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World Atlas names 7 must-see crystal-clear lakes in New York. See the list
Eight charming towns in the Finger Lakes
Explore eight charming towns in the Finger Lakes, each with unique attractions. From historic Seneca Falls to the grape-renowned Naples, discover the gems of this scenic region.
From the Finger Lakes to the Adirondacks, New York state is filled with stunning waterways.
World Atlas, a website publishing content about resources and entertainment on geography, has revealed seven crystal clear lakes to visit in New York, three of which are in the Finger Lakes region. Whether you want to drink in the pristine views or of head out on the water to fish or paddle, these lakes are a stellar bet.
Here is the list of crystal-clear lakes in upstate New York, as determined by the World Atlas:
Lake George
Located in Warren and Essex counties, Lake George is the largest and one of the best-known lakes in the Adirondacks. Nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, it is 187 feet deep, roughly 3 miles wide, and 32 miles long, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It is one of the country’s cleanest and clearest lakes. Boating is one of the most popular activities here but visitors also regularly parasail, swim or sunbathe at the lake’s Million Dollar Beach.
Skaneateles Lake
Located in Onondaga County, Skaneateles Lake is Skaneateles Lake is considered to be one of the highest Finger Lakes, at almost nine hundred feet above sea level. The lake is 16 miles long, 3/4 of a mile wide, and 315 feet deep. Its water is also the purest among all the Finger Lakes. Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities at the lake.
Green Lake
It is one of the few meromictic lakes in the nation, meaning it is one in which layers of water do not mix, according to World Atlas. Located in Onondaga County, Green Lake is the larger of the two lakes within Green Lakes State Park and has stunning turquoise waters. The lake, located at the base of a gorge, is 195 feet deep and around 3,800 feet wide. Fishing, swimming and paddling are popular here.
Lake Placid
Located in Essex County in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid is on shore of a village by the same name. The lake is 2,170 acres with an average depth of 50 feet and has three islands – Buck, Moose and Hawk, according to the World Atlas. It is about 4 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. Lake Placid is fed by streams and springs and is a source of drinking water for the village. Boating, paddling and fishing are popular activities
Canadice Lake
Located in southwestern Ontario County, Canadice Lake is among the smallest of the Finger Lakes at 3 miles long and one-third of a mile wide. It has a depth of 95 feet. The lake is roughly 30 miles from Rochester and has been a source of drinking water in the Flour City for more than 150 years. To preserve water quality, swimming and camping are prohibited. Fishing is a main activity on the lake, which is surrounded by the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest.
Otsego Lake
Otsego Lake – also called Glimmerglass Lake – is in Otsego County. The lake lies northeast of Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown – and the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, and has a surface area of 4,046 acres. It is about 8 miles long and between 82 and 167 feet deep, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Boating, swimming, fishing and ice fishing are popular activities.
Hemlock Lake
Located in southeastern Livingston County, Hemlock Lake is also located within the Finger Lakes region. Like nearby Canadice Lake, Hemlock is also surrounded by the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. Hemlock is larger however, at 7 miles long, a half-mile across and roughly 90 feet deep. Also like Canadice Lake, Hemlock serves as a water source for the City of Rochester, so boating is restricted. Fishing is also a popular activity here.