Summer Activities in Gouverneur, NY

As a hallmark community in St. Lawrence County, the largest in upstate New York, Gouverneur is rich with opportunity to experience the most impressive parts of the Adirondack mountains, and the splendor of northern forests, small-town recreation, and meditative calm and peace in the big wilderness. What are your neighbors’ top picks for summer fun, or peace and quiet? Our staff at Team Blevins has compiled a list of their favorites. Check out our guide to summer activities in Gouverneur, NY below!

Experience Upstate NY National Forests

Well within driving distance of Gouverneur are four of the Empire State’s best-loved national forests, all situated around lakes perfect for camping, fishing, and hiking. These treasures include:

• Wolf Lake State Forest – Get to know this well-known getaway this summer, originally used to produce maple syrup by the Reed family in the early 1900s. In the summer, it’s a great getaway for fishing and mountain biking, while winter months make way for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Pleasant Lake State Forest – This 963-acre hideout is open to campers and hikers of all skill levels, especially those looking out for a variety of wildlife. Here, you’ll spot everything from rare birds to mink, black bears, foxes, snakes, and turtles.
• Yellow Lake State Forest – If you’re looking for serenity and scenery, Yellow Lake State Forest is the place to be, considering its unique geography next to the Oswegatchie River. Fishing and boating access aren’t available here due to the steep cliffs you’ll find next to the lake, but what it lacks in trophy recreation is more than compensated for by the views you’ll catch atop these high rises.
• Pulpit Rock State Forest – With 1,600+ acres of land for reforestation, visitors to Pulpit Rock will find themselves engrossed in its history. Rising from Payne Lake, a 100-foot stone pillar rises to overlook the park’s eastern granite plateau – the former site used by traveling clergy to preach to pioneers when the park was first settled.

Plan a trip to any or all of these Upstate New York gems this summer, and immerse yourself in the grand tradition of Gouverneur’s roots and natural riches.

Host a Party at the Gouverneur Recreation Center

Feeling the need to get family and friends together for an afternoon picnic? The Gouverneur Recreation Center is your perfect venue. Apart from offering a number of activities for all age groups in a safe environment, the Rec Center is available to host birthday parties, socials, and other gatherings. Nonprofit club activities and scouting events have found their home here over the years and have led to a number of awards bestowed on Gouverneur’s best spot for meaningful leisure-time, including grants from the Youth Development Program in 2014 and 2015, St. Lawrence Country Arts Council in 2010 and 2011, and the NYS Council on the Arts in 2010.

Get Out on Gouverneur Golf Courses

With 15 golf courses ranging from par-threes to world-class groomed greens, golf courses like the Massena Country Club and St. Lawrence State Park Golf Course are well within reach for Gouverneur residents and travelers looking to improve their strokes and get out under the sun. Particular highlights include the 6,000-yard, par-72 courses at both Patridge Run and St. Lawrence University, while the Potsdam Town & Country Club offers a great spot for steaks once you’re done walking.

Gouverneur Drivers Trust Team Blevins for Local Advice and More

There’s a difference when you shop at Team Blevins: We know the area where you’ll drive your new vehicle through and through. Whether you’re taking a 2019 Jeep Wrangler off-road in the Adirondack foothills, or a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee out to Gouverneur restaurants, you know you’ll be getting a vehicle that meets the unique needs of Gouverneur drivers. Contact us to learn more about our inventory, find out what an alternator does, or just to share some local advice of your own!