Interested in the outdoors? View all of New York’s state parks.
Go green on your next getaway. Visit parks in New York to get back to nature, whether for a day or an entire vacation. There are a lot to choose from. New York State Park's system forms a network of 200 parks and historic sites. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation preserves almost 4 million pristine acres in the Adirondacks and the Catskills. To top it off, the National Parks service oversees more than 30 sites in New York. They span all kinds of landscapes—from scenic mountains, lakes and streams to beaches and old battlefields.
Across the state—from Montauk Point's beaches to Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Area—great adventures meet natural beauty. Enjoy swimming, fishing, wildlife walks, taking in spectacular autumn foliage, and so many other activities. Places to stay in the parks range from wilderness sites for camping in the Catskill Forest Preserve, to the shores of Lake George, to the historic Glen Iris Inn beside the 600-foot-long gorge at Letchworth State Park.
Many of the parks make for great day or weekend trips from New York City. Go golfing on the challenging Black Course at Bethpage (where the US Open returns in 2009) or try a bubbling mineral bath at Saratoga Spa State Park. Be sure to visit the historic battlefield at Saratoga National Historic Park. If you like canoeing and kayaking, paddle in the Hudson at parks like Bear Mountain.
In Central New York, bike along the banks at Old Erie Canal State Park to appreciate America's most historically influential waterway. At Watkins Glen State Park, recently named one of America's Top Outdoor Locations, the gorge path that winds over and under 19 waterfalls will leave you spellbound. The high bluffs at Fair Haven Beach State Park overlook Lake Ontario sunsets.
To see a natural wonder up close in Western New York, climb to the wild Hurricane Deck on a walking tour at Niagara Falls State Park. Recently named a US Top Amazing Spot, Allegany State Park's 65,000 acres offer some of the nation's finest groomed trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
In Thousand Islands-Seaway, enjoy parks with water views everywhere you look. Go fishing for trophy salmon at Wellesley Island. Parks like Keewaydin and Long Point offer some of the best spots to enjoy adventures on the water in the Northeast.