Lakes around Pittsford offer a variety of water-based activities and natural landscapes. The village is situated along the historic Erie Canal, providing both recreational opportunities and a connection to New York's past. Beyond the canal, the region features smaller local ponds and is within driving distance of larger Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario. This area provides diverse settings for outdoor exploration, from canal-side paths to expansive lake shorelines.
Last updated: July 9, 2026
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Highland Park has benches, picnic areas and Warner Castle, a historic castle in the heart of the park. The park also boasts a large assortment of flowers and plants. It has 1200 lilac shrubs, a Japanese Maple collection, 35 varieties of sweet-smelling magnolias, a barberry collection, a rock garden with dwarf evergreens, 700 varieties of rhododendron, azaleas, mountain laurel and andromeda, horse chestnuts, spring bulbs and wildflowers and a large number of exotic trees.
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Ridges surround this small pond, which formed during the melting of the ice ages. A well-marked trail leads you to this pond, the most isolated in Mendon Ponds Park.
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Hundred Acre Pond is one of the most popular ponds in Mendon Ponds Park, with water lilies clustering on its calm water.
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Mendons Pond Park is a 2,500 acre park that has woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms. It is not uncommon to see deer roaming the park. The park also has seven open air shelters with picnic tables and restrooms in multiple locations.
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Highland Park has benches, picnic areas and Warner Castle, a historic castle in the heart of the park. The park also boasts a large assortment of flowers and plants. It has 1200 lilac shrubs, a Japanese Maple collection, 35 varieties of sweet-smelling magnolias, a barberry collection, a rock garden with dwarf evergreens, 700 varieties of rhododendron, azaleas, mountain laurel and andromeda, horse chestnuts, spring bulbs and wildflowers and a large number of exotic trees.
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The historic Erie Canal runs directly through Pittsford, offering a unique blend of history and recreation. You can learn about its past importance as a waterway. Additionally, Highland Park Reservoir is part of Highland Park, which features the historic Warner Castle.
Yes, several options are great for families. The Erie Canal offers recreational activities like the Sam Patch tour boat and the flat Erie Canalway Trail for walking or biking. Hundred Acre Pond in Mendon Ponds Park is known for being family-friendly. For larger lake experiences, Canandaigua Lake offers swimming at Kershaw Park and cruises on the Canandaigua Lady, while Lake Ontario has sandy beaches at Ontario Beach Park.
The Erie Canal is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing, with multiple entry points. For larger waters, Canandaigua Lake is excellent for paddling, and Lake Ontario also provides expansive waters for boating and paddling activities. Hundred Acre Pond offers calm waters suitable for beginners.
The Erie Canalway Trail provides wide, flat paths alongside the canal, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. Within Mendon Ponds Park, you'll find various trails, including a well-marked path leading to Devil's Bathtub. For more options, explore the hiking trails around Pittsford, which include routes like the Philbrick Park Trail and Lock 62 / Auburn Trail Loop.
Yes, Hundred Acre Pond in Mendon Ponds Park is noted as being dog-friendly. The Erie Canalway Trail is also a great place to walk dogs, provided they are leashed.
You can observe water lilies on the calm waters of Hundred Acre Pond. Devil's Bathtub is a unique glacial formation. Highland Park Reservoir is surrounded by a park boasting a large assortment of flowers and plants, including lilac shrubs and magnolias. Mendon Ponds Park, home to several ponds, features woodlands, wetlands, and glacially created landforms.
Fishing is possible in Lake Lacoma, a smaller lake within Pittsford. For larger opportunities, Canandaigua Lake is popular for fishing, and Lake Ontario offers seasonal fishing access, such as at Webster Park near Pittsford.
The Erie Canal is enjoyable throughout the warmer months for boating and trail activities. Canandaigua Lake and Lake Ontario are ideal for swimming and water sports during summer. Spring brings blooming flowers to Highland Park, while autumn offers scenic views along the trails.
Yes, Pittsford's Schoen Place, located along the Erie Canal, is a vibrant area with shops and restaurants. Bushnell's Basin, another public boat dock area on the canal near Pittsford, offers amenities like picnic tables and restrooms.
The Erie Canalway Trail is a prime location for cycling, offering flat and scenic routes. You can find various cycling routes, including easy and moderate options, in the Cycling around Pittsford guide, such as the Erie Canalway and Genesee Riverway Trail Loop.
Devil's Bathtub, located within Mendon Ponds Park, is described as the most isolated pond in the park, offering a more secluded natural monument experience.
Mendon Ponds Park, which encompasses Hundred Acre Pond and Devil's Bathtub, is a 2,500-acre park with woodlands, ponds, and wetlands. It provides seven open-air shelters with picnic tables and restrooms in multiple locations, making it convenient for visitors.


Still not found your perfect lake around Pittsford? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.