Are you searching for the best New York State Parks? The options are plentiful, and each park contains its own unique features, views, and outdoor activities. In total, New York has 215 state parks and historic sites, meaning you could spend months or years exploring them all.
But where should you start? We have some great suggestions for you that will take you to the most unique state parks in New York, display the beauty of the state, and give you long-lasting memories.
So, without further ado, let’s hike the Grand Canyon of the East, see the roaring power of Niagara Falls, hike Watkins Glen and view iconic waterfalls, hike to great views of the Hudson Valley, admire the chimney bluffs that formed over thousands of years of erosion, and more!
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The Best New York State Park For Families
Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park, commonly called the Grand Canyon of the East, is definitely one of the best state parks in New York to visit. The park follows along the Genesee River in Livingston and Wyoming County and spans 14,427 acres. The main features of the park are the gorge, towering cliffs, and waterfalls.
Hiking is one of the best things to do in the park, with 66 miles of hiking trails. The Gorge Trail is a 7 mile trail that takes you past the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. The trail runs parallel to the main park road and passes many other overlooks on the way.
Another highlight of the park is the Austism Nature Trail, designed specifically for individuals with Autism. The trail is one mile long with 8 different nature themed sensory stations.
A highway runs through the park, giving you access to stunning viewpoints, hiking trails, and waterfalls.Other activities in the park include biking, guided walks, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a swimming pool, educational opportunities at the Humphrey Nature Center, and hot air balloon rides. In the winter you can enjoy snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
Camping is another option in the park. The Glen Iris Inn, a historic inn, is also available for those looking for accommodations in the park. There is also a restaurant available within the park for dining. Letchworth State Park is the perfect destination for those looking for some family fun or those wishing to escape into the woods and do some exploration on their own.
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls State Park is undoubtedly one of the most well known and most unique state parks in New York. Located at the Southern end of the Niagara Gorge at the border of New York and Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls is one of the most notable waterfalls in the United States. It is made up of three different waterfalls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the largest of the three, the Horseshoe Falls.
The falls drop 160 ft. and water pours over the falls at 168,000 m3 (six million cubic feet) per minute. Visitors to the park can walk along the trail and get up close to the top of the American Falls, climb the observation tower for great views of the Falls, explore the visitor center, enjoy a Maid of the Mist boat ride, experience Cave of the Winds, or walk the Niagara Gorge Nature Trail. At nighttime visitors can watch as the Falls are transformed into a magical light show.
Activities within the park include hiking, picnicking, biking, bird watching, and falls viewing. The park is open 24 hours, but attraction times vary and may be seasonal. Be sure to check the individual sites for hours of operation for each attraction before you visit.
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park is located in New York’s racing village and is one of the most famous parks in NYS. The Watkins Glen stream descends 400 feet over cliffs and is home to 19 waterfalls. Of note are the Rainbow Falls, the most well-known of the waterfalls, and Cascade Cavern, which visitors can walk through behind the waterfall and up a spiral staircase.
Hiking is one of the best activities to do in the park. The Gorge Trail is probably the most popular trail, at just 1 mile long and taking you past 19 waterfalls along the way. The trail does have over 800 stone steps, so going up the trail can be challenging. There is a shuttle that takes you to the top, so you can choose to hike up, hike down, or hike both ways.
Other trails in the park include the North Rim Trail and the South Rim Trail. The North Rim Trail is about 2.5 miles round trip and takes you through a more wooded area of the park above the gorge. There is an elevation gain of around 580 feet. The South Rim Trail is 2.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 570 feet.
Other than waterfall viewing, activities within the park include hiking, biking, camping, playgrounds, pavilions and grilling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park sits on 5,205 acres along the Hudson River. Its stunning Catskill Mountain views make it one of the best New York State Parks to visit. The park features a combination of easy and more challenging hikes, making it a great option for families with kids of all ages.
Hiking is one of the best activities in the park for families with 50 miles of hiking trails. Some of the best hikes in the park for families include Hessian Lake Loop, a 1.4 mile flat loop. The trail is paved, making it a good option for strollers. The Brooks Lake Loop is another good option at 1 mile long with minimal elevation gain, but is a little more challenging than the Hessian Lake Loop.
Other activities in the park include riding the Merry-Go-Round, paddle or row boat rentals, picnicking, playgrounds, playing fields, swimming, a nature center, and biking. In the winter months the park offers ice skating, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.
Bear Mountain Park holds the perfect combination of nature and family fun activities, making it one of the best New York State Parks. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Best New York State Parks: Chimney Bluffs State Park
Chimney Bluffs State Park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario and offers visitors some of the most unique views in NY. The chimney bluffs located along the North end drum line are a major draw in for visitors. The park also offers family friendly hiking trails, great for outdoor loving families.
