FINGER LAKES PARKS

The Finger Lakes are an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts, campers, bicyclists, and lovers of the great outdoors. Check out the parks and nature centers around the region–from waterfalls to wildlife, there is always something new to see in the Finger Lakes. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the sights along the way!

Beaver Lake Nature Center – Baldwinsville, NY
There are so many reasons to stop by Beaver lake including boat rentals, tai chi, yoga in the park, the 100 bird challenge and many more! Visit Beaver Lake and take part in year-round hiking, activities and educational programs.

 

Swimming, hiking, picnics, and play areas, this Finger Lakes Park really does have it all! The upper area holds a campsite, lake, and many hiking trails. The lower part of the park offers natural pools, fields, and wetlands to explore.

 

Cayuga Nature Center – Ithaca, NY

The Cayuga Nature Center provides indoor and outdoor programs and exhibits that encourage visitors to explore and understand the natural history of the Cayuga Lake Basin as part of the regional and global ecosystems. The Nature Center’s 100 acres of woodland and old field overlooking Cayuga Lake are home to a six-story treehouse, live native animals, a gorge and waterfall, and more than 5 miles of walking trails.

 

Cumming Nature Center

Cumming Nature Center – Naples, NY

Enjoy year-round recreation including hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Visit the indoor education center or sign up for camp! You can also participate in seasonal events like yoga, weekend walks, and even an eco-book club.

 

Emerson Park – Auburn, NY

Theatre, recreation and seasonal events make Emerson park the place to be for family fun. On the edge of Owasco Lake, 135 acres allows for boating, swimming, walking, and even a round of disc golf!

 

Fillmore Glen State Park – Moravia, NY

Photograph beautiful waterfalls, hike one of the many trails, plan a day for a picnic or stay a few days to camp. There is something for everyone! In the summer, take a dip in the natural pools or go fishing. In the winter, take a snowshoe hike, cross country ski or bring a snowmobile along!

 

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!