Pastimes

Even if you like the heat, you have to admit the recent heat wave has been a bit much. So if you are looking for a place to cool off, take a drive over to Canopus Lake in Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A large sandy beach and swimming area with a beautiful backdrop await you.

As mentioned in last week’s article, Clarence Fahnestock State Park is a huge tract of parkland in the northwest quadrant of Putnam County. Miles of hiking paths, horse and bike trails, lakes and camping spots make for a wonderful outdoor playground.

To get to the lake from the downtown Carmel area, head west on Route 301 for 10.4 miles. A short distance past the intersection with the Taconic Parkway, make a right at the Canopus Lake entrance. There is a $7 per car parking fee as you pass through the gate. About .30 miles past the gate there is a large parking area for the beach.

From the parking area, head down the walkway that leads through the center of the beach-house building. The sign across the entrance says “Fahnestock Beach.” Once through the gate, stay to the left and a long, wide concrete path will take you down a hill to the beach.

The path will open up to a wide, flat, sandy beach. There were lots of people on the beach, but it was not too crowded. We were there on a weekday, but I would imagine it could get pretty busy on the weekend.

The sand was nice for a mountain lake beach. Canopus Lake is a carryin/ carry-out facility, and there was a supply of garbage bags near the back of the beach. The sand was pretty clean, but my youngest still managed to find a cigarette butt and some old grapes a previous visitor had buried.

The water was pretty clear, and just the right temperature – not so warm that the weeds and algae take over, but not so cold that your heart skips a beat when you jump in. I can’t say I am a big fan of putting my feet in the muck and decomposing leaves that usually make up a lake bottom, but at Canopus the lake bottom is sandy under most of the enclosed swimming area.

Canopus Lake is perfect for cooling off after a hike on one of the many trails in the park. It is also nice as a day-trip if you just want to spend a few hours relaxing lakeside. Of course, I realize there really is no such thing as relaxing when you have your kids or grandkids running around, but you can still try.

The beach house has a concession stand (that wasn’t open when we where there), restrooms and a locker room with showers and changing area. My wife and daughter said the ladies restrooms were not the cleanest.

Lifeguards are on duty 10am to 6pm every day in the summer. Pets are allowed in the park but not on the beach so you might want to leave Rover at home for this adventure. For more info call the park office at 845-225- 7207 or visit nysparks.state.ny.us.

Steven Mattson has been a resident of Brewster for over 10 years. He is on the board of the Putnam County Land Trust, and is currently writing a book about family-oriented things to do in and around Putnam County. He can be reached at stvnmattson@yahoo.com.