Green Lakes State Park, located in Manlius, New York, is a scenic destination known for its two glacial lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake. The park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the sandy beach on Green Lake, hiking through the old-growth forest, or playing golf on the Robert Trent Jones-designed course. The park's lakes are famous for their blue-green color, a result of their meromictic nature, where layers of water do not mix. This natural phenomenon makes Green Lakes State Park a fascinating spot for both scientists and tourists alike.
The park's diverse landscape includes a variety of flora and fauna, with many large trees such as tuliptrees, sugar maples, and hemlocks. The area around Round Lake is particularly noted for its natural beauty, with a grove known as the Tuliptree Cathedral. Visitors can explore the park's many trails, which offer stunning views of the lakes and surrounding landscape.
Green Lakes State Park is a popular destination for family outings and nature enthusiasts, offering a range of activities from boating to cross-country skiing in the winter.