Top 6 Lakes around Yorktown Heights

For breathtaking views, visit the Red Bridge over the Croton Reservoir, which offers expansive vistas of the reservoir. The New Croton Dam also provides extensive views over the New Croton Reservoir and is a significant historical landmark. Additionally, the Teatown Lake Boardwalk allows you to get close to the water, offering great views of the lake and surrounding hills.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly activities. Sparkle Lake in Sparkle Lake Park features a sandy swimming beach, a children's playground, and a short walking trail. Teatown Lake Reservation, home to Teatown Lake, provides educational programs, a nature center with live animals, and gardens, making it an excellent destination for families. The area around the New Croton Reservoir, particularly Croton Gorge Park, is also great for family picnics and easy walks.

The lakes around Yorktown Heights offer a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, cycling, fishing, and swimming. For cycling, consider routes like the North County Trailway, which passes alongside Echo Lake. Hiking is popular at Teatown Lake Reservation, which boasts 15 miles of diverse trails. Fishing is excellent at Amawalk Reservoir and New Croton Reservoir, though permits are required. Sparkle Lake offers a designated swimming beach.

For hiking, Teatown Lake Reservation is a prime spot, offering 15 miles of trails through forests, meadows, and along streams, including a floating boardwalk over Teatown Lake. You can also find easy hikes around the area, such as the Three Lakes Loop or the Lakeside Loop, which are part of the easy hikes guide for Yorktown Heights.

The lakes and surrounding natural areas are rich in biodiversity. At Teatown Lake Reservation, you can observe local wildlife like turtles, geese, and various bird species, especially from the floating boardwalk. The nature center also houses exhibits with live animals. The reservoirs, being less developed, also provide habitats for various fish and bird species.

Yes, the New Croton Dam, completed in 1907, is a significant historical landmark. It was once the tallest dam in the world and is a monumental engineering feat that forms the New Croton Reservoir. The original Croton Aqueduct system, which the dam is part of, was New York City's primary water source in the 19th century.

Fishing is a popular activity, especially at the reservoirs. Both the Amawalk Reservoir and the New Croton Reservoir are known for excellent fishing, with species like brown trout, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Sparkle Lake also allows fishing for Largemouth bass, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. Note that for the NYC DEP reservoirs (Amawalk and New Croton), a free NYC DEP watershed access permit is required.

For recreational activities such as fishing or boating on the Amawalk Reservoir and the New Croton Reservoir, which are part of the New York City water supply system, you will need a free NYC DEP watershed access permit. If you plan to boat, rowboats must also be approved and registered with the DEP.

Absolutely. The North County Trailway offers a scenic ride, particularly the section from the New Croton Reservoir to Briarcliff Manor, where you can cycle surrounded by trees and alongside Echo Lake without vehicle traffic. There are also various cycling routes around Yorktown Heights that pass by or offer views of the lakes.

Teatown Lake Reservation is a unique ecological haven spanning 1,000 acres, offering extensive opportunities for nature immersion. It features a distinctive floating boardwalk across Teatown Lake, allowing close-up views of aquatic life. Beyond its 15 miles of trails, the reservation provides year-round educational programs, a nature center with live animals, and a two-acre Wildflower Island showcasing over 230 species of wildflowers, making it ideal for both nature enthusiasts and families.

Yes, Sparkle Lake in Sparkle Lake Park offers a sandy swimming beach, making it a popular spot for cooling off during warmer months. For current information on swimming facilities and hours, you can check the official Yorktownny.gov website: Swimming Facility Information.