Green Lakes State Park

Green Lakes State Park is a New York State Park located east of Syracuse in the town of Manlius. The park is centered on two small meromictic lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake, which have an unusual blue-green color, and preserves the largest stand of old growth forest in Central New York. The lakes lie at the base of a gorge just over a mile long, both of which are remnants of the ice ages and exemplify the unusual geology of upstate New York.

Green Lake has a surface area of 65 acres and a maximum depth of 195 feet. Round Lake has a surface area of 34 acres and a maximum depth of 170 feet. Nearly half the park's area is old-growth forest, which includes large specimens of tuliptrees, sugar maples, beech, basswood, hemlocks, and white cedars.

A grove of trees, lying immediately to the southwest of Round Lake, has been called the Tuliptree Cathedral. The park also has a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Green Lakes State Park occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a State Park in New York, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Green Lakes State Park into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	State Park
State	New York
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.