The eleven Finger Lakes stretch across 120 miles of central New York, and each one handles public access differently. Some lakes have multiple free boat launches, public beaches, and a marina every few miles. Others are so restricted that locals wait years for a seasonal dock permit. Before you strap a kayak to your roof or book a pontoon rental, you need to know what you are getting into lake by lake.
Big Lakes, Open Access
Seneca Lake
Seneca is the largest Finger Lake by volume — 38 miles long, 618 feet deep, holding more water than all the other Finger Lakes combined. Its size means plenty of public access, but it also means serious waves when the wind picks up. On a windy day, 3- to 4-foot swells are common, and small kayaks and canoes should stay close to shore.
Public boat launches: DEC launches at Watkins Glen (south end), Lodi Point (east shore), and Sampson State Park (east shore). The Village of Geneva operates a launch at the north end. Most launches are free or charge $7–$10 per vehicle. Marinas with slips and transient docking are at Watkins Glen, Geneva, and along the east shore.
Public swimming: Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva has a sandy beach, bathhouse, and lifeguards in summer. Sampson State Park on the east shore also has a beach. Clute Memorial Park in Watkins Glen offers a free public lakefront park with swimming access (no lifeguards).
Rentals: Several outfitters near Watkins Glen and Geneva rent pontoon boats, jet skis, and kayaks seasonally. Pontoon rentals typically run $250–$400 for a half day.
Cayuga Lake
Cayuga is the longest Finger Lake at 38.2 miles. Public access is good, particularly along the west shore and at both ends.
Public boat launches: Ithaca municipal launch (Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, free), Taughannock Falls State Park (west shore), Long Point State Park (east shore, near Aurora), and Dean’s Cove (east shore, near Lansing). The Cayuga Lake inlet in Ithaca has a separate launch for smaller boats and canoes.
Public swimming: Taughannock Falls State Park beach is the most popular — a sandy lakeside beach with changing facilities. Stewart Park in Ithaca has a free public beach at the south end of the lake. Long Point State Park has a small beach on the east shore.
Kayaking: The southern end of Cayuga Lake near Ithaca is sheltered and relatively calm, making it the best section for kayaking. The Cayuga Lake Inlet and the marshes at the south end are excellent for flatwater paddling and birdwatching.
Keuka Lake
Keuka is the Y-shaped lake, forking into two arms at its northern end. Its irregular shape creates sheltered bays and coves that are ideal for kayaking and small boats. The water is clean and the shoreline is less developed than Seneca or Cayuga.
Public boat launches: Hammondsport (south end, Village launch), Penn Yan (northeast arm, DEC launch), and Branchport (northwest arm, small launch). All three are free. The Hammondsport launch is the most accessible and has the best parking.
Public swimming: Keuka has limited public beach access. The Village of Penn Yan has a small public waterfront at Indian Pines Park. Keuka Lake State Park on the west shore between Branchport and Hammondsport has a beach, though it can be crowded on summer weekends.
Rentals: Pontoon boats and jet skis are available from outfitters in Hammondsport and Penn Yan. Expect to pay $275–$375 for a half-day pontoon rental.
Moderate Access
Canandaigua Lake
Canandaigua strikes a balance between accessible and protected. The north end, in the City of Canandaigua, is the most open. The south end and western shore are quieter and more residential.
Public boat launches: The City of Canandaigua operates a launch at the north end (fee: $10/vehicle). A DEC launch at Woodville on the west shore provides free access. These are the only two public launches on the lake.
Public swimming: Kershaw Park in the City of Canandaigua is a standout — a large, free public beach at the north end of the lake with a sandy swimming area, a pier, concessions, and a playground. It is one of the best free public beaches in the entire Finger Lakes region. Onanda Park on the west shore (about 7 miles south of the city) has a smaller beach with a modest day-use fee and trails into the surrounding forest.
Kayaking: Canandaigua is a superb kayaking lake. It is 15 miles long, narrow, and usually calmer than Seneca or Cayuga. Launch from the Woodville DEC site for a scenic paddle along the wooded west shore.
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles is the drinking water supply for Syracuse, so the lake has strict watershed regulations. Motorboats are allowed, but there are restrictions on fuel types and discharge. The water clarity is exceptional — often exceeding 30 feet of visibility — making it a striking lake for swimming and paddling.
