasco Lake

Owasco Lake is surrounded by farmland, with the city of Auburn located at the north end, 75 minutes from Rochester. At Emerson Park, visitors can swim in the lake, explore Deauville Island and the pier, rent kayaks, or attend a performance by REV Theatre Company at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Enjoy a 45-minute drive around the lake from Auburn to Moravia, where you’ll find Fillmore Glen State Park.

10. Skaneateles Lake

Skaneateles, a charming village located at the lake’s northern end, is approximately 75 minutes from Rochester. Visitors will find unique shops and dining options along Genesee and Jordan streets. Thayer Park provides a lawn area where you can take in the breathtaking lake view. Meanwhile, Clift Park features a pier, swimming beach, and gazebo and is a launch point for boat tours. The Finger Lakes region offers various cruises, with the three-hour Mailboat Cruise on Skaneateles Lake standing out as a unique and memorable experience. Alternatively, you can opt for a one-hour scenic drive around the lake.

11. Otisco Lake

Otisco Lake is the easternmost of the Finger Lakes. It takes about 90 minutes from Rochester to reach Otisco Lake Park, which has a small parking lot and a picnic area. On the south end of the lake, you’ll find the Otisco Lake Causeway, a former roadway that used to cross the lake. On the causeway’s west side, a public boat launch is available. A gap in the causeway creates a channel between the north and south ends of the lake, making it a great spot for kayaking and fishing. Otisco has no public swimming areas. You can drive around the entire lake in 30 minutes.

Routes 5 & 20, a 67-mile convergence of New York State Route 5 and US Route 20, is a gently rolling scenic highway. It connects the Town of Avon in the west to Auburn in the east, passing through Canandaigua, Geneva, and Seneca Falls. The road is known as Genesee Street in some areas and Main Street in others and serves as the main thoroughfare for the towns and villages it passes through. The route follows a foot trail used by the region’s first inhabitants that connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie as it passed through a valley between the Adirondack and the Catskill Mountains. New York State Route 5 was originally constructed in 1794 to connect Fort Schuyler in Utica on the Mohawk River with Canawaugus in Caledonia on the Genesee River.

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Which are your favorite Finger Lakes?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.