Sun, Splash & Sweet Cones: A Summer Guide to Herkimer County, NY

When summer arrives in Herkimer County, the whole place lights up. Lakes fill with swimmers, and families from across New York State find their favorite place to be. From the Adirondack north to the Mohawk Valley south, this is a county that lives for the warm months — and it shows. Here is how to make the most of every sunny day.

Make a Splash: Water Fun for Every Kind of Swimmer

Summer in Herkimer County starts on the water. The free public town beach on Fourth Lake in Old Forge welcomes swimmers from late June through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty and easy parking off Lakeview Avenue — the kind of unhurried afternoon that belongs on every family’s summer list. For a wilder ride, Adirondack River Outfitters (ARO Adventures) offers guided whitewater rafting adventures, with options ranging from family-friendly trips to adrenaline-pumping rapids. — all gear and guides included. For something with more of a theme-park rush, Enchanted Forest Water Safari — New York’s largest water theme park — delivers more than 30 heated water slides, a tidal wave pool, a lazy river, classic amusement rides and attractions, a live circus show, and over 50 attractions total. Right next door, Calypso’s Cove Family Fun Park keeps the energy going into the evening with go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, a zipline ropes course, and an arcade. Together, they are the anchor of an entire Adirondack vacation. 

Hit the Trails & Take to the Sky

Not every summer adventure needs water. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad offers one of the most relaxed ways to take in the mountain scenery — with scenic train rides and rail biking excursions through valleys and forests that feel far from the everyday. For a panoramic reward without a long climb, McCauley Mountain runs its chair lift through summer and fall, lifting visitors above the forest canopy for sweeping views of Old Forge and the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Each August, the Herkimer County Fair rolls in with five days of live music, demolition derby, carnival rides, tractor pulls, a horse show, and the kind of small-town celebration that brings the whole county together. On warm evenings in Little Falls, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs baseball at Veterans Memorial Park rounds out a perfect summer day with a relaxed, family-friendly game day experience.

A Scoop Well Earned: Where to Get Ice Cream

Every great summer day deserves a proper ending. In Old Forge, the Pied Piper is a true North Country institution — a beloved stop for soft serve and hard ice cream that locals have been returning to for generations. Also in Old Forge, Benny’s Ice Cream on Route 28 is a charming local favorite serving custard, shakes, sundaes, floats, and other classic summer treats from a beautifully landscaped outdoor seating area — a perfect stop after a day on the water. In the Mohawk Valley, The Café at Stone Mill in Little Falls sits along the Erie Canal, offering a relaxing place to cool down after exploring historic Canal Place and downtown Little Falls.

Plan a Summer Escape

Whether the draw is thrills, a perfect cone, or simply a place to slow down and breathe, Herkimer County has a summer version of itself for every kind of traveler. Start planning a warm-weather getaway at Experience Herkimer County and discover why so many families keep coming back, year after year.