Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake is a favorite Finger Lakes destination for many visitors who come to enjoy the warm waters, excellent fishing and lake-front restaurants. Keuka, from the Iroquois for "canoe landing," forks out into a Y shape about halfway up the lake, with shallow waters yielding warm water that makes for comfortable swimming all summer long. The panoramic view of vineyards surrounding the lake make for what many describe as the most picturesque of all the Finger Lakes.
The largest town on Keuka Lake is Penn Yan (population 5,219), at the end of the northeastern branch of the lake. Penn Yan is the county seat of Yates County. The town of Branchport is at the end of the northwestern branch, and Hammondsport - where winemaking in the Finger Lakes began - anchors the southern end of the lake.
Quick Links: Keuka Lake Bed & Breakfasts
Don't Miss
Keuka Wine Trail - It may be smaller than the other wine trails in the Finger Lakes, but wine lovers should check out the wineries at Keuka Lake to see where it all began.
The Scenery - Many proclaim Keuka Lake to be the most beautiful, scenic and picturesque of all the Finger Lakes. Spend some time at Keuka Lake and decide for yourself.
Fishing - The warm, shallow water of Keuka Lake make for great fishing, especially lake trout, rainbow trout and brown trout.
What To Do
Bicycling
The area around Keuka Lake is especially good for bicyclists. The 44 mile circuit around the lake is a popular route, with spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding vineyards. What was once known as the "Crooked Lake Canal" that linked Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake has been out of use since 1870, but the path left by the canal is now put to good use by hikers and bikers.
Boating
Keuka Lake is very popular with water sports enthusiasts who come to Keuka for the warm waters and stunning scenery. Marinas in Hammondsport and Penn Yan offer boat rentals, and some even offer canoe and kayak delivery to your cottage.
A few operators offer cruises on Keuka Lake, including the Esperanza Rose boat cruise run by the elegant Esperanza Mansion, one of the higher-end hotels on the lake. The Esperanza Rose is a 65-foot vintage boat that roams Keuka Lake, offering incredibly scenic views on its upscale lunch and dinner cruises.
Fishing
Keuka Lake is famous for its fishing, especially lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and landlocked salmon. You can catch some big brown trout here - one fisherman landed a 22 pound brown on Lake Keuka, setting what was then a state record that has long since been eclipsed.
Hiking
The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, which connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, is especially appealing to hikers. The trail runs along abandoned railroad tracks from Penn Yan to Dresden. The five mile trail winds past old mills that have long since fallen into disuse and two stunning waterfalls that are very much still alive.
The Keuka Lake State Park, near Penn Yan in Bluff Point, has some nice hiking trails and plenty of other attractions as well.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Ballooning enthusiasts should check out the Festival of Balloons in nearby Dansville - it will be held on Labor Day Weekend 2009. Several hot air balloon operations offer rides in the Finger Lakes region:
High Hopes Balloon Co. offers flights in the Finger Lakes and surrounding area. (585-377-7768, highhopesbaloon@aol.com, http://www.highhopesballoon.com/) For ballooning enthusiasts, the Festival of Balloons in nearby Dansville will be held on Labor Day Weekend 2009.
Finger Lakes Ballooning offers flights in the Finger Lakes and surrounding area. (315-594-8946)
Liberty Balloon Company offers flights in the Finger Lakes and Letchworth Park. They have a special wine country tour that launches from Canadaigua. (1-800-777-2FLY, office@libertyballoon.com, http://www.libertyballoon.com)
Sunset Adventures, based in Auburn, offers balloon flights in the Finger Lakes area. (315-252-7768, http://www.fingerlakes-ballooning.com/)
Public Parks
Just west of Penn Yan, The Keuka Lake State Park is a great place for taking in all the charms that Keuka Lake has to offer. A big camping area (150 tent and trailer sites), a swimming beach, boat launch, dockage and hiking trails are some of the features that make Keuka Lake State Park a prime spot for enjoying the great outdoors.
Wine
The Finger Lakes is the largest and most highly-regarded winemaking region in the eastern United States, and it owes much of its acclaim to the lakes themselves, with geothermic and topographic features that make this area perfect for viticulture. None is more deserving of praise than Keuka Lake, which is where Finger Lakes winemaking got its start. Rev. William Bostwick planted grapes in his Hammondsport gardens around 1840, and some varieties responded so well to the local climate that other gardening enthusiasts jumped on the bandwagon. Soon local growers were sending their grape harvests to market in New York, where they were shipped off to winemakers all over. Around 1870, the first commercial winemaking took hold in Hammondsport, and local vintners have kept at ever since.
The Keuka Wine Trail is not as extensive as that of some of its neighbors, but many wine enthusiasts think Keuka Lake has some of the best winemakers in the region. Explore the Keuka Wine Trail and decide for yourself.
Where To Stay
With only one major hotel in the area around Keuka Lake, most visitors will stay in one of the many small inns and B&B's on and around Keuka Lake - ranging from the simplest of lodgings to the most grand estate houses. There are also a few motels from a bygone era. House and cottage rentals are available as well. Branchport and Penn Yan are the best places to look for lodging of all types. See: Bed & Breakfasts on Keuka Lake
Where to Eat
When you're visiting Keuka Lake, you'll have your pick of lakefront eateries. Keuka boasts so many lakefront restaurants, many have docks and offer tie-up facilities to welcome diners arriving by water. Some of the Keuka wineries have restaurants, and all the best restaurants on Keuka Lake feature the finest local wines. You'll find all kinds of fine and casual dining on Keuka Lake, with many restaurants offering locally-caught fish and locally-grown produce. You'll even find Amish and Mennonite foods.