Looking for a unique day trip in New York State where you can get outside and explore nature? Chimney Bluffs State Park, located along Lake Ontario, features some of the most unique landscape in the state, making it one of the best day trips for families.
The park features unique rock formations and glacial spires created over thousands of years by wind and water, family friendly hiking trails, lake views, and a picnic area. The main thing to do in the park is go for a hike, with hikes ranging from easy to slightly more challenging. We outline our favorite hikes to help you plan your trip!
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The History
Located in Wolcott, NY, Chimney Bluffs State Park is a frequently visited destination that attracts visitors because of it’s erosion crafted bluffs. If you take the trails leading above you will get stunning views of Lake Ontario and the bluffs above, or walk along the shoreline below and you will get some great views of the bluffs looking up.
Lake Ontario was formed as a result of a glacier that melted 12,000 years ago. The bluffs are located along the Northern end of a glacier made hill called a drumline. aIN some places they reach up to 150ft.
The chimney bluffs were formed as a result of thousands of years of waves splashing against the drumline and causing the soil to wash out as well as erosion from wind, rain, and snow. The shoreline continues to recede as much as three to five feet yearly.
Another piece of interesting history, during the Prohibition, the Chimney Bluffs were used as an area where Canadian smugglers dropped off liquor that would be collected and stored for selling.
Park Info
Chimney Bluffs State Park is located in Wolcott, New York. The park is open daily year round from dawn to dusk. There is a small entrance fee (be sure to check the site before your visit for current fees) from April 1st to October 31st. The Empire Pass can also be used for entrance.
Maps: You can find downloadable maps on the Chimney Bluffs website as well as a digital map for your phone.
Park Entrances
When you arrive at the park there are two entrance options. The first is located on Garner Road and will give you access to most of the trail heads and a picnic area. There is also bathroom access adjacent to the parking area. This is a paid parking lot.
We passed the entrance to the East-West Trail and the Bluff Trail while walking along this path, but both were very muddy and inaccessible with small children (if it were just me I would have gone for it!).
The second parking area is at the end of East Bay Road. From here you can access the Bluff Trail. Near the staircase leading to the Bluff Trail you can find access to the shoreline/beach area below the bluffs. There is a bit of a ledge that you have to climb down and we opted not to do this with the kids, but it did make for some good views.
Chimney Bluffs State Park: The Trails
There are four main trails in the park to explore and view the Bluffs from. All of the trails are relatively easy and can be enjoyed by beginning level hikers. You can do the trails on their own, or combine them to do a loop trail.
The Bluff Trail
The Bluff Trail is the most popular trail in Chimney Bluffs State Park. It takes you along the edge of the bluffs, giving you views of the bluffs and Lake Ontario. The trail is 1.25 miles long with some elevation gain (about 150 ft. in a short distance) on the East Bay Road side.
The Trail is accessible near the picnic area off of the Garner Road parking area or via the stairs located on the East Bay Road Entrance. There is a steep inclination on the East Bay Road side with a milder inclination along the other side. If starting from the Garner Road side, the trail will begin walking through a forested area until you reach the top of the cliffs.
When walking the trail near the bluffs, be sure to stay back and don’t walk or climb on the bluffs. They are unstable and it is possible for them to collapse. Be sure to follow all posted warning signs when exploring the trail.
The Drumline Trail
A 0.75 mile long trail that begins on Garner Road, crossing the East-West Trail, and eventually meets the Bluff Trail at the top of the cliffs. (This trail was not accessible when we visited).
Garner Point Trail
The Garner Point Trail is a flat, 0.5 mile trail that begins to the left of the parking area and extends to Garner Point at the shore of Lake Ontario. The Bluff Trail and East-West Trail can be reached along this trail.
East-West Trail
The longest trail, a 1.75 mile trail that goes through the park parallel to Garner Road. This trail does not pass by the bluffs, but does have connecting points with the Drumline Trail and ends at East Bay Road, which can be taken down to the stairs leading to the Bluff Trail.
Tips for Visiting
- If visiting in the Spring, expect the trails to be very muddy.
- Swimming is prohibited in the park. You can walk along the shoreline below the cliffs, but swimming is not allowed for safety reasons.
- Pets are allowed in the park, but must be kept on a leash with a maximum length of 6 ft.
- Chimney Bluffs State Park is a carry-in, carry-out park. If bringing anything in be sure to carry it out with you! Do not leave trash behind that can damage the environment. Remember the Leave No Trace guidelines!
- Stay away from the cliff edges! They are unstable and change continuously, so listen to the signs and be careful!
Other Things To Do Near Chimney Bluffs State Park
If you are visiting Chimney Bluffs State Park, you should take the time to visit nearby Sodus Point. Sodus Point is a small village in Wayne County that offers great attractions, great food, and lots of family fun!
Sodus Point Beach Park
The Sodus Point Beach Park is located only twenty minutes from Chimney Bluffs State Park. The park features a beach/swimming area, lighthouse, playground, picnic area, and grills. The park is a great place to spend a summer afternoon and the whole family will enjoy it! End the evening watching the sunset from the lighthouse.
Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum
The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum sits within the building that was once a lighthouse, destroyed in 1824 during the Civil War, and rebuilt in 1870. Today you can visit the museum, learn about the history, view artifacts, and climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse.
Beechwood State Park
Beechwood State Park is a 288 acre state park located along Lake Ontario in Sodus, NY. Beechwood State Park was once home to a girl scout camp that has since been abandoned.
However, the remnants of the camp remain and today you can see the remnants on the cabins, a pool, and a number of other buildings. Also within the park you can find great walking trails, fishing sites, and some beach access.
Huckleberry Swamp
Huckleberry Swamp is a fifteen minute drive from Chimney Bluffs State Park and is the perfect destination for a relaxing afternoon walk. The walk through Huckleberry Swamp is a two mile long, easy walk through a nature preserve and wildlife preservation area. You will likely come into contact with a variety of different wildlife and plant species.
Wolcott Falls Park
If you are a waterfall chaser, Wolcott Falls Park is a great option! Wolcott Falls Park is located in Wolcott, NY and is about a 15 minute drive from Chimney Bluffs State Park. Wolcott Falls is a 50 ft. waterfall visible from an viewing platform near the parking area.
There is also a lower viewing area, reachable with a very short hike.The hike down to the base of the falls is found near the back of the park past the playground. It is a wide gravel path that is steep but short.
When visiting New York, you will also find plenty of other state parks with waterfalls, including Watkins Glen near the Finger Lakes and Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East.
Fair Haven Beach State Park
Fair Haven Beach State Park is one of the best places near Chimney Bluffs State Park to visit for families. The park is about a 30 minute drive from Chimney Bluffs. The beach is located along the Eastern shore of Lake Ontario. While not as extensive as the bluffs in Chimney Bluffs, Fair Haven also features unique bluffs along the shoreline for viewing.
The park offers a variety of activities, including swimming, biking, hiking, sports fields, picnic areas, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, camping (tent and cabins), and in the winter months snowmobile trails, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Book Your Accommodations
Planning your next getaway? Let us help you get all the details in order! Start with your accommodations!
Book your traditional hotel accommodations using Booking! We love booking because of the wide variety of options, that can accommodate every budget and unique family needs!
Alternatively, consider booking a VRBO and having the entire place to yourself! VRBO is another great options for families because it gives you your own space and access to essential amenities like a full kitchen.
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- Maine Road Trip: 7 Adventure-Filled Stops
- 22 of the Best Things to Do in Lake George with Kids
- 13 Adventurous Things to Do in Old Forge With Kids (Adirondacks)
