7+ quiet things to do in the Finger Lakes on the western side as part of your road trip 🍇 New York travel blog

Hi there!

So the Finger Lakes region is one of the well-known vacation spots in the state of New York.

They are called the “finger” lakes because… if you look at a map, they kind of look like fingers!

They tend to look more long and narrow compared to the type lake you may typically visualize.

In total, there are 11 lakes that are considered to be the Finger Lakes.

And, you can make it a Western New York road trip to a few of these Finger Lakes!

You can also make it a day trip to one or more of the lakes!

The western side tends to be the quieter of the Finger Lakes, and it doesn’t include the most popular Finger Lakes.

So if you’re looking for a quieter New York experience, you may just love this area! Make it a day trip or stay a few days to explore without the crowds!

You could say the most popular Finger Lakes are Seneca Lake (Watkins Glen) and Cayuga Lake (Ithaca).

The Finger Lakes region isn’t THAT big, so if you are staying on the western side of the Finger Lakes, it’s reasonable to make a day trip to Seneca Lake or a day trip to Cayuga Lake.

Similarly, if you’re staying elsewhere in the Finger Lakes that’s not in the western area, it’s reasonable to make it a day trip to the western side too.

If you are looking to stay in a developed tourist town in the western area of the Finger Lakes, Canandaigua Lake (Canandaigua NY) is where you want to stay!

 

I did a Western New York road trip and made this side of the Finger Lakes a part of it!

Here is what you need to know about the westernmost area of the Finger Lakes! This includes a few ideas of things to do for an easy going time in the Finger Lakes!

 

 

This route will start from Canandaigua Lake, which is the easternmost lake on this list.

From there, it will continue moving to the west, stopping by each of the Finger Lakes.

Again, Canandaigua NY is the most developed tourist town in the Western Finger Lakes region.

 

 

Canandaigua Lake

Explore the map.

 

 

1. Canandaigua City Pier, Canandaigua Lake

 

This is a pier that you drive out onto.

Then you can park and get out of the car and walk along the edge of the pier for some scenic lake views!

You’ll also be able to see the iconic boathouses of Canandaigua Lake.

 

 

Also seen from the city pier, is New York’s smallest state park. It’s a small island in Canandaigua Lake! You can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and go kayaking to Squaw Island.

 

 

Once you have taken in the views from Canandaigua City Pier, you may also like nearby Kershaw Park for another leisurely stroll along the lake.

 

 

 

2. South Bristol Scenic Overlook, Canandaigua Lake

 

The South Bristol Scenic Overlook is where you go to get the grand scenic views of Canandaigua Lake from above!

On google maps this is listed as Naples Road – Lake View Point.

 

See more about this Finger Lake: Quick trip to Canandaigua Lake

 

 

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Honeoye Lake

Explore the map.

 

 

3. Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, Honeoye Lake

 

And for more grand scenic views of the Finger Lakes, you can also see Honeoye Lake from above at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area.

 

 

4. Sandy Bottom Park, Honeoye Lake

 

Now if you want to see Honeoye Lake from ground level, you can head to Sandy Bottom Park. This is a swimming beach, although there is a sign that says the park is for residents only so I hope the small town of Richmond NY doesn’t mind that I suggest this spot as a scenic lookout. Just don’t be a burden on their facilities!

In any case, there’s a road that you can walk along so you can see some nice scenic views of Honeoye Lake.

 

 

 

Canadice Lake

Explore the map.

 

 

5. Stone Beach, Canadice Lake

 

This is not a traditional beach, but Stone Beach is a small little area that can give you access right at Canadice Lake. It’s a short trail (less than a minute’s walk) to get to the lake.

 

 

This also seems to be a kayak launch spot if you’ll be driving with your kayak.

 

 

On google maps this is listed as Kiosk, Marble Bench, Stone Beach. The kiosk part seems to be referring to the trailhead informational “kiosk,” as you can start a trail into the forest here. And there is a bench at the “beach.” And there are stones at the beach. It seems there are a lot of stones that can be used for skipping stones across the water here so you can have fun with that.

 

 

Hemlock Lake

Explore the map.

 

 

6. Rob’s Trail, Hemlock Lake or Canadice Lake

If you are looking to go hiking in the western Finger Lakes, Rob’s Trail might be it! This is also a hike through Hemlock Canadice State Forest.

