Event list
Songs of Fire and Ice
January 15
Join CNY folk singers and Beaver Lake naturalists for a winter hike and sing-along in the snow followed by a cozy evening in front of the fireplace. Learn to sing traditional songs of the season for both wandering the woods and enjoying the fireside, plus discover all the magic of Beaver Lake in winter by lantern light! After a chilly outdoor adven ...
Trail Tales
January 16
Join a naturalist for a nature story and song before heading out on a special hike. This program is for children ages 3 , accompanied by an adult.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center
Friday Fire Talks
January 17
thru January 31
Stop by the outdoor fire pit to learn something new from a naturalist! Information on tracks we can see in winter, interesting animal pelts, snowflake formation, and more will be covered. Come with questions and spend some time warming up by the fire.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
The Great "Gingerbread" House Competition
January 18
Get your construction skills on at Beaver Lake! You will be supplied with milk cartons and cardboard for your base, and lots of wildlife-friendly decorations like seeds, acorns, fruit, and more! Participants will get 1 hour to construct their houses, then judging will take place. There are two judging categories: Apprentice (ages 12 and under) and ...
Sharing Nature with Your Child: Super Seeds
January 22
Discover Beaver Lake through the eyes of your preschooler! Each session brings a new opportunity for discovery through nature hikes, games, and crafts. Children ages 3-5 years old, accompanied by an adult. During this session, we'll learn all about how super seeds are! We’ll explore the life cycle of a plant and the importance of seeds and ...
Friday Fire Talks
January 24
thru January 31
Stop by the outdoor fire pit to learn something new from a naturalist! Information on tracks we can see in winter, interesting animal pelts, snowflake formation, and more will be covered. Come with questions and spend some time warming up by the fire.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Writing the Natural World
January 26
What do you see, hear, and imagine as you walk the trails at Beaver Lake? Practice putting your wonder at the natural world into words on the page. Bring pen, paper, and memories of your time on the trails and learn to write about them.Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember; park admission fee ($5/vehicle) applies.
REGISTER NOW!
Beaver Lake Photography Club
January 27
Do you have a love of photography and Beaver Lake? Consider joining our very own photography club! The club meets monthly on the 4th Monday at 6 PM for educational presentations, photo sharing, and socializing. The club also plans member-only photography field trips throughout the year. All are welcome to join! If you are curious about the c ...
Winter Garden Tour
January 27
Tour the visitor center gardens with us this winter! Discover what (or who) is hiding away under the snow, how wildlife uses the gardens in the winter, and how to enjoy your garden even when it is frosty and cold outside.Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember; park admission ($5/vehicle) still applies
REGISTER NOW!
Winter Tree ID
January 27
The leaves on the trees may be gone, but did you know that you can still identify a tree by examining bare branches? We’ll start indoors looking at twig samples and a short lesson on winter twig ID, then embark on a short hike to examine a few trees outdoors.Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember, park admission ($5/vehicle) still applies
Trail Tales
January 30
Join a naturalist for a nature story and song before heading out on a special hike. This program is for children ages 3 , accompanied by an adult.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center
Friday Fire Talks
January 31
Stop by the outdoor fire pit to learn something new from a naturalist! Information on tracks we can see in winter, interesting animal pelts, snowflake formation, and more will be covered. Come with questions and spend some time warming up by the fire.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene: Art Workshop
February 1
Drop in anytime during this workshop to be part of a large-scale civic engagement art project comprised of over 10,000 bird replicas. Participants will be led through the crafting process to create a replica of a bird that died in 2023 from window collisions along Chicago’s lakefront using donated fabric scraps that would otherwise end up in the ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
February 4
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Sharing Nature with Your Child: Winter Critters
February 5
Discover Beaver Lake through the eyes of your preschooler! Each session brings a new opportunity for discovery through nature hikes, games, and crafts. Children ages 3-5 years old, accompanied by an adult. Let’s learn about animals in the winter! We’ll discover which animals are active all winter and which ones are not (and how they surv ...
Homeschool Days: Trotting through the Trees
February 6
Join a Beaver Lake educator once a month for a program designed to supplement science and natural history homeschool education through fun and interactive outdoor experiences. Geared towards children aged 7-12.Join a naturalist for a hike under the tall canopies around Beaver Lake! Come and learn about the important role that trees play in t ...
Owl Night Long
February 7
Snowshoe or hike into Beaver Lake’s forest at dusk in search of the elusive owl. On our way we’ll learn about the different types of owls in our area and what makes them such fascinating raptors. Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember, park admission ($5/vehicle) still applies
REGISTER NOW!
