Archery

Onondaga Lake Park has archery Excelsior bales that are available for public use in the Willow Bay section.  Bring your own equipment and target.  Enter off of Long Branch Road.  The bales are on your left before the bridge.  Please: No broadheads.

Boat Launch

The Onondaga Lake Park Marina features the only paved, public boat launch on Onondaga Lake. Click here for more information.

Bocce

A popular ball sport in southern Europe for many centuries, Bocce has become popular around the world as an easy to play sport that anyone can participate in.  The two stone dust courts at Onondaga Lake Park are located directly outside the back door of the Griffin Visitor Center.  The courts are open to public use, and Bocce balls are available for rental at McKie’s Rental Shop for $1/half-hour. 

Bike Trails

Bike usage is permitted on the East Shore Recreation Trail between the Griffin Visitor Center and the Cold Springs section, as well as the West Shore Trail.  Bicycles are not allowed on the Shoreline Walking Trail.  For an “off-road” trail, utilize the Lakeland Trail located on the west shore of Onondaga Lake.  Please exercise extreme caution and prudent speed when riding your bike on these popular trails. Click here for more information.

Skatepark

For adventurous BMX riders, the Onondaga Lake Skatepark offers 16,900sq.ft. of concrete ramps, bowls, stairs and quarter pipes to “get air” on.  Click here for more information. 

Canoeing / Kayaking

Park patrons are permitted to launch their personal recreation watercraft anywhere along the shore of Onondaga Lake within Onondaga Lake Park, EXCEPT at the Marina (unless paying the $10 daily launch fee), the Syracuse University floating docks and the Syracuse Chargers floating docks.

A free kayak launch site is available just north of the Syracuse Chargers boathouse, on the Onondaga Lake outlet. The launch, which is ADA compliant for kayaks, is available seasonally Memorial Day - October 1, and offers a gravel site that gently slopes into the water suitable for canoes and kayaks.  Public parking is located just steps away from these new launch options.  You may access this area of the park by entering Cold Springs Trail at the Wegmans Good Dog Park, 59 Cold Springs Trail.  The launch site is ½-mile south of the Dog Park.  Click here for a map.

Another popular launching spot is under the Long Branch Bridge on the west side of the Onondaga Lake outlet.  This area is at the beginning of the West Shore Trail has nearby parking, and offers an improved gravel site, gently sloping into the water.  The parking lot is located at 395 Long Branch Road, Syracuse. Click here for directions.  

Cross-Country Skiing

Enjoy Cross Country Skiing on the Shoreline Walking Trail, the Long Branch Park loop or on the West Shore Trail.  Rentals are not available.

Dogs Allowed

Dogs are allowed on the Shoreline Walking Trail but they are not permitted on the East Shore Trail (wheels only) during the peak season of April to October and they are not allowed on the tram. In accordance with New York State law all dogs, where allowed, must be restrained by a leash or chain not more than six feet in length, every dog owner must have a dog license tag attached to their dog’s collar and it shall be the duty of each dog owner or person having possession, custody or control of a dog to remove any feces left by his or her dog on any public park property.

The very popular Wegmans Good Dog Park can be found at the northern end of the park. Click here for more information.

Fishing

Onondaga Lake has a surprising number of fish species present, and you never know what species you may end up catching next. Click here to learn more about fishing in Onondaga Lake.

Food

During the warmer months visitors usually find ice cream and other private food vendors/food trucks outside the Griffin Visitor Center, located at the south end of the park. Subject to change. There are several local eateries and a supermarket located right in the Village of Liverpool, a short walk from the park, that offer a variety of food options to suit all tastes. 

Historic Sites

• Skä•noñh Center – Great Law of Peace Center
  A Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Heritage Center focused on telling the story of the native peoples of central New York. School and group tours available by appointment.
• Griffin Visitor Center
  Griffin Visitor Center located in the Wegmans Landing section of Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, explains the 1928 foresight of community leader Joseph A. Griffin, whose ideas and leadership led to the creation of one of America’s top ten heritage parks.
  
• Butterfly Garden of Hope
  Butterfly Garden for Hope along the Onondaga Lake Parkway is a beautiful memorial created and maintained by Hope for Bereaved volunteers. 
  
• Long Branch Park
  Long Branch Park was a destination amusement park during the resort era of the late 1800’s and early 20th Century and the original home of the beautifully restored carousel of Syracuse’s Destiny USA (formerly known as Carousel Center.)
  
• Mud Lock
  Mud Lock, located in the Cold Springs section near Wegmans Good Dog Park, Route 370, allowed passage to the Oswego Canal and was the site of the Mud Lock Tavern.
• Salt Museum
  Discover the industry that created the City of Syracuse and supplied the entire nation with salt! School and group tours are available by appointment.

Inline Skating

Inline skates are permitted on the East Shore Recreation Trail between the Griffin Visitor Center and the Cold Springs section, as well as the West Shore Trail.  Inline skating is not allowed on the Shoreline Walking Trail.  Inline skates are available for rent at McKie’s Rental Shop.  Please exercise extreme caution and prudent speed when inline skating on these popular trails.  Click here for more information.

