Otsego Lake is known as one of the prettiest lakes in New York State. The eight-mile-long lake provides dozens of activities and recreational opportunities year-round for residents and visitors to The Village of Cooperstown. The locals know lakefront life in Cooperstown cannot be beat and we invite you to experience it for yourself!
Activities on the Water
There are so many ways to play on Otsego Lake. Rentals for watercraft are available from a number of marine vendors dotting the lake. The Otesaga offers canoe, kayak, rowboat, and paddle board rentals for our guests as well as fishing tackle. There are a number of species of fish that inhabit the lake including trout, perch, and smallmouth bass. During the winter months, ice skating is a big draw and ice fishing for trout is allowed.
It's a Shore Thing
Lakefront life in Cooperstown can also be enjoyed from the shore. There are several parks with bike paths, walking trails, beaches, and picnic areas for recreational use. Lakefront Park is a tranquil spot adjacent to the Lakefront Lighthouse. Nearby, Council Rock Park, overlooking the namesake rock it's named for, is believed to have been a meeting place for Native Americans prior to the American Revolutionary War. The park not only looks out on the lake but is also adjacent to the beginning of the Susquehanna River.
Golf with a View
Nestled in on the southwest side of the lake, Leatherstocking Golf Course is one of the most scenic courses in the country. The panoramic waterscape can be seen from various elevations on the course and the fairway on the 18th hole is framed by the edge of the shore.
Fun in the Sun
Glimmerglass State Park, ten miles from town on the northern end of the lake, is a great place to go swimming during the summer. Water skiing and tubing are among some of the other favorite activities you'll find both locals and visitors enjoying on warm summer afternoons. And, boaters can launch their watercraft from any number of marinas around the water's edge including Fair Street and Fish Road boat launches right in Cooperstown.
Lakeside Accommodations
The Otesaga Resort Hotel has been proclaimed as one of America's greatest lakeside hotels and it's no wonder why. The luxurious resort sits on 700 acres of lakefront property and its proximity allows easy access to the water as well as nearby shoreline for guests to enjoy. Stunning views of the lake can be seen from many of the rooms as well as from the restaurants on the property. Seasonal seating out on the patio at the Hawkeye Bar and Grill or Fire Bar offers one of the best places to watch the sunset.
Whether you prefer to savor the lake from the shore or from a paddleboard, experience lakefront life in Cooperstown for yourself.