Buffalo and Lake Erie Parks and Beaches guide
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Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes, holds a special place in the geography of New York State. As the southernmost Great Lake, it forms a natural border between New York and Canada, with a significant portion of its shoreline gracing western New York. This expansive body of water influences the climate and natural environment of the surrounding region. It’s a vital component of New York’s economy, facilitating commercial shipping through the Welland Canal and the Erie Canal, linking the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The New York shores of Lake Erie are characterized by picturesque landscapes, including vineyards and small towns, and offer recreational activities like fishing, boating, and swimming. Despite its beauty and economic importance, Lake Erie has also been a focal point for environmental concerns in New York, particularly regarding water quality and preservation of its rich ecosystem. A major part of the restoration of the park in recent decades has been to rehabilitate existing and create new parks and preserves along the shoreline. Each of these parks offers distinct features, from sandy beaches and camping facilities to birdwatching and scenic bluffs, catering to a variety of interests and activities for visitors.

The 4th largest of the 5 Great Lakes, it is 9,910 sq miles in surface area and is the shallowest of them all, averaging 62 ft deep (210 ft at its deepest point).

Parks, Preserves, and Beaches along Lake Erie

Detailed Guides for Lake Erie Access

From east to west the parks are listed, with some exceptions. As more are visited, more guides will be posted.

La Salle Park, Buffalo – Coming soon!

Buffalo’s largest waterfront park, located on the mouth of the Niagara River, parallels the break-wall and the Niagara Thruway from the Erie Basin Marina to the Navy Operational Support Center. The park features playing fields, a small concert venue, picnic facilities, a dog park, and a walkway along the shoreline.

Erie basin area of Buffalo River and Lake Erie

Erie Basin Marina and Gardens

Along the mouth of the Buffalo River to Lake Erie, this waterfront park wraps around a full-service marina and ends with a tower that has amazing views of the city and waterfront. There are historic markers, restaurants, ice cream, art displays, and beautiful gardens.

Buffalo Erie Naval and Military Park guide

Veterans Park and the Naval & Military Park

Not quite on Lake Erie, this beautiful Buffalo River-side park serves as a memorial to American wars. The Military Park is a museum for decommissioned vessels and includes a cruiser, submarine, and destroyer. It is located right next to Erie Basin Marina and Gardens.

Buffalo Main Light-Lighthouse Point Park

Lighthouse Point Park (Buffalo Main Light)

This was US Coast Guard property, and for some time was not accessible to the public. In 2010, their station was reconfigured to allow for public access through a small path that runs along the station to the point where the restored 1833 lighthouse is open for tours. Several historic markers and nautical artifacts are also present.

Times Beach Nature Preserve Buffalo

Times Beach Nature Preserve

Once an Irish shantytown where grain and port workers lived, it became a waste disposal site to store dredge waste from the canal and port. It was abandoned in the 1970s and was left to sit. Despite heavy contamination, nature has taken over. The preserve has hiking trails and excellent bird-watching opportunities.

Wilkeson Pointe Park guide

Wilkeson Pointe Park

Buffalo’s newest waterfront park used to be where they would store the ice boom cleared for winter shipping season. This 20 acre park on the Outer Harbor is beautifully landscaped and woven with paths and interesting art. It has a beach, but no swimming.

Buffalo Outer Harbor and Greenway Nature Trail information

Outer Harbor & the Greenway Nature Trail

This large patch of the Outer Harbor has been turned into a beautiful green-space with beautiful meadows surrounding patches of trees. The Greenway Nature Trail wraps around the space, and has excellent unobstructed views of the lake. A large concert venue on the north end caters to some of the nation’s biggest bands.

Gallagher Beach and Buffalo Harbor State Park on Lake Erie

Buffalo Harbor State Park and Gallagher Beach

A large public marina with over 1000 boat slips, a restaurant, general store, viewing pier, boat and personal watercraft launches. There’s no swimming, but the beach and the views are beautiful.

Photo coming soon

Woodlawn Beach State Park – Coming soon!

This State Park, on the easternmost point of Lake Erie, is operated by the Town of Hamburg. It features a large sandy swimming beach with snack and cocktail bar, restaurant, nature center, trails, and children’s play area.

Hamburg, NY Clock Tower on Lake Erie

Hamburg Clock Tower

A small viewing area where Lakeshore Rd meets Big Tree Road near Athol Springs in Hamburg. There are a few benches. The area has several lake-side diners.

Hamburg Town Beach / Park

Hamburg Town Beach Park

The Town of Hamburg operates this community park. Resident permits for parking and visitation are required. It features a sandy swimming beach, changing rooms, and a snack bar. A boat launch and fitness center are also available to town residents.

Lake Erie Seaway Trail Visitor Center Beach

Lake Erie Seaway Trail Visitor Center

Located in the former Wanakah Water Company building in Hamburg, 12 miles south of Buffalo, it serves tourists with directions, and information about historical, cultural, environmental, scenic, and recreational resources along the western end of the Seaway Trail. This is an excellent spot for catching Lake Erie sunsets.

