Evangola State Park (Irving, NY)

Evangola State Park in western New York offers breathtaking views of Lake Erie and spacious grounds for picnicking and relaxing on the beach!

By: Alisha Trenalone

It had been a long road trip.

We were on our second day of driving to our destination in upstate New York, and we wanted a change of pace from the typical interstate exits and rest areas.

Something a bit more scenic to make us remember that we were actually on vacation!

Fortunately, we were nearing the shores of Lake Erie. A quick check of the map showed that there are several state parks very close to Interstate 90.

We picked Evangola State Park, which we hoped would have lake views and plenty of space to picnic in.

It delivered!

Evangola was an unexpected gem and a relaxing little detour from our route.

Looking for other state parks to check out in New York? The waterfalls at Watkins Glen are worth a visit!

Getting to Evangola State Park

Evangola State Park is near the hamlet of Irving, New York, and is an easy detour of about 5 miles from Interstate 90.

There was a vehicle entrance fee, which was $7 as of summer 2021. Check the state park website for up-to-date costs.

Picnic Grounds

There was a lot of room to spread out at Evangola, with large shady trees and expanses of lawn.

The park has amenities like playgrounds, pavilions, shelters, and, of course, bathroom facilities.

The first thing we did on getting out of our vehicle was walk straight toward the horizon.

Hints of a lake vista between the trees promised us a picnic with a view.

And we were not disappointed! As we emerged through the trees, an endless stretch of blue water greeted us.

Punctuated by a sailboat far in the distance!

The view was ideal, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. We set up our picnic on a convenient table nearby.

The Beach at Evangola

Although we weren't really in the mode for swimming and lounging on the beach this time, we could see it from our overhead vantage point.

Before we left, we couldn't resist taking a closer look.

A long, sandy shoreline stretched invitingly before us, with still very few people in sight! It was a hot August day, and the water certainly looked tempting.

This is a beach that seems ideal for getting away from it all.

And just imagine the sunsets.

Slightly above beach level, a walkway with benches facing out to the lake offered a less sandy way to experience the view.

As we learned later, Evangola State Park also has three campground loops and six yurts that can be reserved online during the summer season, as well as hiking trails, a nature center, and biking and snowmobiling paths.

So if you're traveling through western New York and want to break your trip with some fabulous lake views, stop off at Evangola State Park. Or set up camp and enjoy a longer stay!