Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Visitors to Westchester County’s Rockefeller State Park Preserve are greeted by 40 miles of trails running through over 1,770 acres of idyllic countryside. Donated by the Rockefeller family in 1983, the trails consist of crushed stone that was laid out by John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Jr. during the early 1900s.
Whether you choose to walk, bike, jog, or ride a horse, you’ll be graced with a sweet caress of lovely views at this lovely state park. Swan Lake and the Pocantico River sparkle in every season, and the adorable bridges present perfect photo opportunities. They can be found on the 13 Bridges Loop Trail.
Insider’s tip: Pack your binoculars, as the preserve is home to more than 200 bird species.
Fittingly located in Pleasantville, a visit to this pretty pastoral park is well, pleasant. You’ll be lulled by the calming sound of birdsong, refreshed by a dip in the lake , and energized by a snowshoe through the forest during the winter months.
About The Author: Leah Wersebe
Leah is a TV aficionado and a recovering 9-5 office worker. Her permanent home is in New York, but she has traveled to over 25 countries in search of the perfect latte. In 2022, shes temporarily living in Galicia, Spain. Leah loves being in debt so has degrees from universities in international politics, film, and wildlife conservation. Follow her on Twitter at .
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Straddling the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, Minnewaska is characterized by its rocky terrain, waterfalls, and cliffs across densely forested 22,257 acres. The park is best explored through the roughly 50 miles of hiking trails, letting both the adventurous and casual hiker experience these natural wonders. The Awosting Falls Trail is quite doable and leads hikers to a clear view of the 60-foot falls. The Orange Trail ventures onward to Lake Minnewaska . The lakes dramatic cliffs are viewable from the parking lot, but even better views await at Kempton Ledge. With such striking geology, its no wonder that the area is popular for rock climbing and bouldering, but its perfectly okay to just take it all in from a scenic overlook with your picnic basket.
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Campgrounds Near Me: Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park has been voted as New York State’s top outdoor attraction by USA Today, stretching across over 14,000 acres in Wyoming and Livingston Counties along 17 miles of the course of the Genesee River. The park, which is located 35 miles southwest of the city of Rochester, was originally established in 1906 following the donation of William Pryor Letchworth’s Glen Iris Estate to the state of New York. Today, the park is best known as the home of gorgeous Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls and the spectacular “Grand Canyon of the East,” which features 550-foot rock walls and stunning panoramic views. Visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation at the park throughout the year, including chances for hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, fishing, hot air ballooning, cross-country skiing, and geocaching. Overnight accommodations range from full-service campsites and rustic rental cabins to the spectacular Glen Iris Inn, which features a public restaurant and hotel rooms and suites.
1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427, Phone: 585-493-3600
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Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is where you go to get the money shot of Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River. The park has dozens of trails and different levels of difficulty. If youre not a hiker, but you want to see that killer view, or youre looking for accessible vistas, you can drive to the top of the mountain.
A beautiful merry-go-round is open during the peak season in the park. In addition to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, there is a swimming pool thats open in the summer months. You can stay at the Bear Mountain Inn if you want to finish out the day with a hot shower in a rustic cabin setting atmosphere.
- Entrance Fee: $10 USD per car during peak season and weekends all year round.
- Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year
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Adirondack Gateway Rv Resort & Campground Gansevoort
Offers great amenities and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.
For those looking for a glamping experience, there are few RV resorts as fun and scenic as the Adirondack Gateway. This resort is located in the heart of New York and has a number of fun, family-friendly activities and facilities, including a swimming pool, playgrounds, pet areas, and a catch-and-release pond.
There are a number of ways to enjoy your stay. Full-hookup RV sites and tent camping are available. Those looking to enjoy the finer things in life can check out their premium cabin rentals.
Branches Of Niagara Campground & Resort
Image Source:tripadvisor.com
Now this is one facility that truly deserves to call itself a resort! Located on the popular tourist destination of Grand Island, the facility is also set along eight acres of picturesque lake. When you park your RV here for your New York vacation, youll also be conveniently close to some of the states most famous attractions such as Niagara Falls, Buffalo Zoo, Fantasy Island Fun Park, and Marineland.
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The 11 Most Beautiful State Parks In New York
New York State has preserved many of its most pristine and remarkable landscapes within more than 200 state parks and historic sites. Fortunately, much of this stunning scenery is open for public access and recreation in line with conservation efforts. From Long Island to the Great Lakes, these 11 New York State parks show the Empire State at its most beautiful.
