Just outside of Syracuse, Green Lakes State Park has Caribbean-like waters in the middle of New York.

But when I actually set eyes on them, I gasped.

[Minerals and salts] leech into the lake from the groundwater, the nonprofit explains.

Aerial of beach at the lake

Credit:Visit Syracuse

The land trust adds that its yet another spectacle only observable at this park.

Here are all the practical details you should probably plan a visit to the dazzling Green Lakes State Park.

Open year-round from dawn to dusk, the park has a vehicle entry fee of $10.

Two vertical pictures show different angles of the clear, blue-green waters of Green Lake and the trees surrounding them, as seen from the shore.

Visit Syracuse

Those camping on site will need to show proof of rabies vaccination to the staff.

Peak fall foliage periods can be tracked through theI Love New York Fall Foliage Report.

Winter offers adventure, too, with about 10 miles of groomed cross-country and snowshoeing trails.

An aerial view of one of the Green Lakes shows deep blue water flowing around a rocky outcropping covered in pine trees.

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Simply put, there’s no wrong time to visit Green Lakes State Park.

The boat house is open Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers rentals.

Crystal tandem kayaks are also available for $15 for a half hour and $20 for an hour.

Aerial of golf course

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Private boats, kayaks, and canoes are not allowed on either lake.

Tee times can be booked up to seven days in advance.

Theres also a special twilight 18-hole rate of $14 offered after 6 p.m. from June through August.

Aerial of the golf course

Visit Syracuse

If golfing isn’t your thing, birding is another great activity to try in the park.

Geocachers can also hunt for caches on site, even participating in 2024’sCentral Region Geocache Challengethrough Nov. 11.

Those who find 45 of the 80 caches in the area will earn a collectible and trackable unique geocoin.

Guest room at Hotel Skyler, featuring a large bed, a gray couch, blue and green accents, and a dramatic half-circular window.

Courtesy of Hilton

A map to all 21 trails can beaccessed here.

Just outside of the NY-290 entrance, a bridge connects the park to theErie Canalway Trail.

A closer option isThe Craftsman Inn & Suitesin Fayetteville, just a seven-minute drive to the park.

A person pours pink dressing onto a green salad, with a view of rolling hills in the background.

Courtesy of Yards Grill

Some sites have an electric hookup, while others have full hookup.

There are also sites with water and sewer hookups.

Domesticated pets are allowed.

Specifics for each particular site will be shown during booking.

Pick up food for a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park.