Keuka Lake

Welcome to Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake is the most popular Finger Lake for buyers who are seeking to purchase lake property in this region. “Crooked Lake,” which is the Iroquois Language translation for Keuka, is an unusual Y-shape and is 20 miles long and ½-2miles wide. The lake empties into Seneca Lake through the Keuka Lake Outlet stream. The town of Penn Yan is at the north-eastern tip of the lake, Branchport is at the north-western tip, and Hammondsport is at the south end of the lake. A notable resident of the area is Glenn Curtiss, who was the pioneer of naval aviation and was nicknamed the “fastest man on earth”. Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which is located in the charming town of Hammondsport at the south end of the lake. Keuka College is a private, undergraduate and graduate residential college that offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is located on the western shore of the east branch of the lake. The college is extremely important to the area and is located on a 290-acre campus, some of it lakefront, and hosts 1,100 students and 300 employees. The college has vibrant summer programming with more than 5,000 summer conference guests.

The college is the largest employer in Yates County and has a regional economic impact of > 110 million dollars. The lakefront real estate is densely populated, and the median price per linear foot of lake frontage continues to increase as demand for these properties far exceeds supply. The popularity of this lake can be attributed to its proximity to Rochester and the fact that until recently, lake properties were less expensive when compared to Canandaigua Lake. There is a large number of seasonal residents who spend the summer on Keuka Lake as well as people who live there year-round. The lake is known for having some of the best fishing in the region, with a healthy population of trout and largemouth bass. Motor boating is a favorite activity, and residents enjoy several restaurants around the lake that are accessible by boat. The Keuka Wine Trail, which is known for being the home of the first Vinifera vines, has eight members on the trail, including five wineries. The Pleasant Valley Wine Company was the first bonded winery established in 1860 and is one of the oldest in America. As the prestige of the wine in this area continues to grow, the demand for hotel rooms has increased, which has resulted in the recent construction of a Hampton Inn at the top of the lake. The Keuka Lake community is passionate about its community and is a wonderful place to invest in real estate.