Our Favorite 5 State Parks to Explore

Within a two-hour drive of Rochester, there are 49 New York State Parks all worthy of exploration, but try our favorite five if you haven’t already.

As different as these parks are from one another, they all have one thing in common—fresh, flowing water. Or frozen, depending on when you visit!

1. Letchworth State Park

Castile

With three incredible waterfalls, a gorge trail that is seven miles end-to-end, and a robust nature center, it’s no wonder that Letchworth State Park is at the top of many national lists of places to see. There are several scenic overlooks along the park, and you can park right next to them, making the spectacular views very accessible. You can glimpse two of the three major falls from a vehicle or from an overlook. And, Letchworth is the best state park for a fall foliage drive.

2. Taughannock Falls State Park

Ulysses

Taughannock Falls State Park‘s cascade is higher than Niagara Falls, and the highest single-drop waterfall this side of the Mississippi. Unlike the other gorge parks, this is a flat walk that makes the falls accessible to travelers of all abilities and is open year-round. Also, unlike the other gorges, you can swim in the creek. Outside the park, there is a breathtaking scenic overlook absolutely worth seeing for yourself.

3. Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen
Open late-May through mid-October

People travel from far and wide to climb the 800+ steps through the two-mile glen. Among all our incredible gorge parks, Watkins Glen is the most spectacular, mainly because of its 520′ elevation rise from the Main Entrance to the North Entrance, which affords magnificent views from above. You can walk behind cascades and through the rock walls for a truly unique experience from May through roughly mid-fall when the gorge trail closes for the winter.

4. Green Lakes State Park

Fayetteville

Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, ten miles east of Syracuse, features two turquoise-colored glacial lakes, walking trails, and a swimming beach on Green Lake. Both Round and Green Lakes are meromictic, meaning there is no mixing of surface and bottom waters in the fall or spring. Such lakes have a high potential for evidence of ancient plant and animal life. The site also contains about 20 acres of outstanding virgin mesophytic forest adjoining the lake. Round Lake is designated a National Natural Landmark.

5. Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls

People travel from around the world to witness the Niagara River’s power at Niagara Falls. On the New York side, you can stand at the crest of Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls on Goat Island, Luna Island, and Prospect Park. From the Cave of the Winds and the Crow’s Nest, you can stand close enough to be soaked! It’s both awe-inspiring and refreshing.

Which are your favorite state parks?

I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.