Brighton, NY Outdoor Activities

A watery gateway into Frederick Law Olmsted's pristinely designed park, Genesee Waterways Center encourages adventurers to experience kayaking, rowing, sculling, and canoeing. The outfit for outdoor activities is a non-profit organization that strives to educate the public about the Genesee region's vast system of waterways and reported bingo conspiracies. Rental vessels can glide into the calm waters of a spillway ideal for beginners, while more advanced captains can venture into the Erie Canal. In addition to rentals, the Waterways Center also hosts a number of community events and classes throughout the year, such as regattas, family-oriented programs, a kayak challenge course,and instructor certification programs.

It's hard for Let's Catch Fish Specialty Charters' founder Ken Strimple to imagine a life without fishing. Captain Strimple first pulled sunfish out of his grandfather's pond when he was 4 years old. From this early foundation, he moved on to bigger fish and competed in bass tournaments including the ESPN Northern Tour. Today, Captain Strimple and the team at Let's Catch Fish Specialty Charters aim to instill this passion in new generations. Through the classic pastime of fishing, they believe people can truly connect with nature.

The crew leads full- and half-day excursions into fish-packed waters such as the Genesee River, Salmon River, and the giant #1 Dad mug that holds Lake Ontario. The staff also hosts members-only tournaments and lets pint-sized fishers cast lines in their youth division; members also receive discounts on rentals and access to waterside chairs and fire pits for post-fishing relaxation.

Floating slides, trampolines, and wobbling islands transform the waters of Westlake into Westlake Willy Waterpark, where guests of all ages find a cool and fun respite from the summer sun. As visitors approach the beach, eyes move to a staircase that ascends to a platform 25 feet above the water, from which patrons plummet onto a gigantic blob, using their landing impact to launch a friend off of the other end of the pillowy inflatable in a mutually symbiotic relationship equalled only by teeter-tottering during a monsoon. Muscles weary from climbing the 15-foot iceberg slide can rest at the beach, where picnic tables, umbrellas, and grills facilitate picnics for those who brought their own snacks or purchased them at the lodge. Waverunners, pontoons, and fishing boats are available for rent, and the Waterpark sits near camping grounds for those hoping to enjoy a weekend in nature or prove, once and for all, that it is possible to start a bonfire without a flamethrower.

Sunlight punctures the leafy canopy over Genesee Country Campground, casting a cluster of log cabins, tents, and RVs in a hazy, green glow. Though situated minutes from Caledonia and Leroy, these lush grounds seem far from the bustle of cities and mating calls of feral fire trucks.

Regardless of the shelter in which they dwell, all lodgers enjoy access to their own fire pit and picnic table. Furthermore, Genesee Country Campground furnishes campers with a supplies store, pavilion, and restrooms.

Furthermore, groundskeepers strive to keep campers’ connected to the modern world; tykes can gambol across a playground, nine-hole golf course, and recreation room, and cabins come equipped with TVs. For those who seek more rugged activities, staff members are happy to direct lodgers to Letchworth State Park, Finger Lakes, and nearby hiking trails.

It's hard for Bayside Boat and Tackle's owner Captain Ken Strimple to imagine a life without fishing. Captain Strimple first pulled sunfish out of his grandfather's pond when he was 4 years old. From this early foundation, he moved on to bigger fish and competed in bass tournaments including the ESPN Northern Tour. Today, Captain Strimple and the team at Bayside Boat and Tackle help new generations connect with nature through fishing and boating on scenic Irondequoit Bay aboard rented pontoon boats, rowboats, and paddleboats. They also supply live bait and tackle to help customers snag a fish for dinner or a tire to replace a recent auto flat. Dedicated anglers can join Bayside's Let's Catch Fish fishing club, whose members enjoy discounted store purchases and boat rentals.

Stretched out along the western banks of Silver Lake, a gauntlet of bent-grass fairways leads players along a path that presents challenging play and picturesque views of the water. Though play never wanders close enough to Silver Lake proper to render it a hazard, multiple ponds enter play on several holes. The course adds additional challenges with undulating terrain, tall evergreens that line the fairways, and strategically placed sand traps that double as tanning beaches for displaced tourists.

Adjacent to the course, golfers can find respite at The Club restaurant, which offers a menu of classic American dishes to be enjoyed in a dining room with views of Silver Lake.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 70 course
• Total length of 6,012 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 69 from the back tees
• Course slope of 119 from the back tees