Hours & Fees
Green Lakes State Park is open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, NYS Parks charges $10 per vehicle and $35 per bus from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; in 2026 that ran May 23 to September 7. Outside those dates and hours there is no vehicle fee. An $80 Empire Pass covers day-use vehicle entry for the season. The park office is at (315) 637-6111.
Hours and Fees at a Glance
Park Hours
The park and trails are open daily from dawn to dusk, year round. The golf course entrance off Route 5 closes for the winter; the main entrance off Route 290 stays open.
Vehicle Fee
- $10 per vehicle, $35 per bus, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (May 23 to September 7 in 2026)
- No fee outside those dates. In October 2026 the park page read "Vehicle Entrance Fee: NO FEES."
- Empire Pass: $80, unlimited day-use vehicle entry at most state parks and DEC lands for the season. The NYS Parks store says 2027 pass sales open November 23, 2026.
People search for whether Green Lakes is free. The honest answer: free off season and outside 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., $10 a car on summer days.
2026 Seasonal Hours
- Beach: May 23 to September 7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. See beach.
- Boat rentals: June 22 to August 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; August 21 to September 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See boat rentals.
- Camping and cabins: May 15 to October 11. See camping and cabins.
- Camp store: May 23 to August 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
- Golf pro shop: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily in season; Yards Grille 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. See golf course.
- Environmental Education Center: noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday (July and October 2026). See nature center.
- Park office: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in July 2026; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in October 2026.
Other Fees
- Campsites: $20 to $39 a night in 2026, plus a $7.25 registration fee.
- Cabins: $462 a week or $111.50 a night, two-night minimum.
- Pavilions and rooms: $100 to $600. See picnic areas.
- Golf: from $18 for 9 holes. See golf course.
- Boat rentals: $12 to $20 an hour.
When to Go
Summer is the park's peak: the beach, boat rentals and camp store all run only then, and so does the vehicle fee. After Labor Day the fee ends, the campgrounds stay open into October, and the hardwoods around the lakes turn colour.
Hours & Fees FAQ
What time does Green Lakes State Park open?
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, year round.
How much does it cost to get into Green Lakes?
$10 per vehicle ($35 per bus) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. There is no vehicle fee the rest of the year.
Is Green Lakes State Park free?
Off season, yes: NYS Parks lists no vehicle fee outside the summer season. In summer it is $10 per car from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Does the Empire Pass work at Green Lakes?
Yes. The $80 Empire Pass gives unlimited day-use vehicle entry at most state parks, including Green Lakes.