Unlike most New York State Parks, Monroe County parks are free. Take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological experiences! It’s an amazing backyard! The 20 parks below are listed in order of their size.
1. Mendon Ponds
Highlights: 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms, on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks due to its geologic history and presence of significant kames, eskers, and kettles, Wild Wings, birdsong trail among other excellent hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, sledding, camping for scout and youth groups only.
Our Experience | Park Map | More Info
READ NEXT
Geologic History of the Rochester Area:
5 Locations to Explore
2. Black Creek
Highlights: 1,505-acres, 5 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, sledding.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
43 New York State Parks
Within a 2-hour Drive
3. Durand Eastman
Highlights: 977 acres, arboretum, swimming beach on Lake Ontario, steep wooded slopes and valleys, small lakes, sledding, golf, 5 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
74 Rochester Experiences
that Make Great Gifts
4. Northampton
Highlights: 973 acres, Springdale Farm, downhill ski slope (ski lessons from Swain), a model airplane field, 5 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
READ NEXT
15 Places for Downhill and
Cross-Country Skiing
5. Genesee Valley
Highlights: 800 acres, Olmsted-designed park, intersection of the Erie Canal and Genesee River, connection point for the Canalway Trail, Genesee Riverway Trail, and Genesee Valley Greenway, 2 golf courses, organized recreation, paved pathways popular with bicyclists and joggers, kayak & canoe rentals.
Our Experience | Park Map | More Info
READ NEXT
8 Gorge Trails
6. Churchville
Highlights: 742 acres, golf and disc golf courses, one of three Monroe County Parks with an outdoor ice skating rink
READ NEXT
Water Trails: 58 Places to
Explore Rochester’s Waterways
7. Greece Canal
Highlights: 577 acres, located along the Erie Canal, one of two Monroe County parks with a dog park, 4 hiking trails all mainly easy/level.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
31 Quirky Rochester-Area
Roadside Attractions
8. Webster
Highlights: 550 acres, the only County park with camping available to families and not just scout troops, sledding, access to Lake Ontario (no swimming), hiking trails.
READ NEXT
39 Natural Swimming Areas
9. Oatka Creek
Highlights: 461-acres, exceptional trout fishing from both banks along Oatka Creek, mostly undeveloped, hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
73 Trails that Are Not
Just a Walk in the Park
10. Ellison
Highlights: 447 acres, our first county park, natural woodlands combined with steep slopes, in the Irondequoit Creek flood plain. One of two Monroe County parks with a dog park, one of three with an outdoor ice skating rink, 5 trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
Our Experience | Park Map | More Info
READ NEXT
25 Incredible Creeks
11. Powder Mills
Highlights: 380 acres, fish hatchery, steep hillsides, creekside meadows and wetlands, downhill skiing, trout fishing in Irondequoit Creek, 5 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty including the Daffodil Trail, winter ski lessons from Swain.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
40 Public Gardens
12. Lucien Morin
Highlights: 348 acres, located on the north side of Ellison Park, marsh area for canoe and kayak access to the bay, hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
READ NEXT
132 Day Trips
from Rochester, NY
13. Seneca
Highlights: 297 acres, linear park along the Genesee River, Olmsted-designed park, Seneca Park Zoo, pedestrian bridge over river connecting to Maplewood Park and the Genesee Riverway Trail, 6 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
Our Experience | Trail Map | More Info
READ NEXT
5 Places in the City to
Enjoy the Genesee River
14. Highland
Highlights: 150 acres, Olmsted-designed park, arboretum, Lilac Fest, Lamberton Conservatory, Warner Castle Sunken Garden, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, reservoir, Highland Bowl, , one of three Monroe County Parks with an outdoor ice skating rink, paved pathways with sizable changes in elevation, one of the 5 pre-historic Pinnacle Hills: Cobb’s, Pinnacle, Highland and Mount Hope, plus Oak Hill which is now the University of Rochester’s campus.
Our Experience | Park Map | More Info
READ NEXT
33 House and Garden Tours
15. Lehigh Valley Trail
Highlights: 15 mile linear park, hard packed gravel, crosses the Genesee River to connect with the Genesee Valley Greenway, the only one of our Monroe County Parks utilizing an old railroad line. There are dozens of access points, most at crossroads.
Park Map | Brochure | More Info
READ NEXT
6 Hidden Places to Find This Weekend
16. Abraham Lincoln
Highlights: 182 acres, on Irondequoit Bay, hiking trails are each less than a mile with varying degrees of difficulty.
READ NEXT
33 Roadside Waterfalls
17. Irondequoit Bay West
Highlights: 147 acres, completely undeveloped, 2,000 feet of Irondequoit Bay shoreline that is incredibly popular but difficult to park.
18. Tryon
Highlights: 82 undeveloped acres, west-side of Irondequoit Creek, Lucien Morin runs on the east-side, popular for mountain biking and dog walking.
READ NEXT
Fall Foliage: 5 Breathtaking Views
19. Ontario Beach
Highlights: 39 acres, historic 1905 Dentzel Carousel, walkable pier, Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, restaurants, original Abbots Custard, swimming beach on Lake Ontario, concerts, organized recreation, events, a short walk from the Rochester’s hidden sidewalk.
Our Experience | Park Map | More Info
READ NEXT
Nature Centers, Wildlife Preserves,
Management Areas, Refuges, and Observatories
20. Devil’s Cove
Highlights: 18 acres, park will remain natural and undeveloped, is accessible only from the water.
Note: This map shows all of the Monroe County parks. It lists 21 parks because Irondequoit Bay Marine by Seabreeze was recently transferred to the state to manage.