Lake Ontario was created as a result of a glacier that passed through the area over 12,000 years ago. The bluffs were crafted from years and years of erosion and are quite impressive, reaching up to 150 feet tall in some spots. The unique scenery makes Chimney Bluffs State Park one of the best New York State Parks to visit.
Today visitors can take one of the many hiking trails to the bluffs or walk below along the shoreline. The Bluff Trail is one of the most popular, at 1.25 miles long and an elevation gain of 150 ft. This trail takes you up close to the Bluffs, but be careful not to get too close as the bluffs are unstable.
There are also picnic tables and grills available within the park so visitors can hike the trails and then stop and enjoy some lunch while taking in views of Lake Ontario. Other activities in the park include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in the winter monts. The park is open daily year-round from dawn to dusk.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park is located near Ithaca and features a main waterfall, several smaller, cascading waterfalls, and the Buttermilk Creek flowing towards Cayuga Lake. Buttermilk Creek drops 600 feet through the gorge, creating a very scenic trail with cascading waterfalls. The park gets its name from the foamy appearance of the water.
The park has an upper area and lower area. The upper area features Lake Treman, hiking trails, picnic areas, and playing fields. The lower area features the campground, natural pool, Larch Meadows and playing fields.
Like most state parks, hiking is one of the best activities in the park. The Gorge Trail is the most popular trail, at 1.5 miles and taking you up the stream and past many small waterfalls. You can combine the Gorge Trail with the Rim trail, making it a longer hike and giving you different perspectives of the park.
The Larch Meadows trail is another great option for families. The trail is about a mile long and takes you through the wetlands of Larch Meadows. Along the way you will be able to spot a variety of wildlife, flora, and fauna. There is virtually no elevation gain on the trail, making it an easy one for families.
Other activities in the park include camping, swimming, educational programs and tours, and picnicking. The variety of hiking trails and family friendly activities makes this one of the best New York State Parks for families.
Chittenango Falls State Park
Chittenango Falls State Park is a small park located in, you guessed it, Chittenango, NY. While the falls is beautiful and is worth the trip to visit if you are in the area, what makes this area really unique is Chittenango is the birthplace of Frank Baum, who authored the Wizard of Oz. All around town you can see signs of the town’s connection to the Wizard of Oz with signs, a museum, and a yearly Wizard of Oz festival.
One of the main things to do in the park is take the trail down to the base of the falls. The Gorge Trail is a 0.5 mile moderate hike that descends down into the gorge, across a footbridge with views of the falls, and back up a staircase to the main area of the park. Visiting in the fall months will reward visitors with even better views as the colors of fall foliage begin to emerge.
Visitors can also spend some time in the park at the top of the falls or walk along the river. There is an overlook that gives you views of the falls from above, and you can enjoy the Chips & Meadows trails, mostly flat trails that are easily doable for families. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Green Lakes State Park
There is no denying that Green Lakes State Park is a hidden gem and one of the best New York State Parks. Green Lakes State Park is home to two glacier formed lakes-Round and Green Lakes. The lakes are unique because of their rare (to the area) turquoise green colored water and both lakes are meromictic lakes, which means the tops and bottom layers of water don’t mix.
One of the main features of the park is the swimming area. There are also kayaks (including clear kayaks) and row boats available for rent in the park. The clear lake water and clear kayaks allow you to see through the lake to the bottom, and observe fish, plants, and other aspects of the lake.
Hiking is one of the best activities in the park. The most popular trail is the Green Lake trail, a 2.3 mile trail that circles Green Lake. The trail is mostly flat and gives you many opportunities for getting up close to the lake and observing the unique make up and wild life of the lake. The 1.6 mile, flat Round Lake Trail is another great option for families.
You can extend your visit and camp overnight or rent a cabin. Other activities in the park include golfing (18 hole golf course), camping, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and if visiting with children, playgrounds. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Best New York State Parks: Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park is located in the world-famous Saratoga Springs and its long history makes it one of the best New York State Parks. The main draw of the park is the 13 mineral springs scattered throughout the park. Visitors can hike the many trails and discover the springs, which all have a unique taste and believed health benefit.
Saratoga Spa State Park also has the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, National Museum of Dance, and Hall of Springs. The park has many picnic and grilling areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, and two pools, making it the perfect family destination.
Other activities include biking, hiking, ice skating, a nature center, playgrounds, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Park hours vary depending on the time of year. Be sure to check their site before heading out for your adventure.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Located near Ithaca, Taughannock Falls State Park is known for its 215 foot waterfall and 400 foot tall gorge. The unique waterfall and gorge is a hanging valley, created where Taughnanock’s streamed-carved valley meets a glacial carved valley. The park’s main features include Taughannock Falls, two smaller waterfalls, wooded areas, and the gorge.