 

 

The “destination” of your hike is one of the Finger Lakes!

Rob’s Trail starts inland, almost directly halfway between Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake. You can take Rob’s Trail to Hemlock Lake, and you can also take Rob’s Trail to Canadice Lake. So you start in the middle (from different trailheads) and each trail goes off to the different lakes.

For both hiking trails, you are starting the hike from higher up, and then you are hiking down to the lake. This also means that on the way back, you are hiking UP! (Bring water and snacks!)

Rob’s Trail to Hemlock Lake is the more beaten path and it’s easy to follow. (Now, saying it’s the beaten path is simply compared to Canadice Lake. You will probably still see just a handful of people if that on the trail.) Once you make it to the “end” (Hemlock Lake!) you will find lake access to get the scenic views of Hemlock Lake.

 

 

Rob’s Trail to Canadice Lake was a bit confusing to me. It was not as easy to follow. I still don’t know which is the proper trail down, but I did make it there (and back) without getting too lost.

First, the trailhead for Canadice Lake is down the road from the trail to Hemlock Lake.

And then once on the trail, the important thing to know is to look for what may or may not be a trail-looking path that goes DOWN on both sides of the bench when you see it. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was just a run-off path for water when it rains, or it was the designated hiking trail.

But if you take the path, that’s when you’ll start to see trail signs on the trees, and from there it’s relatively easy to follow. Once down at lake level, I didn’t go very far, but there was no easy lake access. I had walk through brush to see the lake clearly. Maybe there was lake access further down on the shoreline trail, I’m not sure.

 

 

If you are looking to hike to just one lake, I say make it a hike to Hemlock Lake.

Rob’s Trail can be muddy, so it will be best not to go in the rain or after the rain. It was muddy for me even though I went a few days after it rained. I was happy to be wearing my waterproof hiking shoes.

On google maps, look for Rob’s Trail – Hemlock Lake for the trail to Hemlock Lake, and Rob’s Trail Preserve on Old Bald Hill Road for the trail to Canadice Lake. There are small parking lots at both.

 

 

7. Hemlock Lake Park

 

And if you’re looking for an easy way to see Hemlock Lake from lake level, you can head to Hemlock Lake Park!

 

 

 

Conesus Lake

Explore the map.

 

 

8. Vitale Park, Conesus Lake

 

And if you want to make a trip to Conesus Lake, you can head to Vitale Park!

This is a nice park that has trails along the lake so you can go for a leisurely lakeside stroll.

 

 

To continue your peaceful lakeside walk, you’ll want to walk across the pedestrian Freedom Bridge. (You’ll see it when you’re at Vitale Park.)

 

 

 

MAP: Driving route of a trip to the western Finger Lakes

There is a list below of things to do in the Finger Lakes. But first… here’s the visual!

 

Explore the map.

 

If you just want to make some quick stops, then you can do most of the things that are on this map.

Basically all of these places it’s about how you want to take in the stops!

You can make it a 5-10 minute stop, or you can stay longer to walk around, eat a picnic, or just sit and relax!

There is one Finger Lakes hiking trail on this list, and for that, you will need to add in some extra time!

 

 

Recap!

What are the 5 western Finger Lakes?

There are 11 Finger Lakes in total, and the 5 westernmost Finger Lakes are Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake, Honeoye Lake, and Canandaigua Lake.

 

1. Conesus Lake

 

 

2. Hemlock Lake

 

 

3. Canadice Lake

 

 

4. Honeoye Lake

 

 

5. Canandaigua Lake

 

And then just east of Canandaigua Lake is Keuka Lake which is also often grouped in as a lake that’s part of the western Finger Lakes.

But, I did not go there, so… this Western Finger Lakes road trip was without Keuka Lake! 😅

 

And that’s a bit about some mostly quick things to do in the Finger Lakes!

 

More for your Western NY road trip:

• Places to visit in Western New York (for views!)
• Best state parks in Western New York
• Lake Ontario lighthouses
• Lake Ontario campgrounds
• Things to do in Niagara Falls NY
• Things to do in Letchworth State Park
• Things to do in Buffalo (for views!)

 

HAPPY DRIVING AROUND THE FINGER LAKES OF NEW YORK!