Ostego County, New York Lake Open Late with Free Entry

Ready to beat the heat in Otsego County? Gilbert Lake State Park has you covered. Per a post on Facebook from earlier this week, their hours have been extended for the time being, from 10am-8pm. There is no charge for entry today. The park is open for swimming seven days a week.

Gilbert Lake State Park is nestled in the wooded, hilly terrain of the Catskill foothills, north of Oneonta, primarily within the town of New Lisbon in Otsego County. The park features a picturesque lake and three serene ponds, offering a perfect getaway with accessible cabins and campsites, complete with showers and a dumping station.

Get our free mobile app

The park boasts over 12 miles of interconnected trails suitable for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including biking, boating, fishing, hunting, and playing disc golf or softball. In winter, the trails transform into routes for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

The park is home to the New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, showcasing memorabilia, photographs, printed materials, and exhibits that highlight the contributions of the Civilian Conservation Corps both within the park and in other parks across New York and the United States.

Amenities include a beach for swimming, food concessions, playgrounds, picnic tables, and a disc golf course.

Nearby attractions and parks include Glimmerglass State Park, Bowman Lake State Park, Oquaga Creek State Park, and Chenango Valley State Park. Local highlights also feature the Baseball Hall of Fame, Farmers Museum, Howe Caverns, Hanford Mills Museum, and the Civilian Conservation Corps Exhibit and Nature Center.