This New York State Park With A Crystal-Clear Lake Transforms Into A Winter Ice Skating Getaway

As much as New York City is often considered the heart of the state, leaving the bustling chaos of the Big Apple behind for a bit helps you unwind. One of the best places to experience the softer side of New York State is Glimmerglass State Park on the shores of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown. 

If Cooperstown sounds familiar, that's because it's not only home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame — for those looking to plan the perfect baseball-themed weekend upstate — but it's also where author James Fenimore Cooper grew up. In fact, we can thank Cooper for giving Otsego Lake the name Glimmerglass in his 1841 novel, "The Deerslayer," describing it as "so placid and limpid that it resembled a bed of the pure mountain atmosphere, compressed into a setting of hills and woods." And he wasn't exaggerating. 

If its crystal-clear waters during the warmer months aren't enough, when the temperatures drop, Glimmerglass State Park turns into a winter wonderland getaway. From family-friendly skating under the West Picnic Shelter or playing ice hockey at Badger and Fortin Parks, there's no shortage of spaces to ice skate. Located a little less than a four-hour drive from New York City and roughly a 90-minute drive from either Syracuse or Albany, Cooperstown is a bit of a hike. But even if you don't fancy yourself the next Dorothy Hamill when donning a pair of ice skates, Glimmerglass State Park is definitely worth a visit this winter.

If you venture into Glimmerglass State Park, you can skate under the West Picnic Shelter from dawn until dusk. The shelter protects skaters from any incoming snow, and the ice is maintained by volunteers, so this is a safe spot for skating. Although it's not the longest ice skating trail in the U.S. — that would be Lake Morey in Fairlee Vermont — Otsego Lake is still a fantastic place for people of all ages and abilities. Be sure to bring your own ice skates and, of course, a thermos of hot chocolate to stay warm during breaks. Check the official Glimmerglass State Park Facebook page to see what the conditions are like before heading out to the lake for some ice skating.

Although Glimmerglass State Park may be the main reason you head to Cooperstown, Fortin Park, located near I-88 exit 16, is another covered skating area that's easily accessible, as is the community rink at Badger Park. While you need to bring your own skates and other gear to Fortin, thanks to Cooperstown Friends of the Parks, you can borrow skates and hockey equipment for free at Badger Park. Note that this outdoor skating rink isn't covered.

Glimmerglass State Park is ideal for more than just skating, and some fun snow sports to try this winter include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing within the park. When the skating rinks close down and the snow melts away, the lake becomes a hotspot for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

The park is home to several hiking trails, from the easy Beaver Pond Trail to the moderately difficult Sleeping Lion Trail. For campers, the park offers 50 camp sites that cost between $17 and $25 a night and $14 a night for backcountry camping. It's also the perfect location to host a party or even have a wedding under one of three pavilions, with prices starting at $75, depending on the size of your group.

Glimmerglass State Park is one of the major features in Cooperstown, but the village's history is a draw too. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Fly Creek Cider Mill has been making cider since 1856. Even older than that is the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge, built in 1825, making it the oldest covered bridge in the state of New York. There's also the Fenimore Farm and Country Village that dates back to 1813 and allows you to see what it was like to live and work on a 19th-century farm, with weavers and blacksmiths on site.