National parks near NYC: 14 places with incredible scenery worth visiting
In addition to bustling cities, stylish restaurants, vibrant attractions, world-class entertainment and Broadway productions, New York's appeal to travellers from around the world is its magnificent national and state parks. They protect many striking landscapes and natural wonders: majestic mountains and rocky gorges, stunning waterfalls and sparkling lakes. These landscapes and panoramas will make your camera shake with anticipation to capture their beauty. Fortunately, the government has created national parks near New York in time to preserve this splendor, as well as the historical and archaeological sites scattered throughout.
From stunning rumbling waterfalls and breathtaking mountain trails to a green urban oasis, historic sites and natural pools, this list of the best national and state parks near NY will be full of amazing things to do. Choose your location for special experiences and wilderness adventures.
1. Letchworth State Park
Also known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this scenic spot is among the top best national parks in New York for photography. It impresses with massive cliffs exceeding 600 feet in height and delightful waterfalls totalling up to 50. The three main ones - Upper, Middle, and Lower - wind through a massive gorge from the Genesee River. The best time to see the falls is in early spring when, due to snowmelt, their flow peaks and rumbles like crazy.
New York state and national parks have extensive hiking opportunities, such as this 14,000+ acre park with 66 miles of trails. If you enter the park from the north end, visit the 0.2-mile-long Hogback Lookout. From an elevation of 3,385 feet, you'll get a mesmerizing panorama of densely forested peaks, while on clear days, you can see the Allegheny Mountains in the distance. In addition to hiking, there are many other fun things to do here: swimming in the waterfall pools, kayaking, rafting, and hot-air ballooning. In the wintertime, you can go ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and tubing. The cost to enter the park is $10 per vehicle.
2. Niagara Falls
A list of famous national parks in New York would not be complete without Niagara Falls. The area from Whitfield to the mouth of the Niagara River received the status of a national heritage area not so long ago, in 2008. Here are the world-famous waterfalls, which are included in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America. It's a breathtaking sight that's hard to look away from. Visit the Niagara Gorge Discovery Centre to learn about the geological history of the falls. Don't forget about the Niagara Aquarium. Another attraction is the Cave of the Winds. This was originally a grotto behind Fata Falls with an observation deck, but it was destroyed by a landslide in 1954. Nowadays this name is given to the hiking trail along the canyon leading to the foot of the waterfall. Its most famous part is the Hurricane Lookout, which is so close that visitors can feel the vibrations coming from the falling water. You can also take boat tours to get special vantage points of the falls and the surrounding area.
After a walk to the falls, you can check out the charming towns of nearby Lewiston and Youngstown. The fee to enter the Heritage Area is $5-$10 per car depending on the time of year.
3. Robert H. Treman State Park
One of New York's most prominent national parks is located in the centre of the Finger Lakes region. It enchants travellers with winding trails that follow a complex gorge past 12 beautiful waterfalls. There are plenty of activities in the mountains, in the dense forests, and on the water. It is safe to walk in the park, but there are places with stairs and routes with challenging ascents and descents. The most famous waterfall in the area, the Lower Falls, or also Enfield, is especially popular with tourists in the summertime due to the cool pool underneath and the jumping ramp. During the most crowded hours, a lifeguard is on duty at the natural pool.
The state park near New York covers over a thousand acres and offers visitors six trails for hiking through dense forests, gorge walls, and past magnificent waterfalls. The Lower Rim Trail is fairly easy and will give you an overhead view of the Lower Falls. In addition to it, another fabulous waterfall worth checking out is the 115-foot-tall, multi-layered cascade called Lucifer. The fee for transportation is $9.
4. Hudson River Valley
This place is not technically on the list of national parks in New York. It is another national heritage area. It stretches along the Hudson River for 150 miles from Albany to New York City. Here you'll find superb panoramas of the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains, sparkling lakes and trails for hiking and climbing. It's no wonder these landscapes were home to America's first art school, the Hudson School. In addition to natural beauty, the valley is packed with quaint villages, animal sanctuaries, pristine lakes, and cultural institutions. But it's also full of iconic historic sites from the War of Independence. Victorian mansions, whose owners included New York's elite - the Rockefellers, Roosevelts, Vanderbilts and others - remind about this. You can also visit interesting museums, such as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum, the FDR Presidential Library & Museum or the Presidential Library. You'll find a variety of restaurants, farmers markets, and vibrant cultural events in the county near the river, so a trip here will be a very fulfilling trip to national parks near NYC.
5. Rockefeller State Park
One of the most beautiful state parks is located in the Pocantico Hills about 30 miles north of New York City. It provides visitors with 40 miles of gravel-lined trails that are perfect for walking, jogging, and carriage rides. They wind through more than 1,770 acres of pastoral countryside donated by the Rockefeller family in 1983 as part of the preserve.
Few other state parks in New York can offer the same great selection of activities: walk, ride horses or bikes, swim in a lake or river, and snowshoe through the woods in winter. Hike the circular trail that bears the name "13 Bridges" to explore the expansive meadows and dense forests, get the best views of Swan Lake and discover great photo locations on the charming bridges. You can observe the Hudson River from the roadway. The park is home to many species of birds (over two hundred), so bring your binoculars. The cost to enter the park is $6.00.
6. Catskill State Park
This impressive forest preserve, founded in 1885, is one of the top NY state parks in Delaware, with over 300,000 acres of rugged scenery. You'll find spectacular natural panoramas here at any time of year. Walking through wild forests, crashing waterfalls, legendary mountains and sheer cliffs, clear lakes and bubbling springs offers plenty of options for fun. However, this park is especially beautiful in autumn when its forests are painted with a full spectrum of warm hues.
Explore its popular trails for wildlife viewing and a variety of wildlife, such as Sunset Rock, Artist Rock, and Huckleberry Point. The park boasts remote and family campgrounds, snowshoe trails, winter hiking, and ice fishing opportunities. In addition to admiring the scenery, check out the interesting villages of Woodstock, Andes, and Phoenicia, home to art and antique galleries. Unlike many other national parks in NY, there is no entrance fee here.
7. Gantry Plaza State Park
This beauty-filled park in upstate New York is perfect for a relaxing vacation, romantic getaway, or dog walk. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in New York, it's home to famous landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square, as well as plenty of playgrounds for kids. As it's an urban park, you won't find waterfalls and mountain trails surrounded by forests, but