The more I explore New York State, the more I am blown away by the infinite number of incredible destinations in our beautiful state. There is an area south of Buffalo in and around the Allegany State Park Region that has a collection of must-see destinations for those who enjoy nature and stunning beauty, parks containing massive outcroppings of gigantic conglomerate rocks.
These colossal rocks, create these incredible city-like formations that have crevices, caves and are popular for climbing and exploring. Here are the 4 places in New York where you can explore these natural wonders.
Thunder Rocks
This was our first experience with giant conglomerate rocks. The Thunder Rocks are located in Allegany State Park. We have visited these rocks several times over the years. My kids thought this place was great when they were younger because the rocks were easy for them to climb up.
Why we love it: If you are already visiting Allegany State Park, you can easily find this portion of the park. The rocks are easy to climb, and all the ones that young children can climb aren’t too high. This is a great place to give rock climbing a try. There are also wide, open areas within the rocks where you can spread out and escape the crowds.
What to Know Before You Go: This is an extremely popular destination within Allegany State Park. If you want to have it to yourself, you will need to arrive early in the day. Most of the crowds tend to stay in the front area of the Thunder Rocks. If you walk further back into the woods, the crowds thin and you can enjoy climbing on the rocks without throngs of people around you.
Rock City Park
This is a lovely park located just outside Olean, New York. It is one of two privately owned parks on our list. It’s an excellent place to visit on a hot day, as it stays much cooler on the forest floor.
Why We Love It: Rock City Park is the world’s largest exposure of Conglomerate Rock. This park is just magnificent. There are lots of crevices and caves at Rock City Park that you can explore. This particular park has some of the tallest and largest conglomerate rock formations. This is a great place to take some stunning photos. Make sure to take some time to visit the gift shop. We love rocks and gems, and the gift shop here has an impressive and extensive collection at extremely affordable prices.
What to Know Before You Go: Be sure to check the weather before you visit. If the weather is bad, the park will close to visitors. Although there are signs everywhere warning people not to climb on the rock, some people will inevitably try anyway. This can be dangerous here. Many of the rocks are moss-covered and extremely slippery.
Rock City State Forest
This collection of giant rocks is located in a New York State forest that shares its name. Like many other conglomerate rock outcroppings, this area features numerous caves, passageways, and crevices that invite exploration. When you visit, you truly feel surrounded and dwarfed by these immense rocks.
Why We Love It: Rock City State Forest is hardly ever crowded. We had the entire place to ourselves, more or less. We were free to climb and explore to our heart’s content. The collection of rocks spread out over a large area, and we spent hours exploring it. The best part is that this forest, unlike the other destinations on this list, is completely free!
What To Know Before You Go: The Rock City State Forest is extremely remote. We lost our GPS long before we reached the rocks. There are no bathrooms or water available. Please ensure you are fueled up, have water, and use the restroom before arriving. Also, it was slightly buggy when we visited. The horseflies were relentless. Make sure you bring bug repellent.
Panama Rock Scenic Park
We’ve visited this park a number of times, and as my kids have grown older, our time here has only improved. I think the most shocking thing about our visits here is that we had the place to ourselves for the most part. This park is gorgeous, and it truly feels like stepping into a mythical world.
Why We Love It: As previously mentioned, this park appears to attract fewer visitors than the others on our list, which makes exploring Panama Rocks even more enjoyable. We love discovering caves, crevices, and, of course, climbing on the rocks. The owners not only permit these activities but also encourage them, all while prioritizing safety. They take the time to speak with children before you head out onto the trail, explaining what to expect and how to enjoy the experience safely.
What To Know Before You Go: Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle, as only non-disposable bottles are allowed on the trail. The trail itself is one mile long, but feel free to explore the surrounding rocks. It can get quite chilly near the rocks, even on hot days. During our visit in mid-August, we noticed ice and snow in some of the caves and crevices. It’s a good idea to bring a hoodie for warmth.
Have you visited one, some or all of these amazing destinations? What did you think? Which was your favorite? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.
you missed one. Moss Island just outside of Little Falls in Herkimer County is a great place to explore unique rock formations
That definitely looks interesting! We’ll have to check it out! Thank you for sharing this with us.
I agree that Moss Island in Little Falls should be on the list! The beautiful rock formations and potholes that were formed by glaciers are amazing! Moss Island is along the canal by Lock 17. It is also next to the Empire State Bike Trail!🤗
Ice caves mountain is another interesting place to check out.
https://nystateparks.blog/2018/07/31/the-ellenville-fault-ice-caves-a-national-natural-landmark/
Thank you for the tip! Looks like a place we’d love to explore.
Thanks for the list, looking forward to checking them out when I’m in the areas ☺️ I was expecting to see Moss Island on the list, but maybe on a future list, after a visit.
I visited Rock City state forest and had it all to myself! The rocks and crevices are amazing. You definitely want to keep small kids close by when exploring this area.
Panama Rocks is truly amazing. You feel like you are on an adventure in a Pirates of the Caribbean or Lord of the Rings! Besides all the exploring and stunning beauty, there are massive trees and root systems that have grown on the rock faces like I’ve never seen anywhere else. I wish I could attach photos!