Veterans Memorial Park at Gillie Lake - Camillus, NY
Veterans Memorial Park at Gillie Lake in Camillus, NY, is a charming dog park and recreational area perfect for pet owners seeking a scenic and pet-friendly environment. This park offers a wheelchair accessible entrance and a variety of amenities including picnic tables, public restrooms, playground equipment like slides and swings, and even a volleyball court, making it an ideal spot for families and dog owners alike. The park’s sandy beach and beautiful lake setting provide a wonderful backdrop for dog-friendly hiking and outdoor fun.
What makes this dog park in Camillus unique is its welcoming atmosphere where visitors can bring coolers, beach toys, and enjoy a picnic while their dogs explore the pet-friendly trails and open spaces. The park also features a pavilion with BBQ capabilities available by reservation, perfect for gatherings with your furry friends. While there is a small entrance fee, the ability to come and go throughout the day adds great value. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or an active day out with your dog, Veterans Memorial Park at Gillie Lake offers a well-maintained, pet-friendly destination in the heart of Camillus.
FAQ for Veterans Memorial Park at Gillie Lake in Camillus New York:
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible entrance.
- Are there restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms available at the park, including a bathhouse and porta potties near the pavilion.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and features playground equipment including slides and swings.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, there is an entry fee: $3 for adults and $2 for kids.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available right by the pavilion and beach front entrance, with additional parking on the grass on the opposite side of the lake.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, picnics are welcome and the pavilion can be reserved which comes with BBQ capabilities. The park allows coolers, folding chairs, beach blankets, and toys.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the park is described as very quiet and maintained, though it operates as a trash in/trash out facility (no trash cans on site).
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, there is a lake with a beach area where swimming may be allowed during staffed lifeguard hours, and kayaking is also permitted.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are picnic tables especially under a large gazebo and near the pavilion.
Reviews
Very quiet maintained park. Excellent place to just sit and enjoy your solitude.
This is a small lake in Camillus NY. At the time of my visit swimming was not allowed as the life guard stations were unoccupied, I believe the closure also may have had something to do with an alleged algae bloom. Neither did anything to deter the swimmers from enjoying the water. The beach was large and sandy and many children had been busy making sand sculptures. There isa very large Gazebo standing on a concrete floor with loads of picnic tables and two large hibachi style charcoal grills. There also is a fairly small parking area on one side of the park ( the beach front entrance ) and there is parking allowed on the grass on the opposite side of the lake and there are several picnic tables here and there. As for the gazebo, I believe if you want to make arrangements for a family gathering you may contact the Gilly lake officials to reserve it. I would recommend this sorta secret getaway. Look it up, go there and enjoy your day away from the ratrace. ⭐⭐⭐⭐This is a place with no trash cans so,… It is a take out what you carry in park. (A good rule in my humble opinion). I think it might be a park you may have to pay to enter, I’m not sure if and what that fee is as I went in on an odd day and no one in any official capacity was anywhere to be found.
We frequent here often in the summer and it’s a wonderful little Gem ticked away that not too many people are aware is there. The beach is lovely with lots of sand, and the scenery here is beautiful.I LOVE that you can bring a cooler for a picnic lunch, folding chairs, beach blankets, and even sand/beach toys without issue. So many other public places I have been to this year do not allow food or drink on the beaches, nor do they allow any kind of toys. However having these luxuries here at Gillie Lake makes for a genuinely fun and well used portion of the day for the family.There is a fee, NULL for adults, NULL kids but it’s well worth it, given you can come in and out all day between 11am & 6pm.The ONLY downfall is that the bathhouse, which houses restrooms & showers is quite a distance from the beach, and it is not easily accessible for people with mobility issues as the path is very small and hilly. They really should have 1 or 2 handicapped accessible blue bowls closer to the beach.
My brother and soon to be sister in law had their engagement party here. It was a very cute little venue! This was on a Friday during the day so we were like the only ones there! It was right on the water which was beautiful! Had swimming and playground for the kids! Parking right by the pavilion. Not sure about the bathroomsituation on the opposite side ( where the pool house is) but they had multiple extremely clean porter potty’s close enough to the pavilion. They must of just been dropped off or something as they looked brand new. 10/10 would recommend.It is trash in/trash out so plan accordingly.requires reservation to use pavilion which comes with bbq capabilities.
Wonderful recreation area. I’ve grilled out here in their grilla and spent time on the beach too. They allow you to kayak as well. Lap around the pond is .5 mile. Porta Potties on sight once the season is open.