Tea Time!
February 7
It’s a chilly winter, so warm up at Beaver Lake! Learn about edible plants along the Hemlock Hollow and Bog Trails (1.0 miles), then enjoy a nice cup of tea!Free with park admission ($5/vehicle) but registration is required.
Meet at the Visitor Center
REGISTER NOW!
Beaver Lake Coffeehouse
February 8
Doors Open: 6:30 PM | Music Begins: 7 PMEnjoy a Saturday evening of great acoustic music, good company, hot coffee, and decadent desserts! Beaver Lake Nature Center presents Loren Barrigar with LJ Barrigar on February 8. The father and son duo of Loren & LJ Barrigar bring their fingerstyle guitar wizardry and Nashville picking together for a ...
Block Printing
February 8
Learn to make prints using simple supplies! Create a cute design, then transfer it onto paper. All supplies are provided; just bring a good attitude and a creative mind! This program is geared toward children ages 6-12 years old.Registration: $6/child-member; $7/child-nonmemberPark admission fee ($5/vehicle) still applies
REGISTER NOW!
Cupid's Chase 5K
February 8
Community Options, Inc. invites runners, walkers, rollers (baby strollers and wheelchairs), and sponsors to raise funds that make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities at our annual Cupid’s Chase 5K. Register early to secure your early bird discount and guarantee your Cupid’s Chase shirt!All attendees will be given the opportuni ...
Nature Book Club
February 8
If you love reading and nature, we have got the perfect book club for you! We will read a curated selection of nonfiction titles and meet for a friendly discussion on each. In February we will read and discuss The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer, renowned author and faculty member at SUNY ESF.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). Book c ...
Super Couch Potato 5K
February 9
The15th Annual Super Couch Potato 5K returns to Onondaga Lake Parkway on February9th! Pre-game the Big Game on the flattest course in town with 500 of thefastest football fanatics Syracuse has to offer. Whether or not your team makesit to New Orleans, you can win big with our raffle prizes and warm up with homemadesoup at The Cobblestone. Meet pre- ...
Trail Tales
February 13
Join a naturalist for a nature story and song before heading out on a special hike. This program is for children ages 3 , accompanied by an adult.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center
Nature's Valentines
February 14
Learn to make prints using simple supplies! Create a cute design, then transfer it onto paper. All supplies are provided; just bring a good attitude and a creative mind! This program is geared toward children ages 6-12 years old.Registration: $6/child-member; $7/child-nonmemberPark admission fee ($5/vehicle) still applies
REGISTER NOW!
Winter Nature Camp
February 17
thru February 21
Join us for a week of fun in the snow with Beaver Lake’s naturalists! Your 1st through 4th grader will learn how to snowshoe, create incredible snow sculptures, and more during this Winter Nature Camp. Don’t worry, even if there isn’t much snow, we have lots of back up plans for exploring nature!Registration: $30/Day-Member; $35/Day-No ...
Winter Nature Camp
February 18
thru February 21
Join us for a week of fun in the snow with Beaver Lake’s naturalists! Your 1st through 4th grader will learn how to snowshoe, create incredible snow sculptures, and more during this Winter Nature Camp. Don’t worry, even if there isn’t much snow, we have lots of back up plans for exploring nature!Registration: $30/Day-Member; $35/Day-No ...
Winter Nature Camp
February 19
thru February 21
Join us for a week of fun in the snow with Beaver Lake’s naturalists! Your 1st through 4th grader will learn how to snowshoe, create incredible snow sculptures, and more during this Winter Nature Camp. Don’t worry, even if there isn’t much snow, we have lots of back up plans for exploring nature!Registration: $30/Day-Member; $35/Day-No ...
Winter Nature Camp
February 20
thru February 21
Join us for a week of fun in the snow with Beaver Lake’s naturalists! Your 1st through 4th grader will learn how to snowshoe, create incredible snow sculptures, and more during this Winter Nature Camp. Don’t worry, even if there isn’t much snow, we have lots of back up plans for exploring nature!Registration: $30/Day-Member; $35/Day-No ...
Winter Nature Camp
February 21
Join us for a week of fun in the snow with Beaver Lake’s naturalists! Your 1st through 4th grader will learn how to snowshoe, create incredible snow sculptures, and more during this Winter Nature Camp. Don’t worry, even if there isn’t much snow, we have lots of back up plans for exploring nature!Registration: $30/Day-Member; $35/Day-No ...
