Choose Your Lake!

We'll start building your trip by getting to know the eleven Finger Lakes of New York

Traveling west to east (or left to right, like reading a book), the 11 lakes in the Finger Lakes Region are named:

What you'll find on this page:

I know you'll want to make sure to spend some time getting to know the area while you visit the Finger Lakes Region.

Read on to find out: 

  • How the Finger Lakes were formed
  • Why YOU need a local to help you plan your visit to the area

Chances are really rather excellent you'll find one or more adventures to add to your itinerary!

How were the Finger Lakes formed?

These 11 lakes were formed by the Lauentide Ice Sheet about 10,000 years ago, during the most recent ice age. As the atmospheric temperatures rose and fell, this ice sheet melted and re-froze. Since water expands when it freezes, this fluctuation in temperature resulted in the ice sheet expanding and contracting where it lay, causing it to shift back an forth.

GlacierThe Finger Lakes were formed as the Laurentide Ice Sheet expanded and contracted, digging out the ground underneath. Photo by Adrien Daurenjou.

I've never seen a glacier, but they are huge! So huge they can carry boulders along inside them.

As the Laurentide Ice Sheet expanded and contracted, the boulders it carried dug into the ground underneath, essentially forming deep gouges in the landscape. These deep gouges remain today and are what we now consider the 11 Finger Lakes.

Eventually the ice age ended, atmospheric temperatures rose to the comfortable weather we live with today, and the Laurentide Ice Sheet melted away completely. The waters of that glacier would have been the first waters to fill in the Finger Lakes and adjoining waterways.

Get a local to help you plan your trip to the Finger Lakes Region

10,000 years later, you can be sure all the water of our lakes has been replaced many times over since then and we can't really claim the lakes are filled with glacier water. 

But that doesn't matter - the Finger Lakes are still beautiful. We have our glacier-dug lakes, waterfalls galore, hills, forests, cities, agriculture, great food, great hiking, great fishing, great living, and more. 

Other than a stint overseas with the Peace Corps, I've lived in the Finger Lakes Region of New York my entire life. While living abroad, I realized how unique and beautiful it is here. So when my service ended, I came back.

Now I help others plan their visits, whether they are long or short.

So let this local help you plan your trip to the Finger Lakes Region, because an insider knows all the best details.

Choose your lake to find out about things to do nearby. No matter what your favorite outdoor activity is, we have something for everyone! 

Create your own Finger Lakes adventure

The Finger Lakes Region is just too spectacular to miss!

Which outdoor activities will you add to your next Finger Lakes adventure itinerary? 

Share this!