Dubbed the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth is defined by a deep gorge carved out by the roaring Genesee River. Besides its scenic cliffs and vistas, the park boasts three massive waterfalls, simply known as the lower, middle, and upper falls. The choppy waters are off-limits for swimming here, but white water rafting and inflatable kayak trips let visitors brave a stretch of the lower rapids. More than 60 miles of hiking trails navigate forested areas and lead to all three waterfalls and other scenic lookouts. For an even higher vantage point, hot air balloon rides give a birds-eye view. Letchworth offers a range of accommodation, including campsites, cabins, and a handful of fully-equipped lodges.
Best For Lake Activities: Fahnestock State Park
Outdoor enthusiasts will fawn over the endless activities found at Fahnestock State Park. Located less than two hours from New York City, this park is in both Putnam and Duchess Counties and has 80 campsites that feature natural rock ridges that create private alcove for guests. Many travelers visit this park for stunning lakeside views of Canopus Lake where youll find boating, fishing and swimming.
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Camp Out Under The Stars In New York State
Did you know that there are more than 8,500 campsites in New York’s state parks? Everything from glamping and pitching a tent on the ground is possible, and even trailers and recreational vehicles have their place in NY state parks. Most campsites have basic amenities such as a picnic table, fire pit and restrooms close by to meet the various needs of campers.
Everything from ocean front camping on Long Island to stunning views of the Hudson River, beautiful waterfalls, lakes, canyons, gorges and wilderness for as far as the eye can see is here in New York state. Beyond camping, there’s also a ton to see and do, including plenty of hiking, fishing and boating, as well as a whole host of other activities through the entire camping season. To ensure that there’s something going on when you book your trip, please check the New York state parks calendar of events.
To get started, just click on the New York state park campsite area closest to you, or click at random and see where serendipity takes you!
Best cities for camping near } State Parks
Moreau Lake State Park
Located in the beautiful foothills of the Adirondacks, Moreau Lake State Park offers more than 27 miles of hiking and biking trails. It’s a natural paradise with adventure awaiting visitors at every grove and rocky ridge throughout the heavily forested region. For a truly unique camping experience with the comforts of home, check out one of six cabins available year-round.
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Saratoga Spa State Park
There are so many reasons to love Saratoga Spa State Park. Among the most interesting is the fact that drinking the water here is thought to heal what ails you.
Believed by the Mohawk and Iroquois tribes to have healing powers, the water from the mineral springs was thought to cure everything from diabetes to heartburn. Despite there being no proof of this, many people rushed the area to bottle its water, sparking the state’s creation of Saratoga Spa State Park in an effort to preserve the springs.
Today, the park attracts visitors hoping to do much more than sample its H2O. Miles of trails lead explorers on adventures through the verdant grounds, while two swimming pools entice smaller travelers to cannonball into the crisp water. Another bonus: two on-site golf courses.
On a more cultural note, the park boasts classical buildings and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, as well as the National Museum of Dance, Spa Little Theater, and of course, the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.
Chenango Valley State Park
- Wildlife viewing
- Group pavilions
Chenango Valley State Park boasts two kettle lakes Lily and Chenango. Fishermen can spot trout, bass, perch, or bullhead. Whereas bird watchers may glimpse woodpeckers, nuthatches, warblers, and thrushes. The lakes are also home to herons, ducks, and kingfishers. Golf lovers will appreciate the 18-hole golf course. And in winter, visitors can engage in sledding, or cross-country skiing.
The campground itself features 184 campsites and 24 cabins. There are also three pavilions which can accommodate from 50 to 800 people. Great for birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations.
The rates begin at USD$ 15 nightly per site and USD$ 87.50 per cabin. Prices for the pavilions range from USD$ 75 to USD$ 200.
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Camping Near Me: Hamlin Beach State Park
Hamlin Beach State Park is a charming 1,287-acre state park located on the banks of majestic Lake Ontario, within the picturesque town of Hamlin in upstate New York. The park was first opened to the public as Northwest Beach Park in 1929, set on the former farmstead of area settler Charles Wolf. Civilian Conservation Corps architecture remains today, including preserved historic beachfront and campground structures. 264 beachfront tent and trailer campsites are open to the public throughout the year, which offer use of amenities like modern showers, dump stations, and day-use picnic sites. All overnight guests can explore nature trails like the Yanty Creek Nature Trail, which features interpretive markers explaining the camp’s history, or enjoy opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating on the beach’s shoreline.