Public access is limited. The primary public launch is at Mandana on the east shore. The village pier in Skaneateles offers limited transient docking. Shotwell Park in the village has a small public swim area. There is no public beach with lifeguards.
Owasco Lake
Owasco is the most access-restricted of the major Finger Lakes. Emerson Park, operated by Cayuga County at the north end of the lake, is essentially the only public access point. It has a boat launch, a beach (with a day-use fee), and picnic facilities. That is it. There is no other public launch, no other public beach, and no public marina. If you want to get on Owasco, Emerson Park is where you go.
The lake is 11 miles long and 177 feet deep, with clear water and good fishing. If you can get on it, the paddling is excellent. But the access bottleneck is real, especially on summer weekends when the parking lot at Emerson fills early.
Protected Lakes: No Motors Allowed
Hemlock and Canadice Lakes
Hemlock and Canadice are the water supply for the City of Rochester, and they carry the strictest regulations of any Finger Lakes. No motorized boats of any kind are allowed. No gasoline or electric motors. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats only. No swimming. No body contact with the water at all — if your kayak tips, you are technically in violation.
These restrictions make Hemlock and Canadice the quietest, most pristine paddling experiences in the region. Both lakes are almost entirely undeveloped — no houses line the shores, and dense hemlock and hardwood forest runs right to the waterline. Canadice is the smaller of the two (about 3 miles long) and feels genuinely remote. Hemlock is 7 miles long and slightly wider.
Hemlock has a car-top boat launch on the east shore at Hemlock Lake Park (Livingston County). Canadice has a car-top launch at the north end off Canadice Lake Road. Both are free. Bring your own canoe or kayak — there are no rental outfitters on either lake.
Best Swimming Holes Beyond the Lakes
The Finger Lakes region has some of the best freshwater swimming holes in the Northeast, and several are inside state parks alongside waterfalls.
Robert H. Treman State Park Swimming Hole
A stone-lined natural pool at the base of Enfield Glen, fed by the creek that runs through the gorge. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. The water is cold — creek-fed, so it stays in the 60s even in August — but the setting, surrounded by gorge walls and hemlock trees, is dramatic. State park entrance fee applies.
Buttermilk Falls Natural Pool
A deep swimming hole at the base of Buttermilk Falls, right next to the parking lot. The falls cascade directly into the pool, creating a natural waterfall swimming experience. Lifeguards in summer. State park entrance fee applies.
Second Dam, Ithaca
A popular local swimming spot on Six Mile Creek, just south of Ithaca. A former dam site creates a wide, deep pool in a wooded setting. It is on city-owned land and is free to access, though there are no lifeguards or facilities. Parking is limited along Giles Street. Locals pack this spot on hot summer days.
Kayak and Boat Rental Outfitters
You do not need to own a boat to get on the water in the Finger Lakes. Rental outfitters operate on most of the major lakes from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Seneca Lake: Pontoon and jet ski rentals available through outfitters in Watkins Glen and Geneva. Kayak rentals at Seneca Lake State Park.
- Canandaigua Lake: Canandaigua Sailboarding (kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and small sailboats) operates from Kershaw Park. Seager Marine offers pontoon and ski boat rentals.
- Keuka Lake: Rentals in Hammondsport and Penn Yan include pontoons, jet skis, and kayaks.
- Cayuga Lake: Kayak and canoe rentals at Taughannock Falls State Park and from outfitters near the Ithaca waterfront.
Reservations are strongly recommended for pontoon boats in July and August — the popular rental fleets book out weeks in advance.
Safety on the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are not ocean-sized, but they demand respect. A few things to keep in mind:
- Wind and waves: Seneca and Cayuga are long and narrow, which funnels wind and can produce 3- to 4-foot waves quickly. Check the forecast before heading out, and pay attention to shifts in wind direction.
- Cold water: The deep lakes stay cold well into summer. Surface temperatures reach the mid-70s by late July, but just a few feet down, temperatures drop sharply. Hypothermia is a real risk for anyone who capsizes far from shore in June or early July.
- Life jackets: New York State law requires one Coast Guard-approved PFD per person on board. Children under 12 must wear a PFD at all times while on a vessel under 21 feet.
- No-wake zones: Most lakes enforce no-wake zones within 200 feet of shore. Obey them — the fines are real and the regulation protects swimmers, docks, and shoreline habitat.
