Top 20 Lakes around Albany
Lakes around Albany, New York, offer diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. The region features both urban lakes within city limits and expansive waters suitable for day trips. These bodies of water provide settings for activities such as fishing, non-motorized boating, hiking, and wildlife observation. The area's geography includes serene urban escapes and larger lakes nestled near the Adirondack Mountains.
Best lakes around Albany
- The most popular lakes is Ayala Cove - Angel Island Ferry Landing, a ferry landing and historical site. This location is car-free, providing trails for hikers and bikers, and private boats can moor at its pier.
- Another must-see spot is Lake Merritt, a lake and natural monument. This 155-acre tidal lagoon, designated as the USA's first official wildlife refuge in 1870, is surrounded by parks and features a popular 5.5 km walking and jogging path.
- Visitors also love Aquatic Park Beach, a beach and historical site. This sandy beach is recognized for its cleanliness and is suitable for open water swimming, with facilities including showers and boat clubs.
- Albany is known for lakes offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. The region provides a variety of lakes to explore, from urban settings to larger bodies of water suitable for day trips.
- The lakes around Albany are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 100 upvotes and 40 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
Aquatic Park Beach
Highlight • Beach
Its sandy beach is one of the cleanest in the state and best places to take an open water swim close to Downtown. There are showers as well as two boat/swim clubs which are open to the public for about $10 to use showers/saunas and change rooms, a municipal pier, restrooms, concessions stand, stadia, and two speaker towers.
The District's San Francisco Maritime Museum building was built as a bathhouse in 1936 by the WPA; in Streamline Moderne style, its interior is decorated with fantastic and colorful murals. The Steamship Room illustrates the evolution of maritime technology from wind to steam, and there are displays of lithographic stones, scrimshaw, and whaling guns and photo-murals of San Francisco's early waterfront. A visiting-attractions gallery hosts exhibitions.
In front of the Maritime Museum is a man-made lagoon on the site of the former Black Point Cove. To the west is the horseshoe-shaped Municipal Pier, which was voted SFWeekly's Best Place to Go Fish 2009. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquatic_Park_Historic_District
nps.gov/safr/planyourvisit/aquaticparkcove.htm
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Ayala Cove - Angel Island Ferry Landing
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Point Emery
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Lake Merritt
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Lake Anza
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Point Emery, located on the SF Bay Trail, is a charming little park with stellar bay views, walking paths, and relaxation spots with benches along the trails. Open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, Point Emery provides a perfect outdoor setting for families and dog owners, with designated off-leash areas for pets. The park features two launches: a wide sandy beach north of the parking lot and a narrow set of stairs near the Point, making it popular for kayakers, paddleboarders, and kiteboarders. The short walk to the beach, through small dunes and down steps, gives way to a beautiful stretch of golden sand. Although there are no public transportation services nearby, a good amount of parking is available.
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Point Emery, located on the SF Bay Trail, is a charming little park with stellar bay views, walking paths, and relaxation spots with benches along the trails. Open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, Point Emery provides a perfect outdoor setting for families and dog owners, with designated off-leash areas for pets. The park features two launches: a wide sandy beach north of the parking lot and a narrow set of stairs near the Point, making it popular for kayakers, paddleboarders, and kiteboarders. The short walk to the beach, through small dunes and down steps, gives way to a beautiful stretch of golden sand. Although there are no public transportation services nearby, a good amount of parking is available.
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The Angel Island Ferry Landing in Ayala Cove offers regular passenger ferry service to Tiburon and San Francisco. The Angel Island to Tiburon Ferry provides a 15-minute crossing of the Racoon Strait to the Tiburon Ferry Terminal. The island is car-free, providing safe trails to hikers and bikers. Unlike the Tiburon and Sausalito ferry piers, private boats can moor at Ayala Cove Pier under Angel Island State Park's rules. Late in the day, lines can grow long, and on busy dates, visitors may be left waiting at the pier when the ferry reaches capacity.