1 Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin, NY 14464, Phone: 585-964-2462
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Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is a fairly new national park located in Auburn. As such, sections of it may be under renovation, depending on when you visit.
This important landmark preserves and recounts the history of Harriet Tubman, an incredibly brave woman who freed herself from slavery and then became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, emancipating many other slaves throughout her life.
The park is home to three main buildings: the Tubman Home for the Aged , which Tubman founded in 1896 Harriet Tubman’s house and the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, which was built due to her fundraising abilities.
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The Most Stunning Western New York State Parks To Explore This Year
The state of New York is huge. Its home to 180 state parks and so many other public lands that it can be difficult to choose which spots to visit. Hopefully, we can help! Western New York is home to so many absolutely beautiful spots. Were going to give you the run-down on the best western New York State Parks here.
New York is separated into quite a few regions. For the purposes of organization and consistency, well separate western NY into four separate regions that are consistent with the way that the New York State Parks system organizes them. If youd like to book a campsite or find the trail maps on their mobile app, itll be easy to find them!
There are so many state park facilities in western New York, in addition to state forests and other natural areas. We had to leave quite a few off the list. It would be so overwhelming. Weve specifically left off ones that really center around their marinas. We dont partake in that boater life, so we really cant offer any expert opinions.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Just down the road from Robert H. Treman, Buttermilk Falls boasts a spectacular gorge and waterfalls of its own. As at Enfield Glen, the Buttermilk creek has eroded shale and limestone overtime with stunning results. The main attraction, Buttermilk Falls, tops out at 165 feet high, with impressive torrents cascading to the pool below. Upstream, hikers will find several smaller waterfalls and rock formations the most famous being the 42-foot-tall Pinnacle Rock, standing upright in the middle of the creek bed. The trail forks into either the Rim Trail or Bear Trail, which leads back around the gorges rim or out to Lake Treman along a meadow path, respectively. Reward your efforts afterwards with a visit to one of Ithacas cafes or breweries. Keep in mind that Buttermilk falls can run nearly dry without adequate rainfall, whereas Treman is more reliable
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Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Lazy River
One of the best options for family fun.
Good ol family fun awaits you at Yogi Bears Jellystone Park. Jam-packed with things to do and accommodation options, Yogi Park is one of the most popular RV parks in upstate New York. Fill your days with outdoorsy fun at the swimming pools, water park, lazy river, mini-golf course, or laser tag.
There are numerous ways to enjoy your stay. Choose from rustic tent camping spots, RV sites, or fully-equipped cabin and cottage rentals. The park features at-home comforts like a camp store, clean restrooms, laundry facilities, and even a farmers market.
Best For Mountain Views: North
Known as the biggest campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, North-South Lake Campground offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains as well as several lakes. Hikers can enjoy the popular Escarpment Trail for a short hike or other strenuous trails that lead to vistas including Alligator Rock, Newmans Ledge, Boulder Rock and Artists Rock. On a clear day, some of these spots offer views of five different states. With over 200 tent and trailer sites, this campground is also great for fishing, swimming and picnicking.
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New York Campgrounds: Fahnestock State Park Campground
Fahnestock State Park Campground is the beautiful public campground area of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, which stretches across undisturbed lands in Putnam and Dutchess Counties on the banks of stunning Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. The park is a popular year-round destination for water activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing for bass, perch, pickerel, and brook and rainbow trout. Lovely Fahnestock Winter Park showcases 15 miles of cross-country and snowshoeing trails, along with a private sledding terrain area. A scenic campground is located along the park’s natural rock ridges, featuring primitive campsites decked out with day-use picnic sites, fire rings, and barbecue grills. On weekends, the park’s nature center offers staff-led hikes and nature activities, along with access to public environmental exhibits.
Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Putnam Valley, NY 10579, Phone: 845-225-7207
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Taconic State Park Copake Falls Area
Whether youre in the mood for a more rustic camping experience or seeking a more “home-like” experience, Taconic State Parks Copake Falls Area has a perfect option for you. It has 45 tent sites, 25 tent platforms, and 36 trailer sites, as well as cabins with electricity, lights, hot and cold running water, a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, a dining area, a picnic table, and outdoor campfire ring with a grill. All sites offer easy access to the park’s scenic nature trails, including rushing streams and waterfalls.
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