Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks and Skating Ponds near Westchester

Westchester is home to a host of outdoor ice skating rinks. And what these ice skating rinks—ranging from outdoor ice skating rinks to ice skating on local ponds—lack in upscale amenities, they make up for in old-school charm. In most cases, you'll need your own pair of skates to glide across these ice skating rinks in Westchester, plus below-freezing temperatures to ensure it's safe to set foot on the county's frozen ponds.

If you just can't wait for the ice to freeze, consider a visit to one of NYC's outdoor ice skating rinks, and find plenty more seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Ice Skating Rinks and Ponds in Westchester County Parks

The ponds and lakes within the Westchester County Parks jurisdiction are checked daily in the winter for ice conditions. Before skating, call 914-864-PARK or visit the Westchester County Parks Facebook page to check whether conditions are safe for skating. On-site, look for a white flag with the green ball or other signage indicating safe conditions. When conditions allow, ice skating is permitted daily from dawn to dusk, and it is FREE.

Lace-up for a day on the ice at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park.

1. Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park – North Salem

The northernmost county park offers extensive recreational opportunities in the winter, including ice skating, hiking, snow-shoeing, and cross-country skiing. For skating conditions at Hemlock Lake, check the park’s Facebook page or call the park office.

2. Tibbets Brook Park – Yonkers

Ice skating, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing are some of the winter recreational options at this county-owned park. Kids can also romp in the playground. Parking is FREE during ice skating season.

3. Wampus Pond – Armonk

While summer at Wampus Pond is for boating and fall is for foliage, the pond becomes a destination for ice skating in the winter. Ice fishing is also available.

4. Willson's Woods – Mount Vernon

Perhaps best known for its summertime wave pool, this park also offers picnicking and fishing in the summer and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter. Hiking trails and a playground are also available.

RELATED: Best Sledding Hills in Westchester for Kids

Blue Mountain Reservation welcomes visitors for an enchanting winter experience.

5. Blue Mountain Reservation – Peekskill

In addition to ice skating and cross-country skiing, Blue Mountain reservation is a popular destination for mountain biking, hiking, and also features a trail lodge and Sportsman Center, where shooting and archery are offered. A playground is also available. The park is open daily from 8am to dusk year-round.

6. Twin Lakes Park – Eastchester

Spanning parts of Eastchester and New Rochelle, this multifaceted (and somehow off-the-beaten-path) park complex may be best known for its equestrian center—but slip past the horses to find the namesake lakes, where ice skating is available in winter.

7. V.E. Macy Park – Ardsley

The Woodlands Lake section of V.E. Macy Park offers all-seasons recreation with ice skating in winter and fishing in summer. It also offers access to hiking along the South County Trailway. Other sections of the park include a playground, ball field, and picnic pavilion. Park hours are daily from 9am to dusk.

8. Veterans Memorial Park – Ossining

Twirl on the ice skating rink at this Ossining park, and bring a thermos of hot cocoa to enjoy by the fire after your skate.

9. Duck Pond Park & Kaplan's Pond – Croton-on-Hudson

These two town parks offer unsupervised skating on their local ponds.

RELATED: Where To Go Snow Tubing near New York City

Hit the ice at the Bear Mountain Ice Rink. Photo by Susan Miele

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks near Westchester

10. Bear Mountain Ice Rink – Tomkins Cove

Open through Sunday, March 3, 2024
While most of our attention is focused on Westchester options, there are many reasons to recommend a jaunt to nearby Bear Mountain State Park. Majestic mountain views surround the rink, and a visit here can be rounded out with any of many activity options, including sledding, hiking, a casual walk around the lake, a visit to the lodge, a twirl around the carousel, a visit to the zoo, and more. Consult the ice skating rink’s website for holiday schedules and announcements of any closures, as skating is weather-dependent. Admission is $5 for ages 5 and older and FREE for tots 4 and younger. Skate rentals and skate sharpening are $10 per pair, and there is a $10 parking fee on weekends and holidays.

11. Harriman State Park – Sloatsburg

Decidedly more rustic than Bear Mountain, the skating facilities at Harriman are, indeed, a multitude of lakes in the park. You won't find any Zambonis here. It's old-school pond ice skating once the ice is 6-inches thick, and skaters are responsible for removing any snow before they skate. Steer clear of ice fishermen and their holes when you glide.

More Outdoor Ice Skating Ponds in Westchester

While county-owned parks are open to all Westchester residents, some towns and villages offer outdoor ice skating rinks and ponds for residents only. These include:

• Bedford Hills Park
• Leonard Park in Mount Kisco
• Pound Ridge Town Park Pond
• Carrol Park in Thornwood
• Opperman's Pond in Pleasantville
• Bear Ridge Lake in Pleasantville

Check your town's recreation department for local options not listed here.

Originally published in 2021. Writer Tom Stefanchik contributed additional reporting.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of Westchester County Department of Parks