Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover overlooked small towns and underrated lakefront getaways in Upstate New York. For scenic lake views and a laid-back outdoor paradise, head to Glimmerglass State Park for your next vacation. From New York City, it’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive to the glistening state park. Nearby, another one of New York’s best small lakeside towns, Cooperstown, is just 7.5 miles away. It’s also between Albany and the affordable destination of Syracuse if you’re visiting any cities upstate.
Glimmerglass State Park is full of outdoor activities, many of which can be found on the shores or in the waters of Otsego Lake. The lake’s tranquil scenery makes it a perfect spot for relaxing. It’s also where the state park’s “glimmering” name comes from, owing to the lake’s beauty and based on the writings of James Fenimore Cooper. The park is open year-round but pulls in major crowds in summer. It also has some historic sites worth visiting, like Hyde Hall mansion, a National Historic Landmark, and the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge. Other things you can do in the park include renting a kayak or canoe, fishing, hiking, and biking.
Go swimming and camping at Glimmerglass State Park
The lake is a big draw for visitors, whether you’re there for fun during the day or stay to camp at night. There is a small car entrance fee in the summer season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Admission includes beach access, swimming, and use of any of the park’s amenities. In the winter, you can also go cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and more.
Swimming on the beach is a great way to cool off in the summer. It’s a shallow beach, good for swimming and splashing around. There are also picnic shelters and two playgrounds for the little ones near the beach area. Make a whole trip of it and go camping on the grounds for a minimum of a two-night stay. There are 50 campsites in the area, and a stay costs from $17-$25 per night at the time of writing. The campsites are well-equipped with picnic tables, grills, and a fire pit, and visitors on Tripadvisor say the bathrooms are clean. There is also a more budget-friendly primitive campsite in the Beaver Pond area.
Explore the area’s hiking trails and historic landmarks