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Lake Merritt was a large tidal lagoon in San Francisco Bay that was dammed off as Oakland grew as a city. It is 155 acres in size, and it was the first official wildlife refuge in the USA in 1870. It has walking and biking trails and parks all around it.
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Landing of the short ferry from Tiburon or the longer ride from San Francisco. From here the entire island is car-free, reserved for hikers and bikers.
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This island is the largest in San Francisco Bay, with a long history. It has been a hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a haven and supply stop for Spanish explorers, a cattle ranch, a place to process hundreds of thousands of immigrants, and a refuge for the military dating back to the Civil War era, up to the 1960s. The island's transition into a California State Park took over to protect the remains of the former immigration and quarantine stations, as well as military defense installations, and allow visitors to enjoy this beautiful hidden gem surrounded by the urban Bay area. Ayala Cove is the landing area for Angel Island State Park and is only accessible by ferry. It is a passage from Tiburon or a longer ride from San Francisco. From here, the entire island is car-free and reserved for hikers and bikers to explore this fantastic island.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of lakes can I find around Albany, NY?
The Albany region offers a mix of urban lakes within the city limits, such as Buckingham Lake and Rensselaer Lake, and larger, more expansive waters suitable for day trips, like Great Sacandaga Lake and Lake George. These lakes provide diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities.
Are there lakes suitable for swimming near Albany?
Yes, Lake George, known as the 'Queen of American Lakes,' is an excellent option for swimming, with popular spots like Million Dollar Beach. While some urban lakes like Washington Park Lake do not permit swimming, others offer different water activities.
Which lakes are good for non-motorized boating or kayaking?
Rensselaer Lake and Lawson Lake are popular spots for non-motorized boating, including kayaking and canoeing. Six Mile Waterworks also offers tranquil kayaking opportunities. For a larger experience, Great Sacandaga Lake is ideal for sailing and cruising.
Where can I go fishing around Albany?
Rensselaer Lake is a popular spot for fishing, featuring a fishing pier. Lawson Lake and Six Mile Waterworks also provide good opportunities for anglers.
Are there family-friendly lakes in the Albany area?
Great Sacandaga Lake is particularly family-oriented, offering camping, sailing, and sandy beaches. Lake George also provides a vibrant atmosphere with events and activities suitable for families.
What lakes are best for hiking or walking trails?
Washington Park Lake features foot and cycle paths along its banks. Lawson Lake offers hiking trails amidst wooded hills. Tivoli Lake Preserve, with Tivoli Lake, has wetlands, trails, and boardwalks ideal for walks and birdwatching. For more extensive hiking options, you can explore routes like the easy hikes around Albany.
Can I find lakes with historical significance or unique natural features?
Lake George is known as the 'Queen of American Lakes' and is set amidst the Adirondack Mountains. Tivoli Lake, within the Tivoli Lake Preserve, is Albany's largest urban nature preserve, offering wetlands and environmental education opportunities.
What winter activities are available at lakes near Albany?
In winter, Washington Park Lake becomes a popular destination for ice skating, offering a unique seasonal activity within the city.
Are there lakes where I can observe wildlife or birds?
Tivoli Lake, located within the Tivoli Lake Preserve, is an excellent spot for birdwatching and observing local wildlife due to its wetlands and protected natural environment.
What cycling opportunities are there near Albany's lakes?
Many lakes offer paths for cycling, such as Washington Park Lake. For dedicated cycling routes, you can find various options in the cycling guide for Albany, including routes like the Grizzly Peak Loop or the Richmond Bay Trail.
Are there options for gravel biking near the lakes?
Yes, the Albany area provides opportunities for gravel biking. You can explore routes like the East Bay Skyline and Berkeley Hills Loop, detailed in the gravel biking guide for Albany.
Which lakes are good for a peaceful retreat or relaxation?
Buckingham Lake offers serene waters for a quiet escape within the city. Great Sacandaga Lake also provides a peaceful retreat with sandy beaches for relaxed strolls.
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