As we have made our way through New York, we have found hundreds of incredible places, but some really make us want to return again and again.
(Please forgive us if this list features more of western/Finger Lakes/Central New York than the rest of the state, which is where we are from. We are working hard to see the entire state, but it is just the two of us, so it might take some time. Don’t worry, though; we will keep traveling and sharing.)
Honestly, this was one of the hardest articles for me to write because it was quite difficult to narrow it down to 25 places. We have found so many amazing places, so creating this list took serious contemplation.
Zurich Bog
Why We Loved It:
This park has some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes around. Regardless of when you visit, the bog has something interesting to see. As you near the pond, beware of the ground around you. You will notice it becomes bouncy and spongy. My kids really loved this park, especially when we reached the bog. They loved the way the ground felt under their feet. It is hard to explain exactly what it is like, but I guess the closest thing would be jumping on an air mattress. The ground has a bouncy give to it. It was one of the coolest places we visited in New York.
Rock City State Forest
Why We Loved It:
Wander through a forest filled with enormous quartz conglomerate rocks. You can climb on the rocks, walk through crevices, and explore caves all set in a lush forest setting. This was my favorite of all the “Rock Cities” in New York State. And did it mention it is FREE? We were able to climb on the rocks and had the place largely to ourselves. We lost the trail a few times, but the forest here is just enchanting and I can see why people decide to camp here. This place is pretty remote, so plan ahead with water and snacks.
Wellesley Island
Why We Loved It:
We have camped at a lot of places in New York State, but I don’t think any place has equaled this fantastic state park. This was easily my all-time favorite place to camp. We even have a favorite campsite, right on the St. Lawrence River and there was so much rocky terrain to spread out on. Our campsite, which we revisit every single year, is one of the best, if not the best, we have ever had. The whole family loves this place. We couldn’t see any other campers and felt like we were in our own little camping world. We could swim, fish, and jump off the rocks into the water. In addition to the scenic beauty, we had lots of wildlife that wandered in and out of our campsite. My favorite was a curious little mink.
Robert Wehle State Park
Why We Loved It:
This is one of the newer acquisitions to the New York State Parks system, and what an acquisition! The waves from Lake Ontario have carved the cliffside of this park in an amazing way. This is property belonged to Robert Wehle before it became part of the New York State Park system. He was a renowned dog breeder, and the park is extremely dog-friendly. You will need to walk a ways to reach the cliffs, but it is worth the walk. We visited this park on numerous occasions and under various weather conditions and during different seasons, and we are never disappointed. This park is as spectacular in winter as it is at the height of summer.
El Dorado Nature Preserve
Why We Loved It:
El Dorado Nature Preserve looks like it was relocated from somewhere in the Caribbean. The sandy beach and sand dunes make this an enchanting place to take a beach walk. However, there is more than just the beach at this preserve; there are wetlands, hollows, and some woods that look like something torn right from the pages of a Grimm’s fairy tale. I loved how we were able to feel like we were the only people in the world at this preserve, especially as we walked this beach.
Barcelona Falls
Why We Loved It:
Barcelona Falls was one of the most spectacular waterfalls in New York we have come across. This waterfall is unlike any other we’ve visited since this one flows right onto a beach and directly into Lake Erie. The beach was full of driftwood and rocks of all shapes and sizes. It was an overcast day when we visited, but even without the sun, this beach was completely sublime. Even better, we had this Lake Erie beach all to ourselves, which was beyond amazing and romantic.
Royalton Ravine
Why We Love It:
Royalton Ravine had the best of everything. There are some places that check all the boxes, and this is one of them. There is a suspension bridge, miles of trails, a large waterfall, and ruins with historic significance. The ruins are of a home that belonged to Belva Ann Lockwood, who was the first woman to practice law in front of the Supreme Court. The best part of this park is that it is all tucked away, hidden from the world in the woods of the town of Gasport.
Ausable Point
Why We Love It:
This is another epic camping destination. There is no end to the beautiful campsites here, which makes this place even better because visitors can choose to camp on Lake Champlain or the Ausable River. We spent much of our time at Ausable Point swimming and wading in Lake Champlain, which is surprisingly shallow and warm. We enjoyed exploring the almost endless expanse of sandy beaches, especially at sunrise and sunset, which were fantastic here. The Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area is also attached to this park, and we were able to spot all sorts of bird species from the wooden boardwalk.
Sweedler Preserve
Why We Love It:
This preserve is amazing! I’m talking waterfalls for days, for real. This is one of the few places I have seen outside of the state parks, where there is one waterfall after another as you walk down the trail. This preserve actually gets better in the fall and spring because the lack of leaves makes it easier to see the waterfalls, especially the preserve’s largest (93 feet) waterfall, as well as the spectacular views of the distant hills and the valley below.
Castle Rock
Why We Love It:
This is a fantastic hike to one of the most amazing views in the Adirondacks. There is so much to see on this hike, such as caves, rock formations, and a spectacular view of Blue Mountain Lake at the very top. There is also a trail that shoots off from the main trail that leads down to the shore of Blue Mountain Lake. I was huffing and puffing a bit on this hike, because there were some challenging spots, but it was totally worth it. When you reach the top, it is with an intense sense of accomplishment.
