1 hour guided trail rides through the forest, weather permitting.

The Onondaga Lake Skatepark will open for special night sessions this summer. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, June 27 - Skateboard and In-line users - 8-11pm

Saturday, June 28 - BMX users - 8-11pm

Friday, July 18 - BMX users - 8-11pm

Saturday, July 19 - Skateboard and In-line users - 8-11pm

Friday, August 15 - Skateboard and In-line users - 8-11pm

Saturday, August 16 - BMX users - 8-11pm

Friday, September 5 - BMX users - 7-10pm

Saturday, September 6 - Skateboard and In-line users - 7-10pm

These night skates are open to all registered users ages 11 and over. Advance sale admission tickets are available at the Griffin Visitor Center. Season and monthly pass holders must purchase a ticket for these particular sessions, and all participants must have a waiver on file at Onondaga Lake Park.

Celebrate one of the most glorious seasons in Central New York. Highlights of the event include an arts & crafts show featuring over 100 specially selected craftspeople, nationally known, blues, folk & jazz musicians, puppet & magic shows, storytelling, and a petting zoo. Local groups sell seasonal foods like fresh pie and homemade cider, along with barbecued chicken, ribs, corn on the cob and more. Parking is free.

Saturday, 10am-6pm

Sunday, 10am-5pm

The BMX ShredFest is a competition open to all registered BMX users of the skatepark.  Riders will compete against each other in two different skill levels consisting of intermediate and expert.  Competitors will be judged based on creativity, originality, degree of difficulty and overall use of the skatepark.  Prizes will be awarded in each skill level.  The skatepark will be closed to regular business throughout the course of the competition.  

The Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake present the Salt Boilers Ball.  Celebrate the salt industry and the Salt Museum's 75th anniversary! This great fundraiser will feature dinner, cash bar, silent auction, costume contests and more!  Music provided by The Salt Boilers Band featuring Harvey Neusbaum.  Purchase tickets at the Salt Museum or by calling 457-2460.  All proceeds will go to the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake who provide quality historical programs at the Salt Museum and operate Ste. Marie among the Iroquois Living History Center.

The event takes place at the

LeMoyne Manor Inn & Conference Center
629 Old Liverpool Road
Liverpool, NY 13088

Tickets are available at the Salt Museum and over the phone at 457-2460. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake.

This annual event showcases the zoo’s enrichment program, which provides stimulating environments for the zoo’s animals in order for them to demonstrate natural behavior and enhance their well-being.

Watch the animals play with their enrichment toys and discover the importance of training that occurs daily at the zoo. Observe as animals forage for food and work through complex puzzles for an edible reward. Laugh as novel items placed in the animals’ exhibit bring out their natural – and often comical – behaviors.

Schedule of enrichment activities:

10:00 a.m. - Frozen Fun - Sheep, goats, ponies and donkeys
10:00 a.m. - Undercover Insects - Himalayan Monal Pheasants
10:30 a.m. - Papered Prey - Lions11:00 a.m. - Creature Coaching - Raptors Bird Show Yard
11:10 a.m. - Search! an activity for humans - Bird Show Yard
11:30 a.m. - Papered Prey - Tigers
12:00 p.m. - Feeding Frenzy - Penguins
12:30 p.m. - Jiminy Crickets or The Nose Knows- Ocelots
1:00 p.m. - Frozen Fun - Spectacled bears
1:00 p.m. - Creature Coaching/Weight Watchers - Elephants
1:30 p.m. - Creature Coaching - Parrots Bird Show Yard
1:30 p.m. - Creature Coaching - Raptors Bird Show Yard
2:00 p.m. - Sheet hammock - Siamangs
2:30 p.m. - Hangin’ Around - Egyptian fruit bats
3:00 p.m. - Creature Coaching - Lemurs
3:00 p.m. - The Nose Knows - Turkey vultures
3:00 p.m. - Watermelon Stampede - Elephants

Touch tables and enrichment stations will be located throughout the zoo.

Enjoy autumn's glow with a naturalist on an early evening paddle around Beaver Lake. We'll beach on an isolated point to enjoy the sunset while snacking on cheese, crackers and cider. Participants may bring their own canoe.

Renaissance reenactors, Roman Gladiators, Civil War reenactment, & Revolutionary War, War of 1812, silversmithing, crafts, Native American singing and dancing, a Classic Car Show,food, Funnel Cakes and crafts, many displays, music, and activities for children.

