Top 12 Lakes around Chappaqua

For breathtaking views, visit the Red Bridge over the Croton Reservoir, which offers expansive vistas of the reservoir. The Kensico Reservoir is also highly scenic, particularly for bike rides, and is known for its role in storing water from the Catskill Mountains.

Yes, the region offers diverse hiking. Teatown Lake, within the Teatown Lake Reservation, features 15 miles of trails through forests, wetlands, and meadows. Gedney Park, home to Gedney Pond, also has four miles of marked hiking trails. For more extensive options, you can explore the MTB Trails around Chappaqua guide, which includes routes like the Blue Trail (Main Loop) and trails in Graham Hills Park.

The North County Trailway (New Croton Reservoir to Briarcliff Manor) offers a beautiful, car-free route alongside Echo Lake. The Tarrytown Reservoir also has the Tarrytown Lake Extension Trail, perfect for cycling by the water. For more cycling routes, check out the Cycling around Chappaqua guide.

Anglers have several excellent choices. The New Croton Reservoir is known for a variety of fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and common carp. A free NYC DEP watershed access permit is required for boating and fishing there. Gedney Pond in Gedney Park is regularly stocked with rainbow, brook, and golden trout every April, making it a popular spot for fishing throughout spring, summer, and fall. Still Lake is also mentioned as a fishing spot.

Absolutely. Gedney Park, surrounding Gedney Pond, is ideal for families, offering a large playground, ballfields, picnic areas, and an annual fishing derby. Teatown Lake Reservation provides year-round environmental education programs, wildlife watching, and exploring Wildflower Island. Many highlights like Kensico Reservoir, Tarrytown Reservoir, and Red Bridge over the Croton Reservoir are also marked as family-friendly.

The lakes and surrounding areas are rich in natural beauty. Teatown Lake Reservation, for instance, boasts diverse habitats including streams, waterfalls, swamps, forests, and meadows, and is home to over 230 native and endangered wildflower species on Wildflower Island. You can also spot various birds of prey and small animals at their nature center. The New Croton Reservoir area is known for its fish species, and Whippoorwill Lake is surrounded by woods and wetlands, offering opportunities for wildlife watching.

Yes, at the eastern end of Tarrytown Reservoir, kayak rentals are available during the summer months, offering a great way to enjoy the water.

For activities like boating and fishing on the New Croton Reservoir, a free NYC DEP watershed access permit is required. It's always advisable to check local regulations for specific activities on other reservoirs or lakes.

The lakes offer beauty and activities year-round. Spring and fall are excellent for hiking and enjoying the foliage, while summer is perfect for kayaking and fishing. Gedney Pond is stocked with trout from April through fall, and Gedney Park offers sledding hills in winter. Teatown Lake Reservation has year-round programming and events like the Hudson River EagleFest in winter.

The New Croton Dam, adjacent to the New Croton Reservoir, is an impressive engineering feat with a spillway that offers spectacular views from Croton Gorge Park. The Red Bridge over the Croton Reservoir is also a notable landmark. Teatown Lake Reservation, while focused on nature, also features a working maple sugar house, offering a glimpse into local traditions.

Visitors frequently praise the scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Many enjoy the diverse outdoor activities available, from cycling along car-free trails like the North County Trailway to fishing in stocked ponds. The family-friendly amenities at places like Gedney Park and the environmental education opportunities at Teatown Lake Reservation are also highly valued.

Yes, the area provides excellent opportunities for gravel biking. You can find routes such as the Old Croton Dam Road Bridge – New Croton Dam loop or the Cross River reservoir dam loop. For detailed routes and difficulty levels, refer to the Gravel biking around Chappaqua guide.