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It's Summertime around the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region

posted by Chautauqua County at 2022-08-10 11:29:00

The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region is a destination that attracts travelers who are seeking phenomenal outdoor recreation opportunities and idyllic charm.

Local waterways are a huge draw; windswept shores, beaches, and dramatic cliffs define Chautauqua County’s northern Lake Erie border. Lake Erie harbors abundant walleye, bass, and trout fisheries, and is home to popular bird migration flyways.
Inland, Chautauqua Lake has remained a destination for lake recreation enthusiasts who have enjoyed sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking, and other water fun for generations. Several smaller lakes surround Chautauqua, including Findley Lake to the southwest, plus Bear and Cassadaga Lakes to the north. There is not a single part of the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region that is more than 20 minutes from open water.

Boating and Paddlesports:

Chautauqua County is a very popular destination for boating and paddlesports. Visitors have the option to rent power and pontoon boats as well as certain non-motorized boats. Marinas offer half, full, and multi-day rental options. Enjoy cruising around the lakes, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, tubing, water skiing, and sailing. Each of the five area lakes--Chautauqua, Erie, Findley, Cassadaga, and Bear--has at least one NYS DEC boat launch. There are also full-service marinas  on Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake.


Fishing:

Fishing Lake Erie’s shoreline between Dunkirk and Irving, NY is truly an experience. Bass are found along the entire New York shoreline with hotspots concentrated around rocky drop-offs in 15 to 35 feet of water. Anglers can enjoy an early bass season on Lake Erie, which runs from the 1st Saturday in May until the 3rd Saturday in June. The eastern basin of Lake Erie is well-known for trophy-size walleye found in deeper waters. Lake Erie charter fishing is available much of the year.


Among local inland lakes, Chautauqua Lake  has exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish.  Findley Lake’s  beds of aquatic vegetation provide habitat for a variety of sportfish and panfish, while the three interconnected lakes of Cassadaga  provide angling opportunities for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge and panfish. Bear Lake's  shoreline is predominantly wetland, providing excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish.

Golf:

Spend a day playing a round of golf  or two on one of the highly rated, golf courses located throughout Chautauqua County. Play on a championship caliber course at Peek'n Peak Resort. Enjoy a round of 9 holes followed by a satisfying craft beverage and meal at the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House. Tee off at the course that brought golf to the region over a century ago, the Chautauqua Golf Club, located across from the Chautauqua Institution.
Bring the whole family out for a game of miniature golf. Golf around Chautauqua County at Midway State Park's  18-hole local themed course complete with tributes to several local landmarks. Play a round on Peek'n Putt's  beautifully landscaped 18-hole course that includes water hazards for an extra challenge perfect for all ages. Enjoy a relaxing game of mini-golf at the tranquil 18-hole course at Webb's Miniature Golf Course  and don't forget to grab ice cream after the game!

Trails:

Designated trails provide year-round opportunities for hiking  and Chautauqua County has some of the best hiking trails in NY.

Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail  system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views a common atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park  marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county on clears days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Journey the 17 miles of Rails to Trails  or plan a visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center. And, though it may be a few months away, trails offer some of the best fall foliage in New York.

Parks:

State and Municipal Parks offer places to picnic, ride bicycles, play games, and more. Chautauqua County’s two New York State Parks, Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie State Park, plus nearby Allegany State Park  are all wonderful places to visit. There are also several municipal and city parks throughout the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region.

Nature Attractions:

Celebrate nature in Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region! Embark on a guided horseback tour at Double D.A.B. Riding Stables, stand in awe of giant rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park, round up the kiddos for a nature play day at Jamestown’s Audubon Community Nature Center’s  outdoor spaces, or walk the actual woods and trails that influenced the young Roger Tory Peterson, the pre-eminent American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the global natural world to the public in the 20th century, surrounding the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.


Mountain Adventures:

Peek’n Peak Mountain Adventures  at Peek'n Peak Resort features the Aerial Adventure Course, Giant Dual Ziplines, and the Soaring Eagle Zipline and is open all summer through mid fall. Guests are asked to bring their own leather-palmed gloves for use on the Aerial Adventure Course & Giant Dual Ziplines, though appropriate gloves will be available for purchase upon arrival. Guests are also asked to place a reservation and print their waiver prior to arrival.




Photos: Courtesy of Chautauqua County Visitors Burerau
 

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