Swimming: There is a State Park at the northern portion of Lake St. Catherine off Route 30. It offers camping and swimming opportunities. The public beach is large and quite inviting. If you bring a boat, the park has launching and mooring areas for campers.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: The water is clear to about 13 meters and the fish are friendly.

Fishing & Boating: The fishing is great. You can launch a boat from the state park or from the Fish and Game launching site at the bridge that divides the main lake from the Little Lake.

Sailing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding: This is a fine place to also launch a sail boat, a kayak or a canoe.

Water Skiing & Tubing: The lake is large enough for some great water skiing and tubing with the kids.

Bird Watching: There is a nesting couple of bald eagles on the main lake. Red wing Black birds live in a beautiful undeveloped wetland between the main lake and the Little Lake. Blue Herons are all over, ring bill gulls are on almost every raft. Other birds seen recently: Red tail hawks, pileated woodpeckers, loons (spring and fall), belted kingfishers, common mergansers, Baltimore orioles, gold finches, and more....

Hiking and Biking: Enjoy peaceful nature walks, or climb to some spectacular views overlooking Lake St. Catherine (Lewis Deane Preserve) from a number of peaks in the Slate Valley Trails network. Slate Valley Trails has over 27 miles combined of dedicated mountain biking trails, with beginner to advanced trails.

Interesting sights: One of the major industries of the region is quarrying slate. In fact, this area and a portion that extends across the boarder into New York, is known as the Slate Valley. If you roam around you'll see small lakes created when quarries were abandoned. The many working quarries in the area are fascinating to see. You can also buy slate flags or shingles to bring home. A 12" x 15" flag is quite inexpensive - and some "seconds" can be had at dirt cheap prices. Most important: make sure that you visit the excellent Slate Valley Museum in Granville, NY. The exhibits are very professional and you'll learn a lot!

Be sure to also check out our two lake-local establishments - The Wells Country Store and Otto's Cones Point General Store for great food, Vermont products, and other provisions.

Shopping: Within a short drive of the lake there is the town of Manchester, famous for its discount shopping malls. Shop 'til you drop.