Spanning 360,000 acres of diverse parkland, from serene lakesides to majestic waterfalls, New York is adorned with an unmatched natural splendor. From its highest mountain to its wildest river, you can expect to see some of the greatest natural landmarks and landscapes in the country.
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of its spectacular parks and sites system, New York invites residents and out-of-towners alike to embrace the beauty of the Empire State in 2024. Whether you visit these New York parks to unwind out in nature or to win prizes with the state’s Centennial Challenge, fun experiences and gorgeous sights are guaranteed.
With over 200 State Parks and Historic Sites, choosing where to celebrate this Centennial may pose a challenge. So, if you find yourself wondering where to go or which park to explore first, here are 8 of the best State Parks to visit in New York in 2024.
Watkins Glen State Park
Named Tripadvisor’s #1 New York State Park in 2023 and 2024, Watkins Glen is the most popular of the Finger Lake parks, attracting a total of 1.2 million visitors last year. Located in the village of Watkins Glen with Seneca Lake to the north, this Schuyler County nature haven became an official state-operated park in 1906. Since then, its awe-inspiring natural beauty has made it a crowd favorite in the parks system, drawing visitors from across the state, country, and world.
Spanning 778 acres, the highlight feature of Watkins Glen is Glen Creek, a spellbinding landscape carved by glaciers and streams over thousands of years. The park’s most popular path, the Gorge Trail, guides hikers along the 400-foot-deep creek through 200-foot gorge walls. The trail also boasts 19 waterfalls, 800 stone steps, and several stone bridges. Alternative rim trails overlooking the gorge offer a bird's-eye perspective, and visitors can also enjoy the park’s Olympic-size pool, picnic facilities, and scenic campsites.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
About an hour and a half drive from New York City, high on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is an Ulster County sensation. Purchased by the state and opened in 1993, the park has a later start than Watkins Glen, but its natural splendor is easily on level with the famous Finger Lakes gem. Minnewaska’s beauty also extends far further, encompassing 24,000 acres.
Famous for its rugged alpine terrain, numerous waterfalls, lush hardwood forests, and clear sky lakes, the park’s vast beauty is best explored over several days. Camping in the park is available from mid-May through mid-November (weather permitting), and autumn is a favorite time for visitors looking to take in the fall foliage across 50 miles of maintained trails. Summertime, however, is more popular with those wishing to enjoy the lifeguarded swimming areas at Lake Awosting and Lake Minnewaska. The rain-fed sky lakes are known for their astonishingly clear crystalline waters, especially popular with paddlers and scuba divers.
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is another sublime alpine park with some of the prettiest natural scenes in the state. Originally opened in 1910, by 1914, the park welcomed more than 1 million people every year. In recent years, the number has climbed to over 2 million annual visitors, making it one of the most popular parks in New York—and for good reason.
Situated on the Hudson River’s west bank, the 5,205-acre park is famous for its namesake peak. Bear Mountain, one of the most well-known summits in New York's Hudson Highlands, famously offers year-round recreation and some truly spectacular vistas. Summertime is popular with picnickers and paddlers at Hessian Lake, while wintertime comes alive with ice skaters and sledders. With over 50 trails spanning 200 miles, whether exploring the park by foot or cross-country skiing, Bear Mountain is a delight in every season.
Niagara Falls State Park
Originally established as the Niagara Reservation in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest State Park in the country and the most visited in New York. Famous for blending tourism with conservation, the park’s namesake attraction welcomes over 20 million people each year between the United States and Canada. With 3,160 tons of water spilling over Niagara Falls every second, this world-famous landmark is a bucket list sight that everyone should behold at least once in their lifetime.
Open 365 days a year, the park’s fusion of natural and man-made attractions means there is something for absolutely everyone to enjoy. Whether navigating beneath the falls to witness the powerful cascade from the Hurricane Deck or hopping aboard the Niagara Scenic Trolley for a 3-mile guided tour of the park, your adventure can be as thrilling or relaxed as you like. The 400-acre parkland also features miles of hiking trails for those looking to explore the area by foot, including the Great Gorge Scenic Overlook Trail.