Writing the Natural World
February 23
What do you see, hear, and imagine as you walk the trails at Beaver Lake? Practice putting your wonder at the natural world into words on the page. Bring pen, paper, and memories of your time on the trails and learn to write about them.Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember; park admission fee ($5/vehicle) still applies
REGISTER NOW!
Beaver Lake Photography Club
February 24
Do you have a love of photography and Beaver Lake? Consider joining our very own photography club! The club meets monthly on the 4th Monday at 6 PM for educational presentations, photo sharing, and socializing. The club also plans member-only photography field trips throughout the year. All are welcome to join! If you are curious about the c ...
Skull ID
February 24
Winter is a great time to find bones and skulls from animals. Take a quick identification course on some commonly found skulls at Beaver Lake. We’ll start indoors with a look at the Nature Center’s skull collection before heading out on the trails in search of animal signs. Registration: $2/Member; $3/Nonmember, park admission ($5/vehicl ...
Sharing Nature with Your Child: Winter Bird Watching
February 26
Discover Beaver Lake through the eyes of your preschooler! Each session brings a new opportunity for discovery through nature hikes, games, and crafts. Children ages 3-5 years old, accompanied by an adult. Let’s go winter birdwatching! We will discover which birds we can see at Beaver Lake and do a fun craft before heading out on a hike to ...
Winter Stargazing, Stories, and Song
February 26
Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky while learning the basics of stargazing, including how to find and identify various stars, planets, and constellations. The stargazing will be paired with stories and songs of the night sky. Registration: $6/Member; $7/Nonmember, park admission included
REGISTER NOW!
Trail Tales
February 27
Join a naturalist for a nature story and song before heading out on a special hike. This program is for children ages 3 , accompanied by an adult.Free with park admission ($5/vehicle). No registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
March 4
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Irish Road Bowling
March 16
Faugh A Ballagh! Clear the way for another great year of Irish Road Bowling! Onondaga Lake Park and The Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake are proud to announce that Irish Road Bowling is back in 2025 for it's 15th year! This year's program will begin at 10am on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Saw Mill Creek shelter in the Willow Bay picnic area of On ...
Beaver Lake Photography Club
March 24
Do you have a love of photography and Beaver Lake? Consider joining our very own photography club! The club meets monthly on the 4th Monday at 6 PM for educational presentations, photo sharing, and socializing. The club also plans member-only photography field trips throughout the year. All are welcome to join! If you are curious about the c ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
April 1
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Zoo Run Run
April 6
Get out and get moving on behalf of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo with our annual Zoo Run Run! Walk or run – all levels are welcome. Build your team and support the zoo’s mission.Here’s a chance for everyone to join in and be part of the action virtually through the winter and spring -- and in-person at the zoo on April 6. Participants w ...
Empowered 5K Walk/Run
April 26
The Empowered 5K Walk/Run will take place on April 26, 2025 at Long Branch Park. The 5K will be fundraising to support Empower Parkinson Inc, a local organization that hosts events for members in the community who are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It will be a flat out-and-back course to total 3.1 miles. This is the second annual race to bene ...
Walk MS - Syracuse
April 27
Experience the power of the MS Movement. Centered around the theme of Circles of Support, the Walk MS® experience emphasizes the people and organizations that help improve a person’s life with MS. At the same time, we move together toward a world free of MS. Everyone at Walk MS plays a powerful role in the MS community, whether you live with MS ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
May 6
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Camp Brockway Open House
May 7
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Syracuse Great Strides
May 18
Join the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for a day of celebration, community and fun! Unite to bring hope and joy to those affected by CF and work towards a future where everyone can breathe easier. Great Strides Syracuse is a two mile walk that takes place at the Willow Bay Shelter at Onondaga Lake Park.
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
June 3
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Camp Brockway Open House
June 4
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
July 1
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Camp Brockway Open House
July 2
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
August 5
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Camp Brockway Open House
August 6
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
September 2
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Camp Brockway Open House
September 3
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Camp Brockway Open House
October 1
Learn more about Camp Brockway during an Open House! Camp Brockway will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Wednesdays, May 7; June 4; July 2; August 6; September 3 & October 1 • 4:30-6:30pm. Dates/Times subject to change.Reservations are not necessary. Customers with and without ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
October 7
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
November 4
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...
Arrowhead Lodge Open House
December 2
Learn more about Arrowhead Lodge during an Open House! Arrowhead Lodge will be open to visit, and staff will be on hand to answer questions, on the following dates in 2025:Tuesdays, January 7; February 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3; July 1; August 5; September 2; October 7; November 4; December 2 • 4:00pm-6:00pm. Dates/times subject to chang ...