There will be a parade to kickoff the festival on Saturday at 11:00AM, led by the Syracuse Pipers Bag Pipe Band            

These rides are geared to the mountain biker who has some fitness and general skills. They are not for beginners. Rides generally last 3-4 hours but participants can stop at any time.

Join members of the Central New Yoek Mycological Society on a search through Beaver Lake's woodlands for various species of mushrooms. Close examination of the special finds will follow.

Good books, good people, and good conversation; what could be a better way to spend an afternoon?  Join us for our monthly book discussion.  The selected books are available at the local library.

September 17 – Red Tails in Love by M. Winn
October 21 – Into the Wild by J. Krakauer
November 19 – Reason for Hope by J. Goodall

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall. Saturdays, September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

This event held at Dinosaur Bar B Que in Syracuse. Free to attend. All ages welcome.

Join a Beaver Lake Naturalist to learn more on a Natural History subject. 

September 23    Fruits & Nuts
September 30    Trees With Leaves
October 7          Fall Waterfowl Migration
October 14        Beavers & Their Relatives
October 21        Fungus
October 28        Nests & Their Builders
November 11     Twig Identification
November 18     White-tailed Deer
November 25     Vines & Brambles
December 2       Backyard Feeder Birds

During this family nature walk, you'll spot signs of the season at the Nature Center and learn about the  season when leaves reveal their true colors, the air is crisp and nature prepares for winter.

Created as a tribute to National Hunting and Fishing Day, this annual festival is a terrific opportunity for all ages to try their hand at a variety of outdoor pursuits, including skeet shooting, waterfowl identification, axe/knife throwing, turkey calling, archery, 3-D laser big game hunting, crossbow, BB gun, fly fishing, jig tying, canoeing, muzzle loading, Conservation Officers, Forest Rangers and Smokey Bear, woodsmen demonstrations, local wildlife artists and authors and trout fishing.

Activities are specially designed to give even children a chance to try these sports -- perhaps for the first time. Sportsmen's Days at Carpenters Brook is one of the largest celebrations of National Hunting and Fishing Day in New York State with family attendance expected at well over 6,000. The day of the event admission is just $5.00 per family (car) and covers all hands-on activities.


The event will be family focused - giving everyone – even children a chance to experience outdoor sports.

During both workshops local jewelry maker Jonna Weaver will teach participants how to create different bead designs and shapes. The morning session is for new participants, and the afternoon session is for individuals who have already taken one of Ms. Weaver’s courses. Materials included.

Beginners 9:30am-12noon

Advanced 12:30-3pm

Day trip to Genesee Country Village and Museum, the largest living history museum in New York, and one of the largest in the nation. Price includes transportation and admission.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. Here's an opportunity for 3-5 year olds accompanied by an adult to do both. A naturalist will read stories to the children and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

This trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect fall outing. The crisp autumn air will be filled with the honking of thousands of geese. White-tailed deer, herons and bald eagles are the other possible sightings. We will view the birds from Beaver Lake's Van on the auto tour.

Don't miss the migratory waterfowl and other migratory birds as they stop by the Nature Center on their way to their winter residence. Bring binoculars or check out a pair of ours.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  Saturdays, September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

During this family nature walk, you'll spot signs of the season at the Nature Center and learn about the season when leaves reveal their true colors, the air is crisp and nature prepares for winter.

The Upstate Herpetological Association UHA will host this one-day exhibition. UHA members will display a wide variety of animals and can answer your questions about reptiles, amphibians and their care.

Mission Wolf of Silver Cliff, Colorado has evolved from a very remote sanctuary for wolves and wolf-dog hybrids, into a leading nationwide force supporting wolf education and captive wolf welfare. One or two live ambassador timber wolves will provide the finale. Seating is limited.

In addition to the 3 pm show, there will be a special showing at 6 :00 p.m. where only 50 seats will be sold.  This show will give the viewers an upclose encounter with the wolves as well as the opportunity to meet with Kent Weber at a reception after the event.  The price is $50.

With the arrival of fall, the trees will be bursting with brilliant colors. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, sausage and beverage (regular pancakes are also available.)

