Discover the 13 Best State Parks in NY – From a Local

Post summary: 13 best state parks in New York you can’t miss.

Sure, most people know about NYC’s skyscrapers, restaurants, and landmarks but have you been to the best state parks in New York?

With beautiful hikes, waterfalls, and scenic views, I can almost guarantee that one trip to a NY state park will make you forget the city exists altogether.

In this post, I’m highlighting some of my absolute favorite New York state parks that you’ll want to add to your must-visit list next time you’re nearby.

Let’s dive in!

Remember to Leave No Trace

It’s no secret that outdoor spaces continue to suffer the negative impacts of exposure on social media (and the internet in general).

Areas like the Adirondacks are particularly affected because they lack the much of the funding, trail systems, and oversight to mitigate the negative resource and social impacts caused by overcrowding, overuse, and pollution.

So, in in collective effort to keep the beautiful places listed above wild and free for generations to come, please leave all areas better than you found them and practice the Principles of Leave No Trace.

The Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles are built on scientific research, aiming to minimize human impact through respectful, responsible and sustainable outdoor practices. The Principles include:

• Plan ahead and be prepared
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Always stay on the trail!
• Carry out all of your trash (that includes apple cores, orange peels, etc.)
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect all wildlife (don’t feed or harass them)
• Be considerate of other visitors
• Leave what you find. Take only pictures
• Minimize geotagging on social media

For additional information, please review the new Social Media Guidelines for Leave No Trace.

1. Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park located just south of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. It’s one of those spots that’s gone viral online but still always lives up to the hype.

Watkins Glen is particularly famous for its dramatic gorges, swirling pools, and wispy waterfalls that create ethereal scenes that look straight out of a storybook.

Some of the best trails are the Glen Creek Gorge Trail and the Indian, Finger Lakes, and Gorge Trail Loop.

If camping is your thing, Watkins Glen has 305 camping sites with amenities like hot showers, picnic tables, restrooms, and a gift shop if you forgot anything.

Bonus: it’s also a fishing hotspot, especially during the annual spring rainbow trout run. You do need to grab a New York State fishing license beforehand. You can grab one online or at local shops once you get there.

2. Buttermilk Falls State Park

Next up is Buttermilk Falls State Park, a beautiful 811-acre park southwest of Ithaca, New York. The star of the show is Buttermilk Falls – a 165-foot foaming cascade just steps from the entrance to the park.

There’s a natural pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls where you can swim.

However, please check the NY State Parks website ahead of time to see if swimming is open when you visit. It depends on the weather and if lifeguards are available.

But while you can see the falls from the parking lot, it’s well worth your time to explore the other beautiful pools and waterfalls along the Gorge Trail and Rim Trail Loop.

3. Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls State Park is an absolute must if you’re exploring the best of New York’s state parks. This NY state park is famous for the 215 foot Taughannock Falls, which plunges into a dramatic rocky amphitheater.

There are three ways to see Taughannock Falls:

1. Hike to the base of the falls via the Gorge Trail. The trail is an easy 1.8 miles RT and can be done in about an hour. This is where Google Maps takes you by default when you type in “Taughannock Falls State Park”.
2. Go to the upper viewing platform (no hiking required). Put “Taughannock Falls Overlook View Point” into Google Maps.
3. Hike the North Rim and South Rim Trail Loop. It’s a moderate 2.9 miles that circles the upper part of the gorge.

In the summer, there are campsites and cabins overlooking Cayuga Lake, plus a boat launch and beach.

You can go cross-country skiing, sledding, and skate on frozen ponds at Rice Hill at the north side of the park during winter.

4. Robert Treman State Park

Robert Treman State Park is another gem in the Finger Lakes Region, and it’s hands down one of my personal faves.

The 1,110-acre park has nine miles of hiking trails, tent and RV sites, cabins, and a beach.

Its main attraction here is Enfield Glen, a rugged gorge with 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls.

On a hot day, you can swim in the designated area at Enfield Falls Swimming Hole.

If you want to see the best of Robert Treman Park, I recommend the Rim Trail and Gorge Trail Loop or the shorter Lucifer Falls via Gorge Trail.

5. Green Lakes State Park

Did you know there are glacial lakes in Upstate New York? You can find them at Green Lakes State Park in Central New York State.

With two ridiculously bright blue glacial lakes, Green Lakes State Park is, without a doubt, one of the best NY state parks.

