FINGER LAKES PARKS

Finger Lakes National Forest

With over 16,000 acres located between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting are the names of the game here. As New York’s only federal state park, it provides educational and recreational benefits for all.

Finger Lakes Trail
A 560-mile trail that extends from Pennsylvania to the Catskills, perfect for both day hikes and overnights or hike the whole thing if you’re feeling ambitious! The trail was started in an effort to create a trail completely across New York State and is New York’s premier hiking trail.

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area -Canadice, NY
A recreation area six miles south of Honeoye Lake, this park has miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. The elevation makes it great for winter activities and a lovely remote day-trip destination all year round!

Keuka Lake State Park – Bluff Point, NY
Featuring 621 beautiful acres, this lakeside Finger Lakes park is a haven for hikers, boaters, swimmers, campers, anglers, hunters, and cross-country skiers. Cinematic vistas abound at this park; you can see clear across the lake and the vineyard covered hills of the surrounding area.

Letchworth State Park – Castile, NY
Affectionately called the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth park has incredible views, great camping and 66 miles of hiking trails. But those are not the only activities this park has to offer! You could also spend the day with performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a pool for swimming and hot air ballooning.

Montezuma Wildlife Refuge – Seneca Falls, NY
View an abundance of birds, mammals and reptiles, or check out the visitor’s center and their interpretive programs. This wonderful refuge also offers a biking and hiking path as well as a few socially distanced wildlife programs. 

Robert H. Treman State Park – Ithaca, NY
Hike one of Ithaca’s famous gorges, home to some of the area’s most beloved swimming holes and waterfalls. There are 12 waterfalls over a nine-mile trail including Lucifer Falls and Enfield Glen. Lucifer Falls is 115 feet tall; one of the tallest in the state!

Sampson State Park – Romulus, NY
State Park on the eastern shore of Seneca lake featuring 38 miles of trails, 100+ boat slips and over 300 campsites. This massive Finger Lakes park has over 2000 acres of land for you to explore. Fishing, tennis, horseshoes, basketball, volleyball, hunting, biking, hiking, golf, geocaching, wildlife viewing and photography are encouraged!

Taughannock Falls State Park – Ulysses, NY
Sneak a peek at the magnificent waterfalls or enjoy a picnic at this great park near Ithaca, NY. “Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge.” There is plenty of trails for hiking as well as many campsites to enjoy nature a little longer.

Urbana State Forest – Hammondsport, NY
Hike the trails and try to spy on area wildlife. This forest is dedicated to being as underdeveloped and rustic as possible. Hiking, hunting, and camping are the primary focus of this 2,690-acre plot of land. If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, Urbana can’t be beat.

Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen, NY
Visit one of the most breathtaking places in the Finger Lakes. Families will love camping, swimming and picnics in the park. This is one of the most well-known parks in the Finger Lakes with miles of trails inside a beautiful gorge full of natural pools. Make sure you take the time to swim in the natural pools or the Olympic size in ground pool during your stay!