Explore New York’s Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes region stretches south-southeast of Rochester and includes 11 glacial lakes, small cities and villages, farmland, vineyards, waterfalls, and state parks. Whether you enjoy scenic drives, boating, hiking, history, or exploring small towns, the region offers countless opportunities for day trips.

1. Conesus Lake

Conesus Lake is the westernmost and closest Finger Lake to Rochester, about a 30-minute drive from the city. Vitale Park in Lakeville, at the lake’s north end, features paved walkways and a footbridge leading to a picturesque island. The park is a pleasant spot for a picnic or a walk along the shoreline. The Conesus Lake Boat Launch is a convenient starting point for exploring the Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area by kayak.

2. Hemlock Lake

Hemlock Lake, about 45 minutes south of Rochester, is protected by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as the city’s drinking water source. Because of this conservation effort, the lake is popular for kayaking and night-sky photography. With limited shoreline development, it offers a quieter experience than many of the Finger Lakes. At Hemlock Lake Park on the north shore, enjoy a picnic, read a book, or take in the view. A drive around the lake takes about 30 minutes, or you can hike trails through Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, including Rob’s Trail, which connects Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

3. Canadice Lake

Canadice Lake is the smallest and highest-elevation Finger Lake, about 45 minutes from Rochester. It takes about 20 minutes to drive around the lake. Dense forest surrounds the lake, creating a secluded setting for paddling. A cartop boat launch is on the eastern shore, and several pull-offs along Canadice Lake Road provide access to the water for launching kayaks. To access the three-mile West Lake Trail, park in the lot off Purcell Hill Road.

4. Honeoye Lake

Honeoye Lake, about 45 minutes from Rochester, is the shallowest of the Finger Lakes, with a maximum depth of just 30 feet. Sandy Bottom Park offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking, and Honeoye Lake Boat Launch State Park provides boat access. A drive around the lake is especially scenic during fall color season, with elevated views from Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area.

5. Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake extends south from the city of Canandaigua, about 30 minutes from Rochester. The city offers a variety of water activities, including kayak rentals, swimming at Kershaw Park, and cruises aboard the Canandaigua Lady, a replica of a 19th-century steamboat. You can also enjoy the colorful historic boathouses along City Pier. It takes about an hour to drive around the lake. Along the way, you can visit Onanda Park on the east shore, Deep Run Park on the west, and the village of Naples at the southern end.

Fun fact: According to Seneca oral tradition, the Seneca people trace their origins to South Hill at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake. The Seneca word for Canandaigua, Kanandague, means “The Chosen Spot.”

6. Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake, known as “The Crooked Lake” for its Y shape, is the central lake among the 11 Finger Lakes. About an hour from Rochester, the lake is bordered by Penn Yan and Branchport to the north and Hammondsport to the south. A 90-minute drive around the lake offers frequent overlooks and access to numerous wineries. Garrett Memorial Chapel offers panoramic views from its hilltop setting. Swimming and kayaking are available at Keuka Lake State Park and at the lakeside parks in Penn Yan and Hammondsport. The seven-mile Keuka Lake Outlet Trail connects Keuka and Seneca Lakes and is popular for hiking and cycling.

7. Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake, about 45 minutes from Rochester, is the largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes. A trip around the lake takes about two hours. In Geneva, visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the Finger Lakes Welcome Center, Seneca Lake State Park, and various restaurants and wineries on the north end. At the south end, visitors to Watkins Glen can hike the Gorge Trail through Watkins Glen State Park, which includes about 800 stone steps; watch a race at Watkins Glen International; or take a stroll along Seneca Lake Pier. Sampson State Park offers unobstructed westward views for sunset watching.

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. A two-hour drive around the lake passes through Seneca Falls, Aurora, Union Springs, and Ithaca. The southern end of the lake, near Ithaca, is known for its waterfalls, gorges, and steep shale cliffs. Taughannock Falls State Park features a 215-foot waterfall and a swimming beach. Other popular lakeside destinations include Cayuga Lake State Park on the west shore, Long Point State Park on the east shore, and Stewart Park in Ithaca. The region is also home to many wineries overlooking the lake.

9. Owasco Lake

Owasco Lake is surrounded by farmland, with the city of Auburn at the north end, just 75 minutes from Rochester. At Emerson Park, visitors can swim, rent kayaks, explore Deauville Island and the pier, or attend a performance at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, home of the REV Theatre Company. A scenic 45-minute drive around the lake passes through Moravia, with Fillmore Glen State Park just south of the village.

10. Skaneateles Lake

Skaneateles Lake is anchored by the village of Skaneateles at its northern end, about 90 minutes from Rochester. Visitors will find shops and dining along Genesee and Jordan Streets. Thayer Park offers a lawn with a panoramic view across the lake. Clift Park features a pier, swimming beach, and gazebo, and serves as a launch point for boat tours. A one-hour drive around the lake offers additional views of the shoreline and surrounding hillsides.

11. Otisco Lake

Otisco Lake is the easternmost of the Finger Lakes. It takes about one hour and 40 minutes to drive from Rochester to Otisco Lake Park. At the south end of the lake, you’ll find the Otisco Lake Causeway, which once carried wagon and later automobile traffic. A public boat launch is on the west side of the causeway. A gap in the causeway creates a channel between the lake’s north and south ends, making it a popular spot for kayaking and fishing. There are no public swimming areas on Otisco Lake. A drive around the lake takes about 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 Caledonia in the west to Auburn in the east, passing through Canandaigua, Geneva, and Seneca Falls. In some areas, the road is known by other names, such as Genesee Street or Main Street, and it 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, connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie as it passed through a valley between the Adirondack and 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?

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