Letchworth State Park
For a quieter park experience with gorgeous waterfall views, Letchworth State Park offers the best of both worlds. With just under 1 million visitors in 2023, this monikered "Grand Canyon of the East" certainly gets its fair share of crowds, but compared to Niagara Falls, the retreat is much more easygoing. Located in northwestern New York, the 14,427-acre park follows the mighty Genesee River through a gorge and boasts three large waterfalls as well as 50 smaller cascades along the river’s tributaries.
Encompassed by dense forests, Letchworth features horseback riding trails, 66 miles of hiking trails, countless campsites, and various picnic areas. In addition to more conventional State Park activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking, and hiking from May through October, the park also offers hot air balloon rides over the park, weather permitting. The park transforms into a winter wonderland of ice and snow in the colder months, offering snowmobiling, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Whirlpool State Park
Heading back to Niagara County, Whirlpool State Park is a 10-minute drive from the famous falls and promises its own unique sights and experiences. While often overshadowed by its neighboring cascade, the small but mighty 109-acre park has spectacular views of the Niagara River, Niagara Whirlpool, and lower Niagara Gorge. Whether you visit as a follow-up from the falls or stop by Whirlpool State Park on its own, the sights will not disappoint.
The park’s multi-use recreational trail is a great way to take in the views for those wanting a more easygoing path. Other trails like the Niagara Gorge Rim will grant stunning viewpoints of the Whirlpool and rapids. From there, you can descend to the park’s second level to the Whirlpool Rapids Trail, where hikers can follow the river’s racing edge. As for those seeking a more relaxing time in Whirlpool State Park, there are also countless picnic zones, designated fishing spots, and a playground.
Green Lakes State Park
East of bustling Syracuse in the Onondaga County village of Manlius, Green Lakes State Park is home to 2 of the most striking lakes in the country. Bordered by dense upland forest, the glacial Round and Green Lakes are also meromictic lakes, meaning they have distinct layers of unmixed surface and bottom waters. As a result, ancient flora and fauna thrive beneath their waters. But for those coming to Green Lakes State Park for its namesake views, Green Lake’s astonishing emerald hue is the star of the park.
Resulting from unusually high levels of calcium carbonate, the green waters are incredibly photogenic. Summertime on a sunny day is the best time to behold the vibrant green in all its glory, whether strolling the shore or renting a rowboat or kayak from the beachside boat house. Summertime is also popular with golfers hoping to check out the park’s famous 18-hole course, while autumn in the park is favored for the gorgeous fall foliage and winter is appreciated for the 15 miles of cross-country ski trails.
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Perched on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Ontario, Chimney Bluffs State Park is another New York nature haven with striking views. While the lake is a prominent centerpiece of the park, its surrounding landscape makes the scene that much more jaw-dropping. Towering 150-feet, the glacier-carved bluffs above Lake Ontario are a dramatic sight, making this State Park one of the best hiking spots in the state.
Out of the park’s 4.37 miles of trails, there is a path for everyone. For families with children or less experienced hikers, an accessible paved trail leads to Lake Ontario’s shoreline. But for the more experienced hiking enthusiast, the 1-mile Bluff Trail is a must. Granting sweeping vistas high along the Chimney Bluffs, these majestic views make the challenging trek work every step.
Offbeat Towns to Visit in New YorkFrom Canandaigua in the Finger Lakes Region to Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains, each of these towns has its own special attractions and attributes that make it stand out as one of a kind.
Final Thoughts
For those hoping to commemorate the New York State Parks and Historic Sites Centennial, what better way is there to celebrate than visiting the state’s top-rated parks? Whether visiting the country’s oldest state park at iconic Niagara Falls or opting for a more wilderness-focused hike at Chimney Bluffs, this famous park system promises unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
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Mina Wiebe August 7 2024 in Places