3 pancakes - $4.50

2 pancakes - $3.50

1 pancake - $2.50

Includes sausage, juice or coffee

A holiday should be packed with fun! At 12:30 & 3pm, naturalists will host live animal talks and at 1:30pm you can participate in a guided walk on migration and whatever else the season offers. Plan to spend some time on your own walking Beaver Lake's trails while they are decked out in fall colors.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

The great Zoo Boo will take place at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park on October 17, 18, 24 & 25 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The zoo will be transformed into a bustling Halloween bash with hauntingly hilarious interactive characters and sets for children and families to enjoy. Its “kooky not spooky” theme provides families with Halloween fun without the fear!

Coordinated by Scarlett Rat Entertainment, families will have fantastic fun with interactive characters like Franki and Wolfie. They are also able to explore the Wizard's Walkway and a hay bale maze, visit Zoo Boo’s Creepy Corners Crew and play in Scarecrow Alley!   All of the four Zoo Boo evenings hold tons of fun in store and children receive a goodie as they exit the zoo!

Children and adults can participate in the pumpkin carving fun and enter the Zoo Boo carved pumpkin contest, which will take place on the Saturday evenings of Zoo Boo!

Families bring their already carved pumpkins to the zoo at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 and 25 and a Zoo Boo character will choose one child and one adult winner with the best carved pumpkin. The winners receive a fun Zoo Boo prize, a special treat and will even lead the Pumpkin Procession at the start of Zoo Boo! All pumpkins entered in the contest remain on display for all to enjoy.

Tickets are available at the Zoo's membership desk and participating P&C locations.  Advance sale member discounts are only available at the Zoo and must be purchased during regular Zoo hours, prior to

the event.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Beaver Lake and the Onondaga Woodcarvers Club bring together this area’s finest wood carving talents for an annual offering of their best works.

Good books, good people, and good conversation; what could be a better way to spend an afternoon?  Join us for our monthly book discussion.  The selected books are available at the local library. 

October 21 – Into the Wild by J. Krakauer
November 19 – Reason for Hope by J. Goodall

Experience the enchantment of Beaver Lake like never before! Where over four hundred jack-o-lanterns and luminaria light your way along two trails as you venture through the darkness.  Everything is magical and nothing is scary.  Face painting, fortune telling, and treats will also be part of this special night.Hotdogs, donuts and cider will be available to purchase.

Please call if you are interested in helping to carve pumpkins or if you would like to donate a jack-o-lantern.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Orienteering program for all skills levels and age groups.

Onondaga County Parks and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo are pleased to offer FREE admission to all active military, veterans and their families as part of Onondaga County’s observance of Veterans Day.

Please present military or veteran organization ID cards or military discharge documents or wear your uniform for verification for complimentary Veterans Day access to the Zoo.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Invite holiday guests and Christmas cheer through your front door with your handmade evergreen wreath. Just smelling the fresh boughs will put you in the proper spirit! The price includes boughs, wire and a bow.

November 17, 18, 20 & 25 - 6pm

November 22 - 1pm

November 24-9am

Good books, good people, and good conversation; what could be a better way to spend an afternoon?  Join us for our monthly book discussion.  The selected books are available at the local library.

November 19 – Reason for Hope by J. Goodall

Orienteering program for all skill levels and age groups. Prizes awarded.

A two mile long drive through light extravaganza featuring life-size displays, themed sections and a memorable grand finale.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

For busy parents looking for a safe place to bring their children the day after Thanksgiving, Wild Friday is the perfect solution. This new program offers kids an opportunity to get out of the house, tour the zoo, see animals up close, play games and make awesome crafts.

Once again the museum will be filled with the magnificent collection of international Santa's while fully decorated trees will add to the holiday atmosphere celebrating the traditions of the season in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia and more. The program will feature nightly holiday entertainment and hot beverages available with the mission site open weather permitting.

Spend the evening creating this beautiful balsam, kissing ball, accented with red ribbon and bow. A wonderful addition to your holiday decorating.

The old-fashioned Christmas tree is back in style with its wonderfully diverse assortment of handmade and hand-me-down ornaments. Join us to make your own ornaments utilizing natural materials or motifs.

Come and enjoy a buffet meal with the jolly ole' elf. Share last minute holiday wishes with Santa and see the Zoo! Children will also be able to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus.

Breakfast 10-11am

Lunch 12:30-1:30pm