Sterling Nature Center
Why We Love It:
What I really love about Sterling Nature Center is that it is full of ecological diversity, and it changes with every season; there are numerous habitats at Sterling Nature Center, including lake bluffs, a rocky beach, and a great blue heron rookery. While the bluffs here are slightly smaller than the ones at Chimney Bluffs, you can get so much closer and you’ll find fewer crowds here. I especially love this park in the winter, it’s spectacular!
Labrador Hollow and Tinker Falls
Why We Love It:
Labrador Hollow is appropriately named a Unique Area; this park has some seriously cool features. There is a trail that leads to a hang glider launch area (which is also a fantastic scenic overlook), a boardwalk on the edge of Labrador Pond that is handicap accessible, and a waterfall you can walk behind. The natural beauty of Labrador Hollow truly blew me away, and we spent hours enjoying all the unique activities that Labrador Hollow had to offer.
Emery Falls
Why We Love It:
This is a beautiful park with four impressive waterfalls, but it is more than the gorgeous waterfall that makes this park stand out. Tons of stone bridges, shelters, and staircases make this a stunningly beautiful place to explore. All four of the waterfalls are fairly easy to reach. This is a really picturesque park that is beautiful all year long.
Richard Noyes Bird Sanctuary
Why We Love It:
I love this park for a number of reasons. First of all, you get the best of both worlds on Lake Ontario – chiseled cliffs and a rocky beach. The view from the overlook is breathtaking. This park is also full of wildlife, and when you visit, you can’t help but feel the intense peacefulness of the woods here. The four trails travel through various habitats, such as wooded swamp, hardwood forest, and evergreen forest. This is a gorgeous place that is definitely a hidden gem!
Sonyea State Forest
Why We Love It:
We visited this State Forest on a scorchingly hot day, and it was so refreshing to be able to hike up the creek. There are spots where we could actually swim. This state forest also has some noteworthy scenery, such as waterfalls, large rock formations, and groves of wildflowers. One thing that really intrigued me about this state forest is the rustic camping opportunities. There are some amazing campsites right along the creek.
Whetstone Gulf
Why We Love It:
I wasn’t sure about this park before I visited; you don’t hear a lot about this one. (And what I did hear made me a little intimidated.) This ended up being one of the best places we’ve visited! This park is beyond words. Two rim trails circumnavigate the park and provide bird’s eye views of the gulf from above. Several gorgeous waterfalls can be spotted from the trail, adding to the majestic loveliness of the park. This isn’t an easy hike, but it is well worth the effort!
OK Slip Falls
Why We Love It:
It is a long trek to the Falls, but as this is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Adirondacks, it is definitely worth it. The way the water flows from the top of the mountain and streams in a perfect bridal veil surrounded by a majestic forest is magnificent. This waterfall is the type to appear on the cover of National Geographic or an inspirational poster.
Gould Mill Falls
Why We Love It:
Gould Mill Falls are dazzling falls that are large enough to be dramatic but laid out in such a way as to allow visitors to get right up close. You can explore this waterfall from numerous angles, such as walking up alongside it in the splash zone and being enveloped in the mist. I was able to sit next to the top of the waterfall and watch the water tumble over.
Auger Falls
Why We Love It:
Auger Falls is a stunning waterfall, but not just for the falls themselves. The Sacandaga River flows through a narrow channel filled with large rocks and is lined by an erosion-chiseled wall along the far side of the River, creating one of the most exquisite vistas imaginable. The scenery on the trail that runs along the River is fantastic, as it loops around old trees and hollows. These are old woods that have a splendid mystic energy and add character to this hike.
Montezuma Heritage Park & Richmond Aqueduct Ruins
Why We Love It:
We came for the ruins but stayed for the gorgeous trails. The ruins are magnificent, and you can explore the surrounding area. There are 11 trails within the 160 acres of the Montezuma Heritage Park, and these trails are just incredibly beautiful and have an untamed wildness about them. Many of them are hollows within the woods, with wildflowers growing on the sides of the trails. I particularly liked the Seneca River Barge Canal Trail and Locketenders Trail.
Three Falls Woods
Why We Love It:
Three Woods Falls is definitely one of the most unique destinations we have visited and one of the most stunning. The preserve, owned by the Central New York Land Trust has something that no other destination we have found does, three large waterfalls that can be viewed all in a line across the top part of the Onondaga Escarpment. It is not something you see every day and it makes this hidden gem an absolute treasure. The falls aren’t always flowing here, but it’s absolute perfection when they are!
Echo Cliff
Why We Love It:
The Echo Cliffs is an amazing hike to a clearing at the top of Panther Mountain. The view from the top of Piseco Lake in the distance below is not something you will soon forget. This isn’t an easy hike, but when we reached the top, we definitely felt it was worth the effort.
Warsaw Falls
Why We Love It:
We have visited Warsaw Falls in the depth of winter and in the sultry Summer and it was spectacular each time we visited. After a gorgeous one mile creek hike, you will reach this incredible 80 foot waterfall, which is quite full at all times. It is an exceptionally beautiful waterfall. This is one of those waterfalls you can get under and enjoy the feeling of falling water over yourself.
Ludlowville Falls
Why We Love It:
This waterfall took my breath away. We see lots of waterfalls, and while they are all spectacular in their own way, few of them are as massive as this one without being in a large state park or swarmed with visitors. Ludlowville Falls seems like it is hidden away from the world. We have seen this waterfall in both the winter and the summer; both seasons leave their mark on this spectacular waterfall. It is incredible to see the ice and snow covering these falls. In the Summer, the blue-green water is hypnotic, and there is tons of wildlife here.
