We have a wonderfully diverse collection of Rochester area parks! Over 200 New York State Parks, Monroe County Parks, Town Parks, and City Parks within a 2-hour drive are available for us to enjoy, each with their own personality.
44 New York State Parks
If you visit multiple New York State Parks in one day, you only pay admission at the first park. Keep your receipt and show it at each new park that day for free entry.
Most of our beautiful parks have 2 things in common; hiking trails and water. As wonderful as both elements are, I encourage you to venture into each of these parks and discover what makes them unique!
20 Monroe County Parks
Our County parks are always free, so take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological experiences!
5 Town Parks: start with our favorites
These five parks have a unique offering of woods, wildlife, and water features to explore using pavement, hard-pack dirt, wood chips, gravel and boardwalk. There are 100+ more parks you can find on rochesterparks.org.
23 City of Rochester Parks
Many of our City of Rochester parks have beginnings embedded in Rochester’s youth. Some were designed by (and later inspired by) notable landscape architects such as Frederick Law Olmsted and Lawrence Halprin.
Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks
Each April 26 we celebrate the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, and the gift of Olmsted-designed parks left in our care.
“Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities that have a park system designed by the most revered landscape architect in American history.”
We can’t leave out amusement parks!
Oh, how we miss our amusement parks in the winter! When May comes around, you find the parks with dry-rides opening on the weekends, with the water parks opening closer to Father’s Day in mid-June.
11 National Natural Landmarks near Rochester
These National Natural Landmarks, recognized for their outstanding biological and geological resources, are all within a two-hour drive of Rochester, NY.
Fall Foliage: 6 Breathtaking Views Near Rochester
These destinations offer colorful fall foliage and varied landscapes so you can appreciate them each in their own unique way.
5 Exceptional Waterfalls Near Rochester
Think of this as a starter-set of five exceptional waterfalls near Rochester that you should absolutely visit if you haven’t already!
39 Other Great Lakes Near Rochester
Rochester is well-known for our 11 Finger Lakes and 2 beautiful Great Lakes, Ontario and Erie. But there are even more fantastic, fresh-water lakes out there to discover!
The Flower City: Exploring Rochester’s Extraordinary Flowers and Trees
Rochester became a global center for flower and tree nurseries in the mid-1800s, fostering our identity as The Flower City.
Geologic History of the Rochester Area
These day trips into Rochester’s geologic history, filled with drumlins, fossils, house-sized boulders and a meromictic lake, will leave you awe-struck!
Transcending Places: 40 Alternate Reality Destinations Around Rochester
Rather than an escape, I prefer to think of these as transcending places that encourage us to transcend space, time, and state of mind.
Which are your favorite Rochester area parks?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!