All summer long enthusiastic fisherman troll the lake for perch, catfish, muskie, walleye, small & large mouth bass, northern pike, blue gill, crappies and sunnnies. 

The Annual Harvest Festival signals the end of another summer season which reminds us that the fall foliage season is just around the corner.  When the National Weather Service reports on Lake Erie's lake effect snowfall, those folks are talking about the weather in Findley Lake.   The average snowfall is more than 200 inches per year which makes Findley Lake's winter vistas breathtaking.  This is the perfect destination for downhill and cross country ski enthusiasts, as well as snowmobilers and ice fisherman.  If your idea of winter is staying warm inside, curl up  & relax over a stack of magazines, leather-bound classics or one of the many available board games.

Browse the charming, downtown shops and you'll see why Findley Lake has become Chautauqua County's premier, year-round shopping destination.  Twenty independently -owned and operated specialty shops offer an eclectic assortment of Nature, Country and Victorian gifts, as well as antiques, furnishings and hand -crafted treasures for the home and garden.  There's a candle-making factory, a working waterwheel and a WWII Museum for history buffs of all ages.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Lake or venture out onto the water for a day of fishing, birding or water-sports.  Plan an outing to the many area wineries and antique shops.  If you're looking for a little more action, head over to Peek 'n Peak for a day of golf or to nearby Chautauqua Institution for a day filled with informative speakers and perhaps an opera, symphony or popular music performance.

Chautauqua County, New York is home to a wealth of antique shops, vineyards, wineries, farm markets, galleries & historic sites.  For the more adventurous there's biking & hiking trails, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides and a brand new state of the art ice skating arena.

• Peek 'n Peak Resort is only minutes away from downtown Findley Lake.  The area's premier ski/golf destination also boasts some of the finest resort accommodations & amenities.  Peek 'n Peak welcomes the PGA National Tour to our corner of Chautauqua County during the annual Lake Erie Charity Classic, scheduled for June, 2003.

• Chautauqua Institution is a world-renowned cultural center for the arts & humanities, and is the home of popular and classical entertainment, classes, lectures and a wonderful collection of restored Victorian architecture.

• Lake Erie Wine Trail - with 12 member wineries centered along the Lake Erie shoreline, the Wine Trail is home to the largest grape growing region in the East.

• Lily Dale Assembly - the world's largest spiritual community

• Panama Rocks Scenic Park - The Panama Rocks are reputed to be the world's most extensive outcropping of glacier-sculpted, ocean quartz-conglomerate rock. A one mile hiking trail encircles the formation and leads through towering rocks where enormous tree roots snake down and delicate ferns & mosses abound. Explore hundreds of crevice "alley" passages ways, deep cavernous dens and small caves. The trail can be hiked non-stop in 20 minutes, but most people spend time off-trail exploring in the rock area for hours. A trail map is provided, however, all tours are self-guided.

• Lake Erie Speedway - sanctioned by NASCAR the Speedway will host two NASCAR touring events in addition to being a part of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series

• Nearby Jamestown, New York is the home of the Luci-Desi Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Audubon Nature Center, & Reg Lenna Civic Center, a beautifully-restored 1923 vaudeville theatre.

• The "heartlands" of Chautauqua County offer the Gerry Rodeo, the oldest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi and lush countryside dotted with Amish communities and working dairy farms.

• Faith Haven Stables - nearby trail rides, boarding, indoor arena, lessons & training
  Phone: 814.725.4936

• Double DAB Riding Stable -- nearby trail rides & boarding services

• Lake Country Bike - bike tours & special events, rentals & sales

• Fresh & silk flowers, plants, balloons; daily FTD delivery service to  Findley Lake

• The Lighthouses of Lake Erie

Chautauqua-Allegheny Region
The Foliage Network
Great Blue Heron Music Festival
Brushwood- Nearby rustic camping retreat
Evergreen Outfitters - Kayak Rentals
WNY Ski Conditions - 800.367.9691

Horseback Riding, Biking, Hiking & Boating

• Trail Rides
  
  Join Liz & Greg Sambor, owners of nearby Faith Haven Stables, for a relaxing 1-1/2 hour trail ride around beautiful Eaton Reservoir. Cost: $40.00 per person/maximum 4 per people per session
  

• Bicycle Rentals
  Findley Lake Sporting Goods - 716.769.7737
  
  $18.00 - 8 hours
  $14.00 - 4 hours
  

• Boat Rentals
  Paradise Bay Park Campground - 716.769.7582
  
  Row boats - 12'
  $20.00 - 8 hours
  $ 5.00 - hour
  
  Row boats - 12' with 9.9 HP motor
  $50.00 - 8 hours
  $20.00 - hour
  
  24' pontoon - 11 passenger
  $160.00 - 8 hours
  $90.00 - 3 hours
  $40.00 - hour
  
  Aqua cycles
  $15.00 - hour
  $10.00 - half hour
  
  Findley Lake Marine - 716.769.7192
  
  Pontoon - 11 passenger
  $200.00 - 8 hours
  $60.00 - hour
  

Allegheny State Park
The largest park in the New York State Park system, Allegany State Park offers cabins, camping, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing with 18 trails covering over 35 miles, for four seasons of outdoor fun.
Route 17, exits 18-20
2373 ASP Tr.1, Suite 3 Salamanca, NY  14779
Phone: (716) 354-9121 or (800) 456-2267
Fax: (716) 354-6725

Allison Wells Ney Trail
Part of Rails to Trails System, with over 5 miles gently climbing the Lake Erie Escarpment, offering spectacular vistas of Lake Erie. Parking on Thayer Road & Prospect Station Rd.
Thayer Rd.
Rails to Trails PO Box 151, Mayville, NY 14757
Brocton, NY  14716
Phone: (716) 483-2330