Sturgeon Point Marina information

Sturgeon Point Marina

This public marina in the Town of Evans has numerous slips, a boat launch, dry dock, a snack bar, and picnic areas with beautiful views of Lake Erie. No swimming.

Wendt Beach Park information

Wendt Beach Park

This Erie County park in Angola has a large beautiful sandy swimming beach, snack shop, playing fields, picnic facilities, nature trails, a playground, and enclosed shelter.

Bennett Beach at Lake Erie information

Bennett Beach Park

A beautiful Erie County park where Big Sister Creek reaches Lake Erie and has a large sandy swimming beach with large sand dunes. Features fishing, swimming, boating, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Photo coming soon

Evans Town Park

This community park has playing fields, ball courts, playgrounds, 10 shelters, and a 10 acre waterfront. The park is open to town residents and their guests only.

Lake Erie Beach Park information

Lake Erie Beach Park

This is a new lakefront park with a large sandy swimming beach in the Town of Evans. It is open to the public and has one pavilion, restrooms, a playground, picnic area, and basketball courts.

Evangola State Park information guide

Evangola State Park

This massive 733 acre lakefront park and beach in Brant, NY has a large sandy swimming beach, scenic picnic area that stretches along the beach, nature trails, playing fields, playgrounds, campgrounds, pavilions, and a wide variety of wildlife and habitats.

Hanover Beach and Cattaraugus Creek Harbor

Cattaraugus Creek Boat Launch and Town of Hanover Beach

A DEC boat launch on the southern shore of Cattaraugus Creek at Sunset Bay has access to the pier along Lake Erie. Adjacent to the pier is the town’s public beach, a small sandy beach with a guarded swimming area, pavilion, playground, and picnic facilities.

George Borrello Park on Lake Erie information

George Borrello Park

A small village park with little to offer other than a peaceful beach and a few picnic tables. In 1841 a tragic steamboat fire offshore caused the death of over 200 people.

NY State Rest Area at Silver Creek

Silver Creek Rest Area

A small pull-over along Rt 5 Westbound west of Silver Creek. It has picnic tables and you can kind-of see Lake Erie from a hidden spot in the back.

Lake Erie at Eagle Bay

Eagle Bay Pullover

A small pull-over along Rt 5 Westbound west of Silver Creek. It has views of Lake Erie and a small path to the beach.

Photo coming soon

Sheridan Bay Park

Reserve a campsite, or pay just $1 for a day pass to this private lakeside campground and beach. 3 Miles east of Dunkirk.

St Hyacinth Lakeside Cemetery in Dunkirk, NY

St. Hyacinth Cemetery

A beautiful Polish Catholic cemetery overlooking Erie Lake, just east of Dunkirk.

Photo coming soon

Wright Park

The City of Dunkirk hosts this park on Lake Erie. It features ball-fields, basketball courts, street hockey court, skate park, picnic facilities, shelters, and a sandy beach along Lake Erie.

Photo coming soon

Dunkirk City Pier and Memorial Park

The city pier, off of Central Ave., has public parking, boat launches, and fishing and sightseeing opportunities. Nearby Memorial Park is a beautiful lakeside park dedicated to the city’s veterans.

Photo coming soon

Dunkirk Lighthouse

Built in 1875 on Gratiot Point, the light still serves as a navigational beacon to this day. It’s free to visit the grounds and explore the history, but tours will cost you.

Photo coming soon

Gratiot Point Park

This Dunkirk City park and beach has picnic facilities, playgrounds, a ball-field, and a sandy swimming beach.

Photo coming soon

Canadaway Creek Nature Sanctuary

A 35-acre preserve along Canadaway Creek at Lake Erie, just west of Dunkirk and Fredonia. The sanctuary is a popular spot for fishing, birdwatching, and catching sunsets.

Photo coming soon

Lake Erie State Park

Featuring a fully-equipped campground on a bluff overlooking Lake Erie, this State Park west of Dunkirk has hiking trails, picnic facilities, and a scenic beach. No swimming.

Ottaway Park Guide

Ottaway Park

A small community park east of Barcelona in the town of Westfield. It has a pavilion, playground, and a walking path with views of the lake from the bluff. A waterfall can also be found on bordering Doty Creek.

Barcelona Harbor beach and Lighthouse

Barcelona Harbor Beach and Lighthouse

The Barcelona Pier is a great place to fish and view Lake Erie. The adjacent sandy beach is lined by cliffs and even has waterfalls. Nearby is the Barcelona Lighthouse, which now serves as a visitor’s center.

Photo coming soon

Barcelona Beach (west)

A small parking lot off of Main St. in Barcelona leads to a sandy beach.

Photo coming soon

Ripley Beach

A small cliff-lined beach on an abandoned estate. I’m not 100% sure this is public and will check it out.

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