Green Lakes State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Although it may only be just over three square miles, Green Lakes State Park is a sight to behold, tucked into the New York State countryside just east of Syracuse. Named for the two glacial lakes that carve pools into the land’s greenery, the park is both a welcome respite from city life nearby residents and a destination worth traveling to from further abroad.
Among the park’s many attractions, including miles of wooded hiking trails and recreational opportunities both on and around the lakes themselves, Green Lakes State Park is also home to one of the most noteworthy golf courses on Earth, a full-sized 18-hole range designed by master golf course architect Robert Trent Jones early on in his career. It also offers camping accommodations, cabins, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a host of other activities and features to keep you and the family busy for a long weekend.
Ready to take a Green Lakes State Park getaway and leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind? Read on to discover all you need to know to make the most of this special landscape!
Spring 26-70 F
Summer 62-83 F
Fall 35-75 F
Winter 18-39 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Green Lakes State Park
As much as we love tent camping, we have to admit: a travel trailer or motorhome is a definite upgrade. And if you haven’t experienced a state park in a rig of your own yet, it’s time to try out the #RVlife by renting on the peer-to-peer market at RVshare.
Green Lakes State Park is open and accessible to travel trailers and motorhomes, offering campsites with electrical hookups and RV dump stations to keep you comfortable for the length of your stay. That said, reservations at this small state park tend to fill up quickly, so if you can’t find a site through the Park Service’s online booking system, you can choose from one of the other RV parks and campground resorts in the greater Syracuse area. Here are a few of our favorites!
The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone Resort and Casino
With 175 paved sites featuring full hookups and free wifi, The Villages RV Park is truly a luxury resort experience. It offers a heated pool, hot tub, and wide range of recreational areas, including horseshoes, bocce, tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Because it’s part of the Turning Stone Casino resort, there’s also a complimentary shuttle service that’ll take you to the house if you’re feeling lucky. It’s all just a short ride away from Green Lakes, as well as the host of other outdoor activities to tackle in the Syracuse area.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: arcade, bath house, big-rig friendly, boat rentals, fishing, bikes, laundromat, game courts
Sylvan Beach Campgrounds
Although they may be two of the prettiest, Green and Round Lake aren’t the only games in the area. Nearby Oneida Lake is surrounded by campgrounds, which offer a range of different recreational opportunities and amenities. From saltwater pools to mini-golf courses and arcades, if Green Lakes State Park is full up, it’s well worth looking into the Sylvan Beach family of campgrounds. Many of them offer spacious pull-thru sites with electric hookups, as well as boat launch ramps and dockage.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pools, mini golf, arcades, boat ramps, dockage -- varies by individual park
Oneida Shores Park
A public camping option on Oneida Lake, this park offers more than 50 shaded sites with lake views, including both dry camping and sites with water and electric hookups. The park is also home to athletic fields, boat ramps, picnic areas, and playgrounds; you can even rent a boat if you don’t have one of your own at the onsite rental facility.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no -- but there’s a dump station
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: athletic fields, horseshoes, playgrounds, boat rentals, boat launch ramps, picnic areas, fishing
What to Do at
Green Lakes State Park
Inside Green Lakes State Park
There’s so much to see and do inside this beautiful state park. Here are just a few of the options that await you.
Boating, kayaking, and canoeing - Green Lakes State Park is so named for its two glacial lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake. These lakes are distinct from others like them in the area in that they’re meromictic, which means there’s no mixing of the top and bottom layers of water during the fall and spring season. Such lakes are host to a wider variety of wildlife and have a beautiful, turquoise-green color that gives the park its moniker. Because these lakes are so special, no outside boats, kayaks, or canoes are allowed on their surfaces, but you can rent boats inside the park once you arrive between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Hiking and nature walking - Although the park encompasses less than four square miles, more than 15 miles of hiking trails wind their way through its boundaries. These trails are open to nature walkers and hikers as well as cross-country skiers in the winter time.
Beaches - Who said you had to be on the ocean to enjoy a beach? Green Lakes State Park’s waterways offer lovely coastlines, and thanks to a generous grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, an all-terrain wheelchair is available at no extra charge to make the beach accessible to all visitors. (Check with the lifeguards for availability.)
Golf - Green Lakes State Park is home to a full-size, 18-hole golf course created by renowned golf course mastermind Robert Trent Jones. Disc golf is also popular at the park, if you’d rather toss than putt.
Fishing - If you’re not paddling on the lake, you might as well be pulling dinner from it! Fishing is allowed at Green Lakes State Park, though fisherpeople are subject to special limits and restrictions.
How to Get to
Green Lakes State Park
Green Lakes State Park is conveniently located immediately to the east of Syracuse, NY, and can be found by navigating to the following address with your GPS system:
7900 Green Lakes Road
Fayetteville, NY 13066
Entering Green Lakes State Park
Like most New York State Parks, Green Lakes State Park does require a vehicle fee at the entrance, as well as a variety of other fees levied for extras like boat rentals, snowshoeing privileges, golf course access, and more.
The current vehicle fee is $8, but for a full rundown of all fees at Green Lake State Park, click here. Keep in mind also that this park participates in the Empire Pass system, which may save you some money in the long run if you go to New York State Parks regularly.
Green Lakes State Park Per Vehicle : $8.0
Whether you find yourself paddling on Round Lake or just kicking back in your campsite, we can’t wait to see and hear about all of your RV adventures! Send your stories and pictures to us directly at [email protected], or tag us in your social media posts for the chance to be reposted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Lakes State Park
Early fall is a great time to visit this park because of the amount of autumn scenery surrounding the lake. The lake also takes on a deep-blue color during this time. Also, the temperatures are best during the fall.
There is a humid continental climate at this park. Green Lakes State Park experiences hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The average temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Green Lakes State Park has over 100 RV camping sites. A little over half of them offer electrical hookups up to 50 amps and only 28 offer full hookups.
Rates start at $35 per night. Reservations can be done online or by phone. Rates vary depending on your reservation date. Reservation season at Green Lakes State Park is usually from May to October each year.
Pets are allowed at Green Lakes State Park but with restrictions. Only two are allowed, and they are not allowed in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools, and restricted beaches. These rules do not apply to service animals.