Skip to main content
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

National Marine Sanctuary

Lake Ontario

Designated June 5, 2024 Area 1,722 mi²

About this sanctuary

NOAA has published a final rule to designate Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary

Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 1,722 square miles of eastern Lake Ontario waters and bottomlands adjacent to Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga, and Wayne counties in the state of New York. Co-managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the state of New York, the sanctuary expands on the state’s stewardship of historic sites and brings new opportunities for research, resource protection, educational programming, and community engagement. In partnership with local communities, the sanctuary will provide a national stage for promoting heritage tourism and recreation.

Travel guide coming soon

The Foundation is actively expanding sanctuary content. This page will grow as the Foundation publishes travel guide entries, related stories, and event calendars for Lake Ontario.

In the meantime, you can support this sanctuary directly, sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new content is published, or take action on current advocacy campaigns.