Skip the Ocean Crowds—Go to One of These Beautiful Lake Beaches in New York Instead

While it is certainly possible to find the odd uncrowded beach along U.S. coastlines, most beach vacationers can attest that—mid-summer—the town beach is going to be packed more often than not. With some spots getting literally thousands of beachgoers every day, going to the ocean can sometimes feel like a hassle. Before you even get to the sand, you have to find parking. Then, you lug all your stuff to the shore and attempt to find a good spot to set up your gear. The water is crowded. The bathrooms are crowded.

But consider—Do you absolutely need to go to the ocean to enjoy a great beach day? 

If you’re on the East Coast, particularly in the Northeast, I’d urge you to consider the lake beaches of New York. I’m partial to the lake beaches around my home in the Adirondacks (the region is home to more than 3,000 lakes, plus 30,000 miles of rivers and streams), so you’ll see a good selection of those on this list. However, you can find great beaches all up and down Lake Champlain on the state’s eastern border, on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in the west, and all throughout the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and other regions, so I’ve included a few of those options, too.

The best part? Many of these New York lake beaches aren’t as crowded as an ocean beach, and are also situated in charming small towns and villages. Here are a few favorites to consider visiting before summer’s end:

When you think “Adirondack vacation,” Lake Placid is generally the village that comes to mind. Host of two Winter Olympics, and attracting tons of tourists who flock to the area for hiking in the summer, leaf-peeping in the fall and snow sports in the winter. Lake Placid is the ADK’s most widely publicized vacation spot, and literally right off the main street, you’ll find a beautiful little public beach with awesome views.

Lake Placid Public Beach sits on the picturesque 128-acre Mirror Lake, which is popular with swimmers and paddlers of all stripes (Fun fact: In the winter, when the lake freezes over, it’s also a dog-sledding spot). From the beach, you can enjoy mountain views in the distance and, all the while, you’re just steps away from hotels, dining and shopping.

Tip: If you want to stay directly on the lake, several hotels offer their own private beaches, including the Mirror Lake Inn, Resort & Spa and The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, both historic and renowned properties in their own rights.

Across the state, in the 1000 Islands region, Southwick Beach State Park is situated on Lake Ontario. If you’ve never visited the Great Lakes before, you’re in for a treat. A lot of travelers, until they see them, don’t really grasp just how big these lakes are. They look big on a map, sure—but when you see them in person, it almost feels as if you’re standing out on a beach facing the ocean, they’re that massive.

Southwick Beach gets a special nod for its wealth of amenities and recently renovated facilities made possible due to a multi-million-dollar project that resulted in new public gathering spaces and patios with an outdoor fireplace, new bathhouses and restrooms, and an arcade. The project also created greener, more sustainable parking areas, as well as a new boardwalk from which visitors can see the beautiful coastal sand dunes.

Tip: The state park includes a large campground and you can find regular events happening at the beach or within the park, such as morning yoga sessions on the sands.

This state park encompasses my home beach. The Cumberland Bay State Park beach, combined with the adjacent Plattsburgh City Beach, make up one of the longest freshwater beaches in the United States. However, the Cumberland Bay State Park beach is much less-crowded than the Plattsburgh City Beach, in large part because you do pay an entry fee at the former, whereas the city beach is free for city residents.

The state park offers a huge amount of parking and you’ll walk up a large grassy expanse before popping out over the beach. The beach is rather narrow, but the length gives visitors enough space to spread out. The water is typically pretty gentle and you can walk a long way out before it gets deeper and, on a fair weather day, it’s clear enough to see your toes.

The one downside is that restroom facilities aren’t directly on the beach, which isn’t the case at the adjacent city beach. The city beach also has a (typically very crowded) cabana bar.

Tip: For travelers interested in history, this park is also an interesting visit, as the bay was the site of a significant naval battle during the War of 1812, as British forces attempted to invade northern New York.

For even fewer crowds, you can visit the beach at Ausable Point, which is still in the same general vicinity. While the beach is technically located within a campground, you don’t have to be camping there to stop by. The scenic waters also attract paddlers and wind surfers, and there is a bathhouse for beachgoers.

Further south, in Cooperstown, New York, you’ll find a favorite with the locals: Glimmerglass State Park beach. If the name “Glimmerglass” sounds slightly familiar from your high school literature days, it’s because it appears in James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales, referring to Otsego Lake.

In addition to the beautiful and scenic beach on Otsego Lake, the park is also home to a nature trail, campground, concessions and Hyde Hall, a historic 19^th-century mansion. The beach, as well as much of the facilities, are accessible.

Happy visitors who’ve left reviews across Google note that the park’s staff, from the lifeguards to those directing parking, really help make the beachgoing experience even better.

Tip: Note that if you’re visiting the snack bar, you’re going to need to bring cash.

Also known as Lake George Beach, Million Dollar Beach gets its nickname from its price tag: The manmade beach was built for a cost of $1 million in 1951. The beach is totally free to visit (though you’ll pay for parking if you park on-site), and amenities include a modern bathhouse and concessions.

While the swimming area isn’t the largest size, the clear, clean waters of Lake George, as well as the views, more than make up for the fact. Plus, this is another Adirondack beach that’s situated right in town, so you can walk to hotels, dining, shopping and some of Lake George’s most popular attractions, such as Fort William Henry. 

Tip: Want to see the water from a different angle? You can walk down to the Lake George Steamboat Company and take a short cruise down the lake.

On Lake Ontario, Fair Haven Beach is frequently regarded as one of your best options in the region. This is in part thanks to the unique bluff views that you’ll get from the spacious beach.

In addition to plenty of parking, the beach area provides restrooms, grills, showers, concessions and multiple lifeguards on duty. There’s additionally a pier.

Tip: The waters are typically pretty calm, so suitable for families with children, and you can walk out into the lake for a while without it getting too terribly deep.

Scan the reviews for Little Wolf Beach in Tupper Lake and you’ll see the same words used over and over, again and again: “hidden gem.” Plus, the facilities? Sparkling clean. The staff? Go out of their way to make sure your visit is pleasant.

Amenities include a floating dock, volleyball court on the beach, concessions, basketball courts, a playground, boat launch and bathhouse. This beach is also one of the longest lake beaches in the Adirondacks (although technically it’s on Little Wolf Pond, not a lake).

Tip: Unlike as is the case with some Adirondack lake beaches, this one isn’t quite within walking distance of Tupper Lake’s main thoroughfare, but you’re still just a short drive away.

Another so-called “hidden gem” and favorite New York State beach among Redditors, Green Lakes State Park features two glacial lakes filled with bright, turquoise waters that have been likened to the Caribbean. Additionally, the lakes are extra-special because they’re meromictic, which means the lakes’ layers don’t mix with the changing seasons; this makes for unique ecosystems and the possible preservation of ancient plant and animal remnants. 

Tip: One of the two lakes features a public beach, but if you explore the broader park, you’ll also find natural trails, a reef and an 18-hole golf course.