Kershaw Park
Canandaigua, New York · on Canandaigua Lake · Kershaw Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Kershaw Park
Kershaw Park is a 9-acre City of Canandaigua park on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake at 155 Lakeshore Drive, minutes from downtown Canandaigua, NY. The city operates an official, lifeguard-staffed swimming beach within the park each summer, alongside a bathhouse, playground, dock, and picnic facilities. It is a managed municipal beach rather than an informal swimming hole.
The park sits along Lakeshore Drive on the northern end of Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, with lakefront walkways running on both sides of the road and views down the length of the lake.
Swimming at Kershaw Park
Swimming takes place at a designated, city-operated beach area with a bathhouse, staffed by lifeguards during the posted summer season (11:00am-6:45pm daily). No independent description of sand, water clarity, or depth at the swim area was found in sourced material.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 155 Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424, on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake near downtown Canandaigua.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Kershaw Park is a drive-up 9-acre city park directly on Lakeshore Drive; the swim beach and bathhouse are immediately adjacent to the park grounds with no trail or hike involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Kershaw Beach is a designated, lifeguard-staffed municipal swim beach (daily 11:00am-6:45pm during the posted season) with an on-site playground and bathhouse, which are strong positives for families. Official sources do not describe the water-depth profile or entry slope, so no claim is made there.
Restrooms
Yes
A bath house is listed among the park's on-site facilities (per the official City of Canandaigua Kershaw Park page); exact restroom location within the park (e.g. attached to bathhouse) is not further detailed.
Hours
Kershaw Swimming Beach (lifeguard-staffed): daily 11:00am-6:45pm, seasonal dates May 24-Aug 21, 2026, no admission fee for residents/guests in 2026 (subject to closure for weather or low water temperatures, and to early closure if lifeguard staffing is short, as happened Aug 24, 2025). General Kershaw Park grounds hours: 6:00am-11:00pm May 1-Oct 30, 6:00am-9:00pm Oct 31-Apr 30.
On the water
The official park page lists a 'small craft launch area' and a public dock on-site, indicating hand-launched small craft (kayak/canoe/paddleboard) are accommodated at Kershaw Park itself. No explicit rules on motorized boats, no-wake zones, or launch fees at this specific location were found.
Rentals nearby
Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals
Prices: $15/hour; $40 for 4 hours (half-day); $65 for a full day (open to close); $50/day for multi-day rentals. Life jackets required and provided free; renters must be 18+ or have parent/guardian sign a waiver for minors.
Onanda Park, a Town of Canandaigua park on Canandaigua Lake; rentals issued from the Onanda Gate House. Exact address/distance from Kershaw Park not confirmed in sourced pages (Kershaw Park is a City of Canandaigua facility at the north end of the lake, Onanda Park is a separate Town of Canandaigua lakefront park).
Kershaw Park: FAQ
Does Kershaw Park charge a fee?
As of Summer 2026, admission is free for residents and guests at the Kershaw Swimming Beach. Historical/older listings (Wikipedia) reference a small non-resident fee that predates this waiver.
Is Kershaw Park kid friendly?
Kershaw Beach is a designated, lifeguard-staffed municipal swim beach (daily 11:00am-6:45pm during the posted season) with an on-site playground and bathhouse, which are strong positives for families. Official sources do not describe the water-depth profile or entry slope, so no claim is made there.
Do I need to hike to reach Kershaw Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Kershaw Park?
Neither the main park page nor the swim-beach sub-facility page documents parking lot size, location, or cost. The park fronts Lakeshore Drive at 155 Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, so on-site or street parking is likely but unconfirmed in sourced material.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Kershaw Park?
The official park page lists a 'small craft launch area' and a public dock on-site, indicating hand-launched small craft (kayak/canoe/paddleboard) are accommodated at Kershaw Park itself. No explicit rules on motorized boats, no-wake zones, or launch fees at this specific location were found.
When is the best time to visit Kershaw Park?
Summer, within the posted seasonal dates (2026 season: May 24-August 21).
What are the rules at Kershaw Park?
Beach is subject to closure due to unexpected weather events or low water temperatures. The swim season and daily closing time depend on lifeguard staffing availability; in 2025 the beach closed early (Aug 24 instead of Labor Day) due to a lifeguard shortage.
What water body is Kershaw Park on?
Kershaw Park is on Canandaigua Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
