Outdoors
Lakes near Hempstead
23 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
23
Closest
3.3 mi
Hempstead Lake
Within 10 miles
3
Reservoirs
11
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 3.3miHempstead Lakereservoir
- 7.9miMassapequa Lake
- 10miLake Success
- 13.6miMeadow Lake
- 14.8miRidgewood Reservoirreservoir
- 17.2miBeaver Lake
- 17.4miGuggenheim Lakesreservoir
- 18.6miProspect Lakereservoir
- 20.8miJacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoirreservoir
- 20.8miHarlem Meer
- 20.9miCroton Distributing Reservoir
- 21.1miThe Lake
- 21.5miWilliamsbridge Reservoir
- 21.9miHighbridge Reservoir
- 22.2miJerome Park Reservoirreservoir
- 22.2miHuguenot Lakereservoir
- 23.2miHillview Reservoirreservoir
- 23.2miPlayland Lake
- 23.3miSheldrake Lake
- 24.2miLake Innisfreereservoir
- 24.2miMamaroneck Reservoirreservoir
- 26.2miGrassy Sprain Reservoirreservoir
- 28.9miLake Ronkonkoma
Straight-line distance from the center of Hempstead; driving and trail distances are longer.
Before you go
Many reservoirs are drinking-water supplies with no swimming or body contact. Look for a designated swim beach.
Green, scummy or paint-like water can be a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Keep kids and dogs out and check the county advisory.
Boat launches often need a day pass or inspection for invasive mussels, and anglers 16 and older usually need a state fishing license.
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Questions
What is the closest lake to Hempstead?
Hempstead Lake, about 3.3 miles from the center of Hempstead.
How many lakes are near Hempstead?
23 named lakes are within 30 miles, 3 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Hempstead natural?
11 of the 23 are reservoirs made by dams; the rest are mapped as natural lakes. Swimming rules differ, so check each one.
Sources: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked 2026-11-08; photos from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Access, fees and conditions change; check before visiting.