Onanda Park
Canandaigua, New York · on Canandaigua Lake · Canandaigua Lake Access
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Onanda Park
Onanda Park is a Town of Canandaigua park on the west shore of Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region, on the site of a former YWCA camp acquired by New York State and the Town of Canandaigua in 1989 and opened to the public in 1990. The park has two halves: a fee-based lakeside day-use area with a swimming beach, cabins, and boat rentals, and a free upland nature-trail section featuring a Barnes Creek gorge with three waterfalls, making it both a lakefront swimming hole and a waterfall hike in a single stop.
The park sits on the western shore of Canandaigua Lake and is split into two distinct zones: a developed lakeside area with beach, picnic grounds, playground, and cabins, and an 'uplands' wooded section above the lake where Barnes Creek has cut a small gorge with a series of cascades on its way down to the lake.
Swimming at Onanda Park
Swimming takes place in Canandaigua Lake from a designated beach on the east side of the park's lakeside section, which is the fee-admission day-use area; this is lake swimming rather than swimming at the waterfalls, which sit in a separate free upland section of the park.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 4965 County Road 16, Canandaigua, NY, on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, with the swimming beach and lakeside facilities accessed directly from the park entrance; the separate uplands nature trail to the Barnes Creek waterfalls is about 0.8 miles round trip and rated easy to moderate.
The hike in
Onanda Park uplands trail to Barnes Creek gorge waterfalls
- Time on foot
- plan at least 1 hour for the ~0.8-mile uplands waterfall trail (not required for swimming)
Difficulty: easy to moderate for the uplands waterfall trail, with some steeper/rougher creek-side stretches if exploring off the maintained path
Trailhead: Uplands parking area near King Hall, at the back of the uplands open field (separate lot from the lakeside beach, holds about 40 cars)
No hike is needed to reach the swimming beach, it's a drive-up/walk-up lake beach in the fee-based lakeside section. A separate, free ~0.8-mile uplands nature trail (not connected to the swim beach) leads to a series of three Barnes Creek waterfalls (roughly 35ft, 8ft, and 50ft); a creek-walk variant closer to the falls was reported off-limits for trespassing as of 2018, though the official uplands trail remains open.
Swimming and hiking are in two separate zones of the park: lake swimming at the paid lakeside beach, and the free upland Barnes Creek gorge trail. Best flow/photogenic conditions for the waterfalls are in spring or after heavy rain; visiting early or on weekdays avoids crowds (nyfalls.com).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
The lake swim area is a designated, lifeguard-guarded beach on Canandaigua Lake (per nyfalls.com facility listing: 'guarded swimming area'), which is a lake shoreline entry rather than a cliff-jump or fast-current spot. No hazards or currents were documented at the beach itself.
Parking
Paid
The lakeside beach/day-use section is fee-based admission (dollar amount not published in sources found). A separate uplands parking area near King Hall/the back of the uplands open field holds roughly 40 cars and serves the free Barnes Creek waterfall trail; this uplands lot is distinct from the lakeside swim-beach lot.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms and showers are listed among the lakeside day-use facilities (official Town of Canandaigua page lists 'bathrooms'; nyfalls.com trip report lists 'restrooms; showers' at the park).
Water clarity
Clear
Canandaigua Lake overall is known for high water clarity (visibility of the bottom reported up to 30-50 feet per Wikipedia's summary of the lake, which is also the local municipal drinking-water source and won a NY state 'best drinking water' award in 2013 and 2017). Separately, first-hand trip-report photos of the Barnes Creek gorge (upland trail, not the swim beach) show clear creek water, per nyfalls.com.
On the water
Restrictions: On-site rentals require renters to be at least 18 years old (or a parent/guardian present with a signed waiver for each minor) and to wear the provided life jacket at all times. No information was found confirming a trailer boat launch or motorboat access at this specific park location.
The Town of Canandaigua runs its own kayak/canoe/paddleboard rental concession at the park (Onanda Gate House); no independent outfitter/rental business specifically serving this stretch of shoreline was found in available sources.
Rentals nearby
Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals, on-site at the park
Prices: $15/hour, $40 for 4 hours, $65 for a full day (open to close), $50/day for multi-day rentals
Onanda Gate House, within Onanda Park, 4965 County Road 16, Canandaigua, NY
What regulars say
One visitor's detailed first-hand trip report offers visitor-level tips: the Barnes Creek gorge water is clear in trip photos, creek flow is low most of the year and best after spring rains, the maintained uplands trail is easy-to-moderate but the unofficial creek-walk closer to the falls involves careful stone-hopping and was reported closed for trespassing as of 2018, and visiting early or on weekdays helps avoid crowds.
Backstory
The site began as a YWCA camp established just before 1900; it was purchased in 1989 in a cooperative effort between New York State and the Town of Canandaigua and officially opened to the public in 1990. The historic Babcock Building on the waterfront now houses the Onanda Outpost concession stand as part of recent 'Uplands at Onanda Park' improvements.
Onanda Park: FAQ
Does Onanda Park charge a fee?
The lakeside section of the park (beach, swimming area) requires paid day-use admission; the uplands waterfall trail section is free to access. No specific dollar rate was found in official sources.
Is Onanda Park kid friendly?
The lake swim area is a designated, lifeguard-guarded beach on Canandaigua Lake (per nyfalls.com facility listing: 'guarded swimming area'), which is a lake shoreline entry rather than a cliff-jump or fast-current spot. No hazards or currents were documented at the beach itself.
Do I need to hike to reach Onanda Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Onanda Park?
The lakeside beach/day-use section is fee-based admission (dollar amount not published in sources found). A separate uplands parking area near King Hall/the back of the uplands open field holds roughly 40 cars and serves the free Barnes Creek waterfall trail; this uplands lot is distinct from the lakeside swim-beach lot.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Onanda Park?
The Town of Canandaigua runs its own kayak/canoe/paddleboard rental concession at the park (Onanda Gate House); no independent outfitter/rental business specifically serving this stretch of shoreline was found in available sources.
When is the best time to visit Onanda Park?
summer
What are the rules at Onanda Park?
Pets are not permitted on the lakeside portion of the park. Kayak/canoe/paddleboard renters must be at least 18 (or have parental/guardian consent and a signed waiver) and must wear a provided life jacket. As of a 2018 report, direct creek-walking to the waterfalls was reported off-limits due to trespassing concerns, though the official uplands trail remains open for hiking.
What water body is Onanda Park on?
Onanda Park is on Canandaigua Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Canandaigua
Vine Valley Beach
Canandaigua, New Yorklake
🛶🏄🚤
Kershaw Park
Canandaigua, New Yorklake
🛶🏄
Champlin Beach
Hammondsport, New Yorklake
🛶🏄🚤
Cayuga Lake State Park
Seneca Falls, New Yorklake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, New Yorklake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedLower Falls, Enfield Glen
Ithaca, New Yorkwaterfall pool
⛺