Skaneateles
Skaneateles, NY
A lakeside village at the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake, with a walkable main street and a pier for watching sunset. Rent a kayak or simply sit by the water; the lake is one of the cleaner Finger Lakes.
The village of Skaneateles lies at the north end of Skaneateles Lake, one of the highest of the Finger Lakes. The lake is 16 miles (about 26 km) long, sits at an elevation of 863 feet (about 263 m) and is up to roughly 300 feet (about 90 m) deep. Its water is so clean that Syracuse has used it without filtration since the 1890s; it is one of only a few unfiltered drinking-water sources in the United States. Steamboats were already running on the lake in the 19th century, and several houses in the village served as stops on the Underground Railroad.
The village is small and easy to explore on foot: allow two to three hours for Main Street and the lakeshore, more with a kayak or boat tour. The view across the lake is worth seeing in the evening. It is busier in high summer than in fall.
- Nearest town
- Skaneateles, NY
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 42.9468, -76.4291
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Riverforest Park Campground & MarinaCampsite11 mi from SkaneatelesTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Wonderland ForestCampsite14 mi from SkaneatelesTents
- Cayuga Lake State Park CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Skaneateles
- Fillmore Glen State ParkCampsite18 mi from Skaneateles
- Rolling Hills Camping AreaCampsite24 mi from Skaneateles
- Pine Woods Camping AreaCampsite24 mi from SkaneatelesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Skaneateles?
Skaneateles is in Skaneateles, NY, at GPS 42.9468, -76.4291. It is about 16 mi from Syracuse.
Can you camp near Skaneateles?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Riverforest Park Campground & Marina, about 11 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Skaneateles?
Places worth a stop nearby: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (16 mi), Women’s Rights National Historical Park (19 mi), Taughannock Falls State Park (30 mi) and Fort Ontario (36 mi).
When is the best time to visit Skaneateles?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)