The most popular trail in the park is probably the Gorge Trail, a 1.5 mile round trip trail that takes you to the base of Taughannock Falls. The trail is flat, taking you along the Taughannock Creek, to a viewing platform. The park also features rim trails that give you a different perspective of the falls and park.
The Rim Trails consist of a North Rim Trail and South Rim Trail. The South Rim trail is about 1.25 miles in length, while the North Rim Trail is slightly longer at 1.5 miles. The Rim trails take you through wooded areas with views overlooking the gorge and waterfalls.
Aside from the Gorge Trail, you can also view the main waterfall from an overlook near the visitors center, easily accessible from the parking area. Other activities in the park include swimming in Cayuga Lake, camping, stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and guided gorge tours. The wide variety of activities makes this one of the best New York State Parks for families.
John Boyd Thatcher State Park
John Boyd Thatcher State Park is located about 15 miles south of Albany along the Helderberg Escarpment. The Helderberg Escarpment is one of the richest, fossil bearing rock formations in the world. The main features of the park include limestone cliffs, rock formations, wooded areas, waterfalls, and open fields. Views from the park include the Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, Adirondack Mountains, and Green Mountains.
The most popular thing to do in the park is hike, with the Indian Ladder Trail being a favorite. The trail is 1.1 miles with an elevation gain of about 318 feet. The trail takes you under the Helderberg Escarpment, past two waterfalls, and under one of the waterfalls.
The beginning and end of the trail features staircases, but otherwise the trail is easy to complete. Along the trail you will pass two waterfalls (the intensity of these waterfalls varies depending on rain). Other family friendly trails in the park include the Blue Loop Trail (1.9 miles), the Yellow Loop Trail (2 miles), and the Red Trail (1.5 miles).
Other activities in the park include sports fields, disc golf, mountain biking, rock climbing (with a permit), interpretive programs and guided tours of Indian Ladder, and in the winter cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The Wild Play Adventure Park is another great family activity in the park, with 15 zip lines, aerial games, and a 40 ft. jump.
Stony Brook State Park
Stony Brook State Park, located in Western NY in the village of Dansville, is one of the best New York State parks for families. The park is 568 acres and features wooded areas, a gorge, and 3 main waterfalls, along with some smaller cascading waterfalls. The park offers plenty of outdoor family activities.
One of the main highlights of the park is the natural, stream-fed swimming area that is re-enforced with concrete. The area has a wading area and deeper section. Swimming is allowed here, but is not allowed along at any area in the gorge.
While the park does not have an abundance of trails, hiking is still one of the best things to do. There are three main trails to choose from. The Gorge Trail is one of the best trails, beginning at the stream fed pool near the North Entrance of the park. The trail takes you through the gorge and past 3 waterfalls. The trail is 0.75 miles one way with stairs and stone staircases, making it moderately difficult.
The West Rim Trail is 0.85 miles one way and takes you along the Western rim of the gorge. The trail takes you through a wooded area with views overlooking the gorge and waterfalls. The East Rim trail is the longest at 1.5 miles one way. You can complete each trail separately or combine them for a longer hike.
Other activities in the park include camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, swimming, and sports fields (including tennis, baseball, volleyball, and basketball). In the winter, you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prettiest State Park in New York?
The prettiest state park is depends on what are you looking for. However, the parks that offer some of the best views include Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth State Park, and Niagara Falls State Park.
Do seniors get into NY State Parks for free?
Yes, anyone over the age of 62 gets free vehicle entrance into most state parks.
How many state parks are there in New York?
New York has over 200 state parks and historic sites.
Do you have to pay a fee to enter New York State Parks?
Yes, many state parks do have a small entrance fee (usually per vehicle). This varies from park to park, so be sure to verify any fees for the park you are visiting before your visit.
Are dogs allowed in New York State Parks?
Dogs are allowed in many New York State Parks, but rules vary by location. Pets may need to remain on a leash, and certain areas, including beaches or swimming areas, may have restrictions. Be sure to check the guidelines for the park you are visiting.
Are New York State Parks open year-round?
Many parks remain open throughout the year, although certain facilities, roads, campgrounds, and attractions may close seasonally. Many offer winter activities if you don’t mind the cold!
What is the Empire Pass?
The Empire Pass is an annual pass that provides vehicle access to many New York State Parks and other participating state facilities. You can purchase a pass and find out what locations accept it here.
Can you take kids hiking in New York State Parks?
Absolutely! Hiking is one of the best activities for families in NYS parks. The parks offer trails for a variety of ages and ability levels. When hiking with children, choose an appropriate trail, bring plenty of water and snacks, and allow extra time for breaks and exploring.
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
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- A Spooky Adventure: 14 Best Attractions in Sleepy Hollow, NY
- 13 Adventurous Things to Do in Old Forge With Kids (Adirondacks)
