Helen L. McNitt State Park

Helen L. McNitt State Park covers 133 acres of hardwood forests, pine-covered hills, and open fields that meet Cazenovia Lake along its shoreline. The park provides access to the water's edge and room for outdoor recreation among varied terrain and vegetation.

The McNitt family donated the property to New York State in 1999, transforming private land into a public recreational area. This transfer protected the land and established it as a permanent natural space for the community.

The shoreline draws people throughout the year for water activities and fishing, creating seasonal rhythms tied to the lake's changing conditions. This connection to the water shapes how visitors experience and remember the place.

A gravel parking area just north of Chard Road on East Lake Road provides straightforward access for launching small watercraft and reaching the shoreline. The location near the boat launch keeps navigation simple for most visitors.

The park contains roughly 1,300 feet of wetland shoreline along Cazenovia Lake, representing one of the region's largest undeveloped waterfronts. This protected edge draws people interested in observing wildlife and marshland ecology up close.

Location: New York

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/201/details.aspx

GPS coordinates: 42.97080,-75.87660

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42