One of the best parts of exploring all that New York has to offer and sharing them with you is when we stumble upon truly incredible places. The Sterling Nature Center was one of those places. This nature center has so many different habitats; lakeshore with bluffs, wetlands, woodlands, conifer forests, orchards, and meadows. Sterling Nature Center is truly an amazing destination.
Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site, at no additional cost to you.
Hiking the Sterling Nature Center
We had lovely weather on the day we visited the Sterling Nature Center, which made our hike even better and brought out the nature around us. More than 11 trails at the Sterling Nature Center will take you through lots of different habitats. It was unbelievable how much diversity lay within the borders of this preserve. Once you pull into the parking area, you will find a billboard area that provides maps and brochures. You will want to grab a map. It might not seem complicated, but the park has a myriad of trails.
Several trails lead out of the parking lot. Take a moment to look at the map to decide what it is that you most want to see. We found that the nature center may not look like it could eat up hours of your time, but believe me, certain areas will draw you in, and you want to linger and enjoy. Incidentally, we went on a Saturday morning, and we had the place almost completely to ourselves.
Great Blue Heron Rookery
One of the most incredible parts of Sterling Nature Center is the Beaver Wetlands, where a great blue heron rookery is located. This area of the Nature Center is just stunningly beautiful; it is just teeming with wildlife. As we hiked, we saw snakes, frogs, and loads of birds along the water and through the wooded parts of the trail. The nesting time for the heron runs from March through July, with an incubation period of 27-29 days and a nesting period of 49-81 days. When we visited, we saw at least 10 occupied nests. Visiting late in spring provided us with warmer weather and a chance to spot the young using binoculars.
Enjoying Lake Ontario
We wanted to spend some time on the lakeshore, so we took the trails that lead us to the Lakeshore Trail. There are two trails from the parking lot that lead to the lakeshore. Taking the Lakeview Trail to the Lake Trail is the least steep way to reach the lake.
There are a lot of downed trees along the lakeshore, but in a way, this just adds to the beauty of the place. If you walk westward along the beach, you will pass wetlands as well as bluffs if you walk far enough. The water and beach, at least when we were here, reminded us of being in the Caribbean. Just the way the trees lined the shore and the color of the water was a deep turquoise on that day.
Swimming in Lake Ontario at Sterling Nature Center is prohibited as there is no lifeguard on the beach. However, there is nothing said about wading. On a nice, hot day, this is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
McIntyre Bluffs
The McIntyre Bluffs are located on the west end of the Nature Center. There is a parking area located on McIntyre Road just for the Bluffs. The trail leads visitors to the top of the Bluffs, where they can take in a fantastic view of these sculpted cliffs with blue waters of Lake Ontario as a backdrop. If you are looking for a dramatic sunset picture, this is a great place to get it. There is a trail that leads down to the beach as well, where you can walk in the looming shadow of the bluffs.
The McIntyre Bluffs have the added bonus of not being nearly as crowded as Chimney Bluffs State Park while being every bit just as incredible.
A Multitude of Nature and Wildlife
This park is appropriately named a nature center. We saw so much wildlife and natural beauty on our trip; it was beyond belief. We were literally assaulted with hundreds of monarch butterflies when we first stepped onto the trail. They were everywhere. It felt magical.
There is a deck that overlooks Lake Ontario from the clifftop. As we stood there admiring the view, what should swoop past us, making loop de loops over the lake, but a bald eagle. It was fascinating to watch. It was like he (or she) was putting on an acrobatic show just for us.
As I mentioned before, there are so many different habitats within the Sterling Nature Center. Seeing all the different sorts of natural beauty in one location was stunning. There is literally something for everyone here.
Other Activities to do at the Sterling Nature Center
Just because the snow starts flying, which it will inevitably do in Upstate New York, doesn’t mean there aren’t still activities to enjoy at Sterling Nature Center. Strap on a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes and enjoy the exquisite beauty of the winter world. The Nature Center is open all year long. Snowmobiling is also permitted but only on designated trails.
If you are looking for a quiet place to meditate, the Sterling Nature Center has a plethora of park benches placed on the trails. Visitors can sit quietly and appreciate the allure of nature around them.
There is a deck with picnic tables and a grill just off the parking lot in the meadow, where butterflies surrounded us. The main picnic pavilion is near the parking lot entrance and can be rented for large parties.
We noticed a lot of firepits along the lakeshore, where it appears that people had enjoyed beachside fires. Not sure if this is permitted, but it looks fun.
Winter at Sterling Nature Center
If you think summer is amazing at this gorgeous nature center, you won’t believe how incredible winter can be here. We make sure we visit Sterling Nature Center at least once during the winter, especially around sunset. If you aren’t a fan of hiking in winter, I can commiserate. I used to dread winter. However, in recent years, I have really learned to see the beauty of getting out and hiking at one of the most beautiful times of the year.
I absolutely love the Lake Ontario lakeshore at Sterling Nature Center in the Winter. Its beauty is immeasurable. The rocks and trees are covered in ice, creating fantastic ice formations, but then you add in the impressive bluff, and you have a seriously incredible destination. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Out and About with Nova
This is a great dog-friendly destination. Dogs are welcome here, but they must be leashed and this goes without saying; owners need to clean up after them. There are lots of trails here to traverse as well as the long stretch of beach, which is perfect for your four-legged friends to explore.
Nova really loved her hike here. She is particularly fond of snow, and there was plenty of it at Sterling Nature Center. She had the best time scampering along the shoreline at the base of the bluffs.
Important: The trails above the bluffs can be dangerous. Make sure you keep a close eye on your dog and don’t give them too long of a lead.
Address
15730 Jensvold Road, Sterling, New York
Google Map Link
Other Places to Visit
East Bay
Lake Ontario has many beautiful beaches along its lengthy coast. Like East Bay, many are hidden gems, where beachcombers and Lake lovers can stroll the stretch of land that juts across the top of the Bay.
Explore the Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes
One of the many draws of the Finger Lakes is the multitude of waterfalls and gorges carved out by glaciers and erosion thousands of years ago.
Chimney Bluffs State Park
This State Park is a natural wonder, located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in the town of Wolcott. These giant formations were created by glaciers in the last ice age and have changed over time due to erosion from the weather.