Marina

Spend a night or the summer at beautiful Onondaga Lake Park Marina. Click here for more information.

Picnic Areas

There are two main public picnic areas within Onondaga Lake Park.  The Willow Bay area of the park offers dozens of picnic tables and charcoal grills amongst acres of beautiful trees along the northern shoreline of Onondaga Lake.  The Cold Springs area of the park also has picnic tables and charcoal grills available for public use, in a quieter setting along the shore of the Seneca River.  Click here for more information about shelter reservations.

Playgrounds

Wegmans Playground
The 35,000 sq. ft. area boundless playground is open daily and includes three large sections: Playhouse (2-12 yrs), Pre-School Age (2-5 yrs.) and School Age (5-12 yrs.). Click here for more information.

Willow Bay and Long Branch Park Playgrounds
There are also three smaller playgrounds located in the Willow Bay and Long Branch Park areas of Onondaga Lake Park.

Rentals: Bikes & Skates

McKie Sports "Cuse Cycle" Rental Shop - Located next to the Griffin Visitor Center at the south end of the park.

Hours
April 14 - The Friday before Memorial Day • Monday-Friday 3-7pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am-7pm
   (last rental is at 6pm, all rentals must be returned by 7pm)
Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day • Daily 10am-8pm
   (last rental is at 7pm, all rentals must be returned by 8pm)
Day after Labor Day - October 31 • Monday-Friday 3-6pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm
   (last rental is at 5pm, all rentals must be returned by 6pm)

All hours are weather permitting

Weather Policy
The rental shop will be closed if: The temperature is below 60 degrees, the forecasted chance of rain is greater than 60% or the forecasted winds are greater than 20 mph.  Please call ahead to confirm the shop will be open, (315) 453-6718 or (315) 453-6712.

Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express accepted. Cash will NOT be accepted. All prices include tax and are subject to change. 
Proper ID required for all rentals. One person in group must be 18 years of age or over to rent equipment. 
For more information, call (315) 453-6718 or (315) 453-6712. 

Rentals: Equipment

McKie Sports Rental Shop is located next to the Griffin Visitor Center at the south end of the park.

Weather Policy
The rental shop will be closed if: The temperature is below 60 degrees, the forecasted chance of rain is greater than 60% or the forecasted winds are greater than 20 mph.  Please call ahead to confirm the shop will be open, (315) 453-6718 or (315) 453-6712.

Cash ONLY. Prices include tax and are subject to change. For more information, call (315) 453-6718 or (315) 453-6712.

School/Group Tours

Skä•noñh - Great Law of Peace Center, a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Heritage Center focused on telling the story of the native peoples of central New York offers school and group tours by appointment. Click here for more information.

The Salt Museum which tells the "salty" history of Syracuse and Onondaga County offers school and group tours by appointment. Click here for more information.

Shuffleboard

A popular game involving cues and weighted discs pushed along a narrow court.  There are two shuffleboard courts located in the Wegmans Landing area of Onondaga Lake Park, directly outside the back doors of the Griffin Visitor Center.  Equipment rentals are available at McKie’s Rental shop for $1/half-hour.

Skateboard riders will be right at home at the Onondaga Lake Skatepark.  With 16,900 sq.ft. of concrete obstacles to ride, the skatepark is the place to go for skateboarders in Onondaga Lake Park.  Click here for more information.

Snowshoeing

Enjoy snowshoeing on the Shoreline Walking Trail, the Long Branch Park loop or on the West Shore Trail.  Bring your own equipment.

Trails (Walking/Hiking)

Four Great Trails at Onondaga Lake Park! Whether it's in-line skating, bicycling, walking or running, Onondaga Lake Park has the perfect trail for visitors of all ages. Click here for more information.

Tram

2023 Days of Operation: Monday - Friday (excluding holidays), May 15 - October 6 (subject to change)

The Onondaga Lake Park Tram is electric and solar powered making for a comfortable, environmentally-friendly ride for all. The tram travels on the East Shore Recreational Trail which runs along the shoreline of Onondaga Lake. The tram operates Monday-Friday (except holidays) and departs from the Griffin Visitor Center at 9am, 10am, 11am & 12pm. The tram is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (315) 453-6712 or email olp@ongov.net.  

Volleyball

A regulation sized beach volleyball court is located in the Wegmans Landing area and is open to the public for use, first-come, first-served.  The court can also be reserved ahead of time for $4/hour. 

Wellness Programs

Fit for the Next Fifty
2023 days/hours: Monday & Wednesday, June 19 - August 23; 9am-10:15am

Total Body Workout: Aerobic exercise, functional fitness movements, strength training, flexibility, balance and more. All fitness levels welcome. 

FREE to attend. Participants should being water and light weights (1-5 lbs.) and are required to complete a waiver prior to participating. Classes will take place behind the Visitor Center.