The lakes are surrounded by lush forest and 10 miles of hiking trails that are perfect for exploring, as well as a sandy beach area.

Heads up – Only enter the water in designated areas. The lakes are part of a rare meromictic ecosystem, which means their waters don’t mix, preserving delicate layers of sediment and biological structures that form a reef (it looks like rocks, but it’s not!).

While it’s tempting to wade into the water along the shore, standing on the reef can damage these fragile formations and disrupt the balance of this unique ecosystem.

As for camping, the Green Lakes Campground has pavilions, picnic tables, rowboat rentals, and cabins. Just be sure to make your reservation up to 9 months in advance because this place is popular!

6. Letchworth State Park

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is one of the best state parks in New York.

Spanning over 14,000 acres, this park has everything from deep gorges and lush forests, to massive waterfalls fed by the Genesee River – all surrounded by the rolling countryside of Western NY.

There are three main waterfalls you absolutely can’t miss: Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls.

To see all three waterfalls, follow the Portage Bridge trail, which makes for a great, scenic hike that clocks in at just under 4 miles one way.

Letchworth is also one of the best places in the United States to take a hot air balloon ride. Very few places in the world even come close to the views you get as you float above “Grand Canyon of the East” with Liberty Balloons (Balloons Over Letchworth). In fact, people travel from all over the country to check this off their bucket list!

Other must-see sights in Letchworth State Park include the new Genesee Arch Bridge, Gardeau Overlook, Archery Field Overlook, and a Six Flags Darien Lake theme park.

7. Chittenango Falls State Park

The main reason people visit Chittenango Falls State Park is for Chittenango Falls. This gorgeous 167-foot waterfall cascades over ancient limestone cliffs that are about 400 million years old.

Follow this trail, which leads to a bridge at the base of the waterfall for the best views of the falls. This is also the best place to take photos for Instagram.

The trail is pretty steep and includes a series of stone stairs. I’d say it’s manageable for most people but definitely gets your heart pumping on the way back up. If you don’t want to go all the way down, you can stop at the viewpoint through the trees a little ways down the trail.

Chittenango Falls State Park is the only place in the world where you can find the endangered Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail.

These snails thrive in the misty zone near the falls, where it’s cool and damp, but their habitat is blocked off to protect them. Make sure to respect all guidelines and restrictions to help preserve this unique species and its fragile home.

If you have extra time, you can explore some of the other trails in the park for great views of the gorge and surrounding woodland. The park also has picnic facilities, park benches, and restrooms.

Note: swimming isn’t allowed in the park.

How to Get There: Just plug “Chittenango Falls State Park” into Google Maps. Even if it tells you to stop driving in the middle of nowhere, keep going straight and you’ll hit the park entrance.

8. Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve

Hudson Highlands State Park is located on the east side of the Hudson River and has over 70 miles of trails to explore. It’s the perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking, boating, and birdwatching.

While overnight camping isn’t allowed, there’s plenty to keep you busy during the day. S

tart with a hike on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, then rent a kayak or canoe from Hudson River Expeditions to enjoy the views from the water.

9. Bear Mountain State Park

Yes, there are bears in Bear Mountain State Park – along with other wildlife like bald eagles, great blue herons, osprey, and coyotes.

Personally, I think this NY gem really shines in the fall when the foliage turns bright orange.

Bear Mountain State Park is on the west bank of the Hudson River, covering 5,205 acres. It’s the perfect place to pick up a few outdoor activities, such as biking, cross-country skiing, ice skating, baiting, and picnicking.

If you’re up for a challenge, tackle the Bear Mountain Loop Trail, or take it easy with the short and sweet Hessian Lake Loop.

10. Saratoga Spa State Park

I grew up just south of Saratoga Springs and it has been the backdrop of many concerts at SPAC, sunny days at the Saratoga Racetrack, and shopping on Broadway.

But it wasn’t until I was older that I realized what a hidden gem Saratoga Spa State Park is!

This park is famous for its freshwater springs and geysers, where you can fill up your water bottles with mineral rich spring water. Here’s a guide to Saratoga’s mineral springs so you can research before you go. They’re all different and some are better for drinking than others.

The wooded trails are great for hiking and biking, especially in the fall.

For a dose of culture, head to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), where you can catch a concert, ballet, and various shows/events throughout the year.

