Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake details:

• Length:15.5 miles
• Maximum width: 1.5 miles
• Maximum depth: 278 feet
• Average depth: 129 feet
• Major cities and towns: Canandaigua, Naples

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You'll never be bored on Canandaigua Lake

Considered one of the four major lakes of the Finger Lakes Region, Canandaigua Lake is 16-miles-long, offers stunning views, and has lots of options if you want to spend time outdoors. 

If you are looking for a lake that has it all, Canandaigua Lake offers boating, camping, paddling opportunities whether you’re a beginner or an expert, and many spots for excellent hiking - plus waterfalls.

In addition to outdoor activities, Canandaigua Lake has tons of sight-seeing spots, restaurants, museums, and rentals on the lake. Don’t forget to ‘Uncork NY’ by stopping at a winery or two..or three.. or more!

Canandaigua Lake is the perfect spot to blend into the crowd, do the touristy stuff, and then get lost in the woods with just you and your crew.

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How did Canandaigua Lake get its name?

Canandaigua Lake, much like the neighboring lakes of the Finger Lakes Region, got its name from the Seneca Indian name for it. The Seneca Indians called the lake and the area around it, “Ga-nun-da-gwa,” meaning “chosen spot.” 

After European settlers moved in, Canandaigua continued to be the chosen spot. As the story goes, it became the “frontier capital of western NY” after the nearby city of Geneva was accidentally placed east of the Massachusetts Pre-Emption Line due to a surveyor’s mistake. The Massachusetts Pre-Emption Line divided the lands of New York from those of Massachusetts. 

Canandaigua was also the chosen spot of wealthy Mary Clark Thompson, founder of Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion, which can still be visited today. This garden, spread across 50-acres next to the 40-room mansion, was the Victorian summer home of Mary and her husband, Frederick Ferris Thompson. Today, the site is a State Historic Park - and you should make it a chosen spot to visit because it's a sight to behold.

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Things to do while visiting Canandaigua Lake

So, you wanna visit Canandaigua Lake?

Canandaigua Lake is known for having a little bit of something for everyone, excellent hiking, and numerous outdoor activities so you'll never get bored. I don't blame you for wanting to come here. Even though I live locally, I'm planning my next trip too!

To find out more about the following activities on Canandaigua Lake, just click on the link. I suggest you try them all - because you just never know what kind of good stuff you might miss out on if you don't!

Boating

Camping

Hiking

Paddling

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