Top 6 Lakes in Greene County

North-South Lake is a prime destination for hiking, offering access to the Escarpment Trail and historical sites like the Kaaterskill Mountain House ruins. It provides extraordinary scenic beauty and views of up to five states on clear days. Colgate Lake Wild Forest also features the yellow-marked Colgate Lake Trail, which is over four miles long and includes bogs, streams, and a hidden waterfall.

Yes, North-South Lake is very family-friendly with two beaches for swimming (lifeguards present Memorial Day to Labor Day), picnic areas, and boat rentals. Sequiota Park Pond and Waterfall is also a great option, featuring a pond with ducks, geese, and swans, picnic areas, and open space. Nathanael Greene Park, which shares property with the Springfield Botanical Gardens, offers walking paths around gardens, ponds, and gazebos, suitable for families.

Greene County offers diverse fishing. North-South Lake is excellent for panfish and bullhead, and is stocked with tiger muskellunge. Colgate Lake is popular for year-round trout fishing, especially brown trout. Greens Lake is known for Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Chain pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Yellow Perch. Sleepy Hollow Lake offers fishing for large-mouth bass and crappie. Other lakes like Beaver Dam Lake, Broncks Lake, and Potuck Reservoir also provide good angling for various species.

North-South Lake offers canoe, kayak, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals, and has an accessible hand boat launch. Colgate Lake is also popular for kayaking, with a hand launch available. Sleepy Hollow Lake allows kayaking and other non-motorized boating, with a 50-HP outboard motor limit for motorized boats, ensuring a quieter environment.

Yes, North-South Lake campground includes an accessible hand boat launch with a dock and kayak slide, and accessible picnic pavilions. Colgate Lake features a wheelchair-accessible fishing/viewing platform.

Near North-South Lake, you can access the Escarpment Trail which leads to historical sites such as the ruins of the Kaaterskill Mountain House. This area is historically significant as a subject for Hudson River School painters.

The summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, are ideal for activities like swimming at North-South Lake when lifeguards are present. Fishing is popular year-round at Colgate Lake and Greens Lake. The scenic beauty and hiking opportunities are enjoyable throughout the warmer seasons.

Colgate Lake, located within the 1,500-acre Colgate Lake Wild Forest, offers a more rustic and tranquil experience, ideal for those seeking a serene setting. Potuck Reservoir is known for its peace and quiet, though access can be challenging, making it a more secluded angling experience.

Beyond lake-specific activities, Greene County offers a variety of outdoor pursuits. You can find numerous running trails, such as the James River Bridge loop from Sequiota. Hiking is also popular, with options like the Springfield Conservation Nature Center Trail Loop. For cyclists, there are routes like the Galloway Creek Greenway.

Yes, North-South Lake is the largest state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering 219 tent and trailer sites. Primitive camping is also a favored activity in the Colgate Lake Wild Forest area.

Swimming is permitted at designated beaches at North-South Lake, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For other lakes, it's best to check local regulations and conditions, as not all lakes have designated swimming areas or facilities.

The wild forest setting around Colgate Lake offers a chance to observe diverse wildlife. Sequiota Park Pond and Waterfall is home to a protected cave with an endangered migrating colony of gray bats, and its pond hosts ducks, geese, and swans.