If you need to relax, the Roosevelt Baths and Spa is the perfect spot to unwind with a massage or a mineral bath. You can also stop by the Saratoga Automobile Museum if you’re into cars or grab a round of golf at the 18-hole course.

Where to stay: Stay the night at the historic Gideon Putnam Hotel, which is right in the park and just a short drive to the shops and restaurants on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

11. Thacher State Park

John Boyd Thacher State Park is the best state park near Albany NY. It’s a unique area, located along the Helderberg Escarpment, which is one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. The whole place is filled with unique rock formations, viewpoints, and waterfalls.

There are some fantastic hiking trails (considering it’s only 15 miles from Albany). I recommend the Red Trail and Long Path Thacher Aqua Green Loop, which is an easy, scenic loop. But the real highlight is the Indian Ladder Trail, that follows the base of the escarpment.

For camping, head to Thompson’s Lake Campground, which has 140 wooded campsites and a sandy beach.

Thacher Park is one of the smallest state parks on this list, so while it’s perfect for camping and short hikes, you won’t find as many extensive trails here compared to some other parks.

12. Whirlpool State Park/Devils Hole State Park

Devils Hole and Whirlpool State Park are one of my favorite places to hike near Buffalo, NY.

To be clear, Devil’s Hole State Park and Whirlpool State Park are two separate parks, but they are right next to each other and both located along the Niagara Gorge in Western NY.

• Devil’s Hole State Park – Known for the Devil’s Hole Trail with steep stairs that takes you down into the gorge. It’s a more quiet, adventurous spot where you can get an up close view of the Niagara rapids and whirlpool.

Note: This part of the Niagara River is a popular place to fish, but under no circumstances can you swim here! And don’t attempt this hike without microspikes in the winter due to ice.

• Whirlpool State Park – Has easier access to scenic overlooks of the Niagara Whirlpool (no hiking required). It’s a bit more developed for casual visitors, with picnic areas and recreational spaces.

13. Minnewaska State Park

We’ve reached the end of our journey through New York’s best state parks, so let’s finish strong with Minnewaska State Park!

Just two hours from NYC, this park is an absolute must-visit. Set along the Shawangunk Mountain ridge in Ulster County, Minnewaska State Park has waterfalls, lakes, and cliff-edge views – plus 57 miles of trails for hiking, walking, and birding.

In the summer, you can cool off in the lifeguarded areas of Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting.

There are two main areas to visit:

1. Sam’s Point – Famous for its unique geology, with breathtaking views from the Shawangunk Ridge and the magical Ice Caves, where ice can last well into summer.

Sam’s Point Area Reservations: Parking reservations are required on weekends and holidays between April 15 and November 15. You can reserve online at ReserveAmerica or by calling 1-800-456-2267.

2. Lake Minnewaska – This is where you can swim, picnic, or take a boat out on the water.

Both areas are crisscrossed with well-maintained trails. Some popular hikes include:

• Awosting Falls – A quick, easy hike to a waterfall (1.1 miles RT)
• Gertrude’s Nose – Moderate hike with panoramic cliff-top views. Best hike for fall foliage! (7.6-mile loop)
• Beacon Hill Footpath – Moderate hike to Beacon Hill’s summit (4.6-mile loop)
• Lake Minnewaska Loop – A leisurely hike around the lake with swimming spots (1.8-mile loop)
• Sam’s Point & Verkeerderkill Falls Trail – A moderate hike with geological formations, a waterfall, and Ice Caves (8.6-mile loop)

Seasonal Closures: Keep in mind that trails close seasonally due to weather, so check the park’s website for updates on closures and trail conditions before you go.

Map of the Best State Parks in NY

I created a Google Map of all the best state parks. Click here to view and save it for your next adventure!

More New York Travel Guides

Want to explore more of New York? You might like these other NY guides:

• Instagrammable Places in Upstate New York
• Best Hikes in Upstate New York
• 10+ Amazing Hikes Near Lake Placid in the Adirondacks
• Where to See the Best Fall Foliage in New York

Gear Guides and travel tips:

Day Hiking Essentials: What to Pack for a Day Hike: Essential Gear and Complete Packing List

Best Hiking Backpacks: Best Hiking Backpacks for Women: Find the Perfect Hiking Pack for Your Next Adventure

Best microspikes: The Best Microspikes for Hiking on Ice and Snow: Top Picks