5 New York Lakefront Retreats and Private Country Estates

Along the water’s edge in Brant Lake, deeded docking and a shared beach set an easygoing rhythm for this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. A huge front screen porch catches the breeze, while a few strides across the road puts you at your dock—brunch on the water feels like part of the routine. Just down the road, the shared beach is known for some of Brant Lake’s best views. Inside, the dining room’s many windows pull in soft evening light, and the fireplace invites slower nights after dinner. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a large soaking tub and a deck for quiet end-of-day moments. Practical updates include a brand-new oil tank, recently redone basement plumbing, and a new hot water heater, plus a garage and large basement for boats, jet skis, and snowmobiles.

Along the water’s edge on picturesque Owasco Lake, this cozy retreat pairs 83 feet of level frontage with views that unfold in every direction. Life centers on the enormous private composite deck with cable railing—an unobstructed, panoramic stage reached by sliding glass doors from both the living room and primary bedroom. Inside, an open living and dining room is wrapped in windows for all-day natural light, while a modern galley kitchen is complemented by wood and tile flooring, a wood-burning stove, and mini-split heating and cooling. Appliances and furnishings are included, and practical touches like an enclosed laundry area, accessible crawl space, and attic keep the home easy to live in. Near the south end of the lake, a short walk to the boat launch and marina, days naturally drift toward boating, fishing, and swimming.

Along the water’s edge at The Chapin Estate, this wooded homesite unfolds across lush evergreen and hardwood forest, with two distinct building sites to choose from. One sits beside 413 feet of lake frontage on Swinging Bridge Reservoir, oriented toward the mountains; the other rises higher for sweeping views, with a gravel driveway leading down to the water. The shoreline adds character and variety, from an old carriage trail to a dramatic cliff at one end and gradual access to the reservoir at the other. Set within a 2,500-acre gated preserve surrounded by 14,000 acres of protected land, residents enjoy lakes, trout streams, miles of trails, a members-only Lake Club, security patrol, concierge services, and access to The Chatwal Lodge. Just under two hours from Manhattan, it’s a quiet Catskills retreat in Lumberland.

Size: 5.65 acres

Along the water’s edge in Lumberland, Lot 1 Woodstone Trail offers a 5+ acre homesite defined by dramatic elevation changes and lush forests of evergreens and hardwoods. An improved gravel driveway guides you up to an elevated build site oriented toward the northern mountain range, then continues down to 336 feet of frontage on Swinging Bridge Reservoir. Across the water, building restrictions on the opposite shoreline help preserve forever-wild views from the property.

Size: 5.68 acres

Surrounded by 37 acres of open and wooded land in Guilford, this private country estate pairs long views with the quiet presence of a stocked pond and a gentle stream winding through the property. The main home is joined by an attached two-story cottage with a separate entrance—an easy fit for multi-generational living, guests, or rental potential. Inside the main residence, an open floor plan is brightened by expansive windows, while a contemporary kitchen offers a pantry and workstation for everyday ease. A Jotul woodstove adds ambiance alongside secondary radiant heat. Upstairs, the primary suite includes an en-suite bath and a private balcony overlooking the pond, with additional bedrooms and laundry nearby. Outdoor life unfolds across a covered front porch, wraparound deck with pond access, and perennial gardens, complemented by a heated detached two-car garage with storage and office space.

Price: Contact for pricing