One of the wonderful things about
our Lake Ontario cottage rentals is that they are close to some beautiful
beaches. Basking on the beaches of Lake Ontario is like being at the ocean
without the salt. The sand is fine (like Bermuda sand, just not pink) and
perfect for making sand castles or sculptures. No giant seaweed, no water
critters and no salt. The perfect spot for enjoying a day in the sun.
Sandy Island Beach
is part of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area, a 17-mile
stretch of shoreline
which extends from the Town of Richland, Oswego County, north along Lake Ontario
to Jefferson County. The area is the only significant freshwater dune site
in the northeastern United States. Beach services include concession
stand, changing areas, bathroom facilities, certified lifeguards, emergency
telephone, first aid. This beach is 5 miles south of the cottages
Sandy Pond Beach a.k.a. Boaters
Beach is across the pond from our Lake Ontario cottage rentals and only
accessible by boat. It is a stretch of land with a huge sand dune
that lies between Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario . There
are no facilities and no life guard. The beach is relatively private with
a portion of it owned by the Nature Conservancy. To protect the dunes the
Nature Conservancy erected a board walk that can be used to walk over the dunes
from the pond side to the lake side. They have also planted protective
grasses to prevent erosion of the sand dunes. In addition, a portion of the land
has been set-aside as a bird sanctuary. The water on the Sandy Pond side
gets deep quickly and many people use it as a starting point for water skiing.
The lake bottom on the Lake Ontario side gently slopes making for gradual water
depth, which is great for swimming. Sandy Pond Beach is one of the true
gems of the world.
Southwick Beach State Park,
also on Lake Ontario, is spacious and popular, known for outstanding
swimming and sunning on its long sandy beach. The park is adjacent to the
Lakeview Wildlife Management Area, home to the environmentally-sensitive coastal
sand dunes. The park has a children's playground, hiking trails, food, picnic
tables, and showers. The park's nature and hiking trails adjoin the
wildlife management area and its trail system, which visitors are encouraged to
use. This beach is 9 miles north of the cottages
Westcott Beach State Park on
Lake Ontario, with rolling, wooded hills and open, grassy meadows sheltered by
Henderson Bay. The park has a children's playground, picnic areas and
hiking trails food, picnic tables, pavilions and showers. This beach is 12
miles north of the cottages.
|