Gilbert Lake State Park

Tucked into the rolling hills of Chenango County, Gilbert Lake State Park has been drawing visitors to its 1,586 wooded acres since 1926. The park centers on its namesake 30-acre lake, a calm, spring-fed body of water ringed by hardwood forest that feels genuinely remote despite sitting just 12 miles northwest of Oneonta.

Swimming is the main draw in summer — the guarded beach along Gilbert Lake’s north shore has a gradual sandy entry that works well for families with young kids. A second, smaller lake (Mud Lake) sits deeper in the park and is quieter, better suited for canoeing or kayaking. Rowboat rentals are available at the main lake. Fishing for bass, perch, and bullhead is decent but not destination-worthy on its own.

The trail system covers roughly 12 miles through mixed hardwood and hemlock forest, with most routes staying moderate in difficulty. The Bridle Path loop is the longest and connects to several shorter spur trails. In winter, these same trails open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Gilbert Lake offers both tent and RV campsites, along with a handful of cabins that book early for peak summer weekends. Facilities are well-maintained but basic — expect vault toilets at the campground and a small concession stand near the beach.

The best window is late June through early September for swimming, though fall foliage in October transforms the surrounding hills into one of the quieter leaf-peeping spots in central New York.

Explore Nearby

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• Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Massachusetts
• Mohawk Towpath Byway — Scenic Byway in New York
• Coxsackie Light — Lighthouse in New York
• Finger Lakes National Forest — National Forest in New York