The 'Caribbean Of New York' Is A Peaceful State Park With Stunning Turquoise Lakes

New York state has plenty of amazing destinations, from the steel skyscrapers of Manhattan to the natural skyscrapers of the Adirondacks. However, diverse as New York is, the Caribbean it is not. Still, while the Empire State is quite a ways away from the tropical beaches of the Caribbean, intrepid travelers may be surprised to find a few slices of Caribbean-like scenery tucked away around New York. One of those surprising places happens to be 10 miles from Syracuse, where New York's Green Lakes State Park protects a natural lake setting quite unlike any other in the state. 

Lakes aren't exactly a novelty in New York, given popular lake destinations like the Finger Lakes, and even portions of two Great Lakes. What sets the twin lakes of Green Lakes State Park apart from other New York lakes is their color. Rather than the standard deep blues or mirror grays found on many freshwater lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake stand out with rich shades of green and turquoise that look much closer to Caribbean waters than the lakes in the temperate Northeast. And while the color of these lakes, and the unique science behind it, certainly stands out, the rest of the state park complements its distinctive waters with old-growth forests, scenic trails, and plenty of recreational options for both day trips and overnight visits. Best of all, Green Lakes State Park is completely free to enter, so you can find a small but memorable slice of Caribbean shades on a cheap day trip within the Syracuse metro area.

Obviously, a true Caribbean getaway will require traveling to fun and scenic Caribbean islands like St. Lucia. While Green Lakes State Park doesn't have St. Lucia's tropical climate, it does replicate the Caribbean's aesthetic in surprising ways. Green Lakes State Park covers over 2,000 acres of upland forests near Fayetteville, east of Syracuse. Its centerpieces are two deep glacial lakes: the 180-foot-deep Round Lake and the 195-foot-deep Green Lake. Beyond being impressive natural features, both Green Lake and Round Lake share a specific trait that sets them apart from other New York lakes. 

Both are classified as "meromictic lakes," a fancy way of saying their surface and bottom waters don't mix across seasons. Their unusual water chemistry, including calcium carbonate and cynobacterial activity, helps produce the lakes' distinctive green and turquoise tones that give Green Lakes State Park its status as "the Caribbean of New York." In some instances, the lakes' colors mimic the turquoise beaches of picturesque Hawaiian destinations like Kailua more than they do anywhere in New York.

Alas, these crystal-clear blue-green lakes are not surrounded by palm trees. However, the rest of the park also protects an old-growth forest. The contrast between Caribbean water tones and old-growth temperate forests creates one-of-a-kind nature shots. Green Lakes State Park's rich forests are also home to giant hemlocks and tulip trees, along with abundant wildlife like foxes, minks, raccoons, and plenty of birds.

Green Lakes State Park offers guests plenty of amenities and activities against a backdrop of Caribbean colors. Though the lakes are the central attractions, the park's hiking trails are one of the best ways to experience the area. A comprehensive trail network gives hikers plenty of options for exploring both lakes and the forests around them. 

For a longer hike, the Green Lakes Perimeter Trail covers nearly 10 miles through the broader park, venturing beyond the busier trails around the lakes and into quieter areas. A more abridged Green Lakes hike is the Green Lake to Round Lake Trail, an easy 2.9-mile loop around the lakes, while the Round Lake Trail is an even shorter hike from the Pine Woods Camping Area around Round Lake (with a few good shots of Green Lake as a bonus). During your hike, keep an eye out for hidden geological features like gorge slopes rising more than 150 feet, or the over 170 bird species that have been documented in the park.

Given the lakes' fragile ecosystem, outside boats, kayaks, and canoes are prohibited, though visitors can rent boats onsite during the summer. Thanks to its blue-green color and clear waters, Green Lake's beach is one of New York's prettiest swimming spots. Between May and October, Green Lakes State Park Campground operates more than 130 campsites across the park, plus seven four-person cabins. Overnight visitors can also explore several nearby attractions. The Old Erie Canal State Historic Park is right next door, and New York's charming, laid-back Finger Lakes town of Skaneateles is only 40 minutes away.