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Finger Lakes
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Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, western New York
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Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, western New York
Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, western New York

Finger Lakes

lakes, New York, United States
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•History

News •

World Atlas names 9 of the most scenic towns in New York's Finger Lakes • Nov. 6, 2026, 9:27 AM ET (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
New York fall foliage report: Which regions still have peak colors? • Oct. 29, 2026, 11:19 AM ET (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Fall foliage in New York: See where colors will peak this weekend • Oct. 15, 2026, 10:03 AM ET (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Finger Lakes, group of narrow, glacial lakes in west-central New York state, U.S. They lie in north-south valleys between the vicinity of Syracuse (east) and Geneseo (west). The region, which embraces more than a dozen state parks, is noted for its scenery, many resorts, fruits (especially grapes), and vegetables. It comprises part of the Oswego River watershed of the Lake Ontario drainage system. The primary lakes from west to east are Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco; four others to the west (Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, and Honeoye) also are sometimes included as part of the Finger Lakes. The main lakes vary in length from 6 miles (10 km) to 40 miles (64 km) and are up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide. Seneca Lake is the largest (67 square miles [174 square km]) and deepest.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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