Bemus Point: Lake, Ferry, and Village Park

Bemus Point marks a distinctive spot on Chautauqua Lake: the village divides the lake into two nearly equal basins. Water activities are part of a stay here in different ways—from the public boat launch and paddling options to the ferry service across the lake. There is also a versatile Village Park and stories connected to the village’s long ferry and boating tradition.

Out on the Water

The DEC Bemus Point Launch is on Lakeside Avenue, on the east side of the lake. The paved boat launch has parking for 30 cars and boat trailers. If you’re traveling with your own boat, you can take this specific access point into account when planning. On the Bemus Point waterfront, Bemus Bay Water Toys also rents kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys. That gives you different options: a boat launch and rentals for activities on the water.

There is also a small observation area with a picnic table at the public launch on the casino side of the Lenhart launch. The area is intended for fishing or relaxing by the water. If you’d like to spend time by the lake, this offers a different kind of waterfront experience from the boat launch or water-toy rentals.

Village Park and Shared Activities

Village Park is open daily until 11 p.m. Its amenities include benches, a playground, picnic tables and grills, as well as a basketball court and pickleball courts with lake views. For families, the playground and picnic areas offer practical options for spending time together; the sports courts add active recreation. The Summer Movie Series brings free film screenings to Village Park each summer. So, alongside its permanent amenities, the park also offers seasonal movies.

Another connection to the lake is the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry. Since the 1870s, it has carried passengers across Chautauqua Lake between the villages of Bemus Point and Stow, and it is one of the oldest continuously operating ferries in North America. If you’d like to include the crossing in your stay, it offers a different perspective on the lake than spending time at a waterfront spot.

Boating Tradition and Events

The village’s history is also reflected in the Boat Chandlery at 73 Lakeside Ave. in Bemus Point. The business was founded in 1918, and nearly 1,000 boats have been sold through it. This figure gives the local boating tradition a concrete historical connection. Main Street is also home to a lakeside golf course with a Tap House, providing another leisure option in the village.

The annual Bemus Point Fall Fest is part of the events calendar. In 2026, it took place from September 18 to 20 and included, among other things, a street market, food and drinks, live music, and seasonal activities. If you’re planning a stay around this festival, the date is important: the 2026 edition has already passed. As a recurring festival, it also shapes Bemus Point’s events calendar. The Summer Movie Series independently offers film screenings in Village Park during the summer.

When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, the experiences that matter to you can help you decide on Bemus Point: time by the water, activities in Village Park, the ferry service, or local events. Bemus Point brings these different reasons to visit together with its location on Chautauqua Lake.

Explore More Places

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Mayville, Clymer, Frewsburg, Cassadaga, Panama, Falconer, Mina, and Dunkirk.

For the broader travel overview: Chautauqua.