Audubon Nature Center & Sanctuary
A 600-acre wildlife sanctuary with 5 miles of easy hiking trails through fields, woods, and wetlands with observations towers and handicap accessible overlook. Exhibits, bird collection, Roger Tory Peterson, Art Inspirations Exhibit, special events, programs and nature store. One of the venues for the annual Nature Art Festival.
1600 Riverside Rd. Jamestown, NY  14701
Phone: (716) 569-2345
Fax: (716) 569-2765
eMail: jaudubon@netsync.net

Camp Findley
Located on the sunny side of Findley Lake, hiking, cross country skiing and group camping available on 160 acres.
Sunnyside Rd. Findley Lake, NY  14736
Phone: (716) 769-7146
Fax: (716) 769-7398
eMail: cmpfndly@cecomet.net

Chautauqua Gorge
8 miles running north to Gale St., Westfield. Some county lands and private lands. Visitors must have property owner's permission
Hannum Rd. Mayville, NY  14757

College Lodge
Open year round the Main Lodge is perfect for meetings, conferences, banquets, retreats or large family gatherings. Overnight accommodations for groups of 20-90 in separate sleeping lodge. ADA accessible. Low ropes adventure course, x-country ski trails, hiking trails, sand volleyball court. Managed by Fredonia State Auxiliary Services Corp.
Route 380 Brocton, NY  14716
Phone: (716) 673-3417

Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail
Eastern section of the county trail system covering 19 miles from Gerry, north to the Town of Arkwright. Hiking, mountain biking, or cross-country skiing, camping lean-tos. Maps available. No motorized vehicles
28 Mile Creek Rd. Gerry, NY  14740
Phone: (716) 763-7828

Erlandson Overview Park
The 2nd highest elevation in Chautauqua County. 76 acres with a 1 1/2 mile loop trail. Open May 15 to Nov. 1.
Oak Hill Road Frewsburg, NY  14736
Phone: (716) 763-8928

Evergreen Outfitters
Kayaks, Canoes, Camping Gear. The area's only outfitters, our experienced staff will lead you to adventure on the beautiful woods and waters of Chautauqua County.
4845 Rte. 474 Ashville, NY  14787
Phone: (716) 763-2266

Fred Cusimano Overland Trail
Western section of county trail system covering over 24 miles between Mayville and Sherman. . Great for hiking, mountain biking or cross country skiing, camping lean-tos available. Maps available. No motorized vehicles.
Hannum Rd.
Mayville, NY  14757
Phone: (716) 763-8928

French Creek Preserve
Over 90 acres of wildlife preserve teeming with migratory birds and other protected animals. Also, perfect for cross country skiing.
Hare Creek Rd. County Rd. 4
Clymer, NY  14724
Phone: (716) 355-6374

Hollyloft Ski & Bike
Bicycle sales & service. Alpine & cross-country skis, snowboards and winter clothing. Expert repair shop, car racks. Cross-country skis, snowshoes and bicycle rentals.
600 Fairmount Ave Jamestown, NY  14701
Phone: (716) 483-2330
Fax: (716) 483-1942
eMail: info@hollyloft.com

Jamestown Cycle Shop
Friendly sales, service, parts and accessories. Bicycle rentals on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution during the summer season.
10 Harrison St. Jamestown, NY  14701
Phone: (716) 664-4112
Fax: (716) 664-6376
eMail: postmaster@jamestowncycleshop.com

Lake Erie State Park
Located between Portland and Westfield overlooking Lake Erie. Overnight camping available, bike paths and cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.
Route 5  Dunkirk, NY  14048
7 miles west of Dunkirk
Phone: (716) 792-9214

Long Point State Park
Located on Chautauqua Lake - a 320 acre day-use park, (no camping) with swimming beach & bathhouse, hiking, biking, reservable picnic pavilions, public boat launch and marina with restaurant, marine supplies, gas docks. Winter time fun with cross-country skiing, snowmobiling & winter fishing.
Route 430 Bemus Point, NY  14712
Phone: (716) 386-2722
Fax: (716) 386-2688

Luensman Overlook Park
A 70-acre overlook on a glacial ridge. Enjoy fabulous sunsets and view of Lake Erie. Picnic pavilion & tables.
Thayer Rd.
Portland, NY  14769
Phone: (716) 661-8400 or (716) 763-8928

Panama Rocks Scenic Park
Glacier formed scenic park with hiking trails and picnic area.
11 Rock Hill Rd.
PO Box 176 Panama, NY  14767
Phone: (716) 782-2845
eMail: pj@panamarocks.com

Rails to Trails
Trail system of converted rail beds covering 30 miles. Perfect for hiking, biking and cross country skiing. Maps available.
Rt. 394 Railroad Depot
PO Box 151 Mayville, NY  14781
Phone: (716) 269-3666

Ralph Sheldon Trail
Part of the Rails to Trails System, perfect for hiking, biking & cross country skiing. 5.5 miles running north to Summerdale Rd. Parking available on Titus Rd. Maps available.
Titus Rd. Sherman, NY  14781
Phone: (716) 483-2330

Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
View world class nature exhibits, wildlife art, photography exhibitions. Natural history library. shop the Nature Store. Hike & bird the trails on 27 acres and enjoy the butterfly garden.
311 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY  14701
Phone: (716) 665-2473
Fax: (716) 665-3794

TripAdvisor: Planning a trip? Start here

Professional Association of Innkeepers International
Findley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
Chautauqua County Visitor's Bureau
Chautauqua Art Trail