Best Lakes for Boating in New York

The state of New York is famous for many different things. Most people think of the Big Apple, AKA New York City. Since it is the largest city in the United States, it’s understandable that people tend to think of it when thinking of the entire state of New York. Although New York City draws a lot of attention, there are other attractions throughout the state as well.

One unique attraction found in the state of New York is the Adirondack State Park. This park is the largest in the continental United States. Do you know what’s even better than a beautiful park filled with mountains? A beautiful park filled with lakes surrounded by mountains. Some of the most beautiful lakes found in the country are found in this area in the state of New York.

Now, not all the favorite lakes are located within the boundaries of the Adirondack mountains. However, they are all breathtaking and offer views that cannot be found anywhere else. Some are surrounded by historical homes and mansions whereas others are more remote and surrounded by waves of trees flowing through the mountains. 

I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Let’s take a look at the top 5 lakes in the state of New York. These lakes have earned their spot on this limited list because of their popularity, views, cleanliness, and uniqueness. Each lake is considered a must-see so be sure to check these out on your next trip to New York.

1. Chautauqua Lake

The lake that has earned the number one spot on the list is Chautauqua Lake. The reason this lake is ranked number one is because of the accommodations and history that surround the lake. With 4 public swimming beaches and 5 public boat launches, you won’t need to worry about limited activities. 

The lake has a maximum depth of 78 feet and an average depth of 25ft. This depth range is perfect for boating. Since it’s somewhat of a shallower lake, the lake is likely to warm up much faster than deeper lakes. It is still, on average, deep enough for all the watersports you would ever want to try. 

Chautauqua Lake is also very popular for fishing. The lake has an abundance of Bass, Muskellunge, and walleye making for a fisher's dream lake. In the cooler months, this lake is also very popular for ice fishing. Make sure to plan your trip out to visit Chautauqua Lake during the season that interests you the most. 

Fishing isn’t the only thing that draws people to this lake. The Chautauqua Institution draws people from all over to take classes on Arts, Literature, and other interests as well. The institution is located right off the lake. With a gorgeous campus, be sure to take a walk around the Chautauqua Institution and the town around it. 

Lake Chautauqua is a beautiful lake that encapsulates the small-town community feel. If you visit this lake, I have no doubt you will enjoy your time. No matter whether it's summer, winter, spring, or fall. There is always something to do around the lake.

2. Lake George

The lake ranked at number two hardly sits behind Lake Chautauqua. Some may even argue that it should be in the number one spot. Aside from that, Lake George is a very well-known lake in the Northeast side of New York. It is located in the Adirondack mountains. 

Because of the location of this lake, it’s safe to assume that it has some magnificent views and unique places to check out on the lake. The lake is a total of 44 square miles which is pretty big. It’ll take some time to explore the entire lake. It takes roughly 3 hours to get from one end of the lake to the other. 

Lake George is perfect for all kinds of boating. Whether you are a wakeboarder, sailor, fisherman, or kayaker, you will undoubtedly love this lake. The lake has an average depth of 187 feet making it one of the deeper lakes in the state of New York. The depth of the lake makes it perfect for wakeboarding and wake surfing since you won’t have to worry so much about shallow areas. 

There are also plenty of cooler weather activities to indulge in on Lake George. Some include white-water rafting, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. There are plenty of fun activities for the whole family. Don’t worry about running out of things to do on the lake, there’s always something new to try.

Another activity that Lake George is known for is a cruise by Millionaire Row. Millionaire row is a historic part of the lake where mansions were built long ago. Some of those mansions still stay standing today. If you find yourself on Lake George, be sure to drive by these historical homes to see some true beauty.

Lake George is a beautiful lake with a lot of different things to do. If you’re looking for a perfect lake to take your pontoon or wakeboard boat for a spin, this might be the perfect lake. With the Adirondack mountains surrounding the lake, you won’t be disappointed by the views. 

3. Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is located between Vermont’s Green mountains and the Adirondack mountains. Basically, instead of only getting beautiful views from one mountain range, you’re getting views from two different mountain ranges. Although I’ve never gotten the opportunity to visit this lake, I can only imagine how beautiful it must be on a warm summer evening when the sun is beginning to set behind the mountains. 

This lake is known around the country for its world-class fishing. The lake is stocked full of over 80 species of fish. It holds many record-sized fish so if you’re looking for some big fish, you may want to take a trip over to Lake Champlain. 

Along with world-class fishing, swimming is also a popular activity at the lake. There are numerous public beaches around the lake. Or, you can swim right off your boat wherever you’re anchored. Lake Champlain is a boater’s paradise with protected bays, beaches, and numerous public launches. 

Take your boat out for the day to enjoy some watersports. You may even be able to find your quiet cove to escape the wind and chop from other boats. It’ll make for the most picturesque boat cruise around.

Lake Champlain is also one of the cleanest lakes in the region. Since the lake is so clean, it has a very beautiful blue look and feels very refreshing when going for a swim. If you don’t own a boat, no worries as several marinas around the lake have rental boats available. 

With around 500 miles of shoreline, there are many unique locations to check out. If you’re traveling to Upstate New York, Lake Champlain is an attraction you won’t want to miss out on. It is a beautiful spot no matter the season. Plan your next trip to Lake Champlain to enjoy some peace on a gorgeous lake. 

4. Cayuga Lake

If you’re looking for one of the best lakes in New York for boating, look no further. Cayuga Lake is a boater's dream lake. It doesn’t matter if you are a fisherman, fan of watersports, sailor, or swimmer, you won’t be disappointed with Cayuga Lake. 

This lake is close to 40 miles long and it has an average depth of 179 feet. It is the second deepest lake of the finger lakes. The finger lakes in New York consist of 11 lakes that all look like fingers, hence the name. They are long narrow lakes that were formed from glaciers in Central New York. 

Cayuga Lake, in particular, is a perfect destination for a vacation on a lake. There are many things to do around the lake. Wineries surround the lake which makes for the perfect adventure if you’re looking for some time off of the water. There are also beautiful hiking trails and a popular waterfall you may want to check out as well.

There are so many beautiful lakes in the state of New York. It can be hard to pick a destination when traveling. Cayuga Lake is intriguing because it’s not quite as far North as some other lakes. It is also not in the Adirondack Mountains making it more accessible when driving to and from the lake. 

5. Skaneateles Lake

Last on our list is Skaneateles Lake. Even though it may come in fifth, there is no doubt that this lake holds tremendous beauty and is most definitely a bucket list must-visit. One special fact about this lake is that it is the cleanest lake in the state of New York. That fact alone makes me want to jump in and take a swim.

The reason this lake is much cleaner than other lakes is that it is considered to be Oligotrophic. This means that it lacks the nutrients needed for seaweed and algae to grow. Reviewers have stated that swimming in this lake is extremely refreshing and nice since you don’t have to worry about touching gross algae or seaweed. 

Along with the beauty of the water itself, historic mansions surround the lake. You can cruise around the lake to see all the beautiful mansions that are decades old. If you’re looking to visit a beautiful lake with a lot of history, Skaneateles Lake may be the perfect destination for you.

Visit New York Lakes

New York has so many lakes that are known around the country and possibly the world for their unmatched beauty. You can find popular, developed lakes or you can find remote, secluded lakes. Whichever is your preference, I’m sure there’s a lake in New York that fits your fancy. 

These lakes are not only gorgeous, but they all hold so much history. You can spend a lot of time exploring surrounding areas to learn all about the history of the lake. There are also other activities around these lakes you can participate in. There is something for the whole family to enjoy while visiting. 

Be sure to consider a trip to one of these magnificent lakes next time you visit New York. You could maybe even plan a road trip to see them all. You won’t be disappointed if you take a boat cruise on any of these beautiful lakes.