Jamesville Beach Park

Click here to download a Jamesville Beach Park Map and Park History.

The clear, cool waters of Jamesville Reservoir and sparkling Butternut Creek offer the ideal place to cool off on a hot summer day.

The beach features 100 yards of lifeguarded waterfront up to 4' shallow water area, a 7'-10' deep water zone and a 3000 square foot inflatable raft zone. The deep water area includes a floating raft which provides experienced swimmers a cool place to hang out, sunbathe or demonstrate their cannonball technique. The all new playground, built in 2021, offers a great place for kids to be kids!

Planning a Party?

Acres of groomed lawn and shaded grounds offer prime locations for cookouts. Large parties can be hosted under the Sandpiper and Overlook Shelters or at the Point Tent Area. To reserve one of the shelters or tented areas, call (315) 451-6249.

overlookshelter

Is the BEACH OPEN for swimming??
The Onondaga County Health Department tests the water quality at Jamesville Beach approximately every two weeks during the summer season. Click here to see if the beach is currently open for swimming, and view the most recent water quality testing results, strongly recommended BEFORE heading to the beach(es).

During your visit to Onondaga County Parks, you may be photographed, videotaped, or filmed by Onondaga County Parks or authorized parties. Your attendance/admission serves as permission for use of these images by Onondaga County Parks. Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without permission of Onondaga County Parks.

Jamesville Beach Park

Athletic Fields

Wide-open green space available for whatever recreational activity you're playing. Be respectful of others using the same area.
Canoeing / Kayaking

Launch your own non-motorized boat from the nearby parking lot.
Disc Golf

Fun for the whole family, the Jamesville Beach Disc Golf Course now offers 18 challenging holes. The game is a great combination of frisbee and golf. The Disc Golf Course is open April - October during park hours. Players can bring their own discs or borrow from the Visitor Center.

Click here to download a Jamesville Beach Disc Golf Card or get one at the Visitor Center.
For more information about Disc Golf, including rules, visit the Professional Disc Golf Assocation. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Dogs Allowed

Pets must be on a leash not longer than 6', inoculated for rabies and never be left unattended. Mutt mitts and receptacles are provided for cleaning up after your dog. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, playground, in buildings or in the beach picnic areas during beach season. Pets are not allowed at special events. There is a designated off leash area in the park.
Off-Leash Area Rules
- Dogs must be under visual and voice control of owner at ALL TIMES, dogs may run free in the Special Event Field section of the the park EXCEPT during Special Events. Pets are not allowed at Special Events unless specifically designated as an animal friendly event.
- Visual control means you can see your dog; voice control means your dog can hear you, both are for the safety of you & your dog and others using the area.
- When leaving the off-leash area, dogs must be leashed, see information above.
- Owners must clean-up after their pets. Clean-up mitts and waste stations are located throughout the park.
Fishing

Access points along the shoreline, as well as, Butternut Creek provide the chance to catch warm and cold water game. Click here for more information.

Please note: Fishing is not permitted on the swimming beach during beach season. Click here for beach season dates/hours.
Picnic Areas

First-come, first-use picnic tables & grills are available. Picnickers are responsible for removing their own ash from the grill and trash from their picnic site. Three picnic shelters for larger gatherings are available by reservation only. Click here for more information.
Playgrounds

An all-new playground, opened in 2021, is located adjacent to the beach, Visitor Center and the Sandpiper Shelter.
Swimming

300' of lifeguard patrolled waterfront featuring a 0' - 4' shallow water zone, a 4' - 10' deep water zone with floating platform, and a 3000' square foot inflatable raft zone. Swimming is permitted only during scheduled beach hours when lifeguards are on duty. Click here for admission information. Click here for current beach hours.
Trails (Walking/Hiking)

The Fishing Access Trail, 200 yards long and 8-10' wide features good access for shoreline fishing in the Reservoir and Butternut Creek and leads to the 1/4 mile Off-Leash Dog Walking Trail. All trails are a combination of natural and grass surface.
Volleyball

A regulation size sand court is located near the beach. Ball available at Lifeguard office at the Visitor Center.

Jamesville Beach Park

Park Hours:

April: 9am - 6:30pm
May - August: 9am - 8:30pm
Park admission is charged during Peak Season. See below for dates.
September: 9am - 7:30pm
October: 9am - 6:30pm

November - March: Closed. The Dog Park/Off Leash Area will remain open during this time.

2023 Peak Season/Beach Open Dates/Hours:

May 27 - June 11
Saturday & Sunday & Memorial Day • 11am - 6pm

June 17 - August 20
Friday - Sunday & July 4 • 11am - 6pm
Monday - Thursday • 12pm - 6pm

Dates/hours subject to change.

Water Quality Testing
The Onondaga County Health Department samples Jamesville Beach approximately every two weeks during the summer season. Click here to see the most recent results, strongly recommended before heading out to the beach.

Jamesville Beach Park

Daily Admission
Peak Season	$7 per vehicle $35 per bus
Veterans & Active Military	Free Admission for one vehicle/car Present military I.D., Onondaga County FAVOR card, discharge papers or another form of official military identification.
Seniors (62+)	Monday-Thursday only, excluding holidays $2 per vehicle
Non-Peak Season	Free
Peak Season Beach Pass	Enjoy access to Jamesville Beach AND Oneida Shores Park beach for the entire season: $50 per vehicle - Onondaga County Residents $100 per vehicle - Non-Residents $21 per vehicle for Seniors Only (age 62+) - Residents & Non-Residents SAVE TIME! Purchase a season pass online beginning April 1. Click here to begin your purchase. Not sure how to navigate our system? Click here first for a step by step guide. In-person sales are available at the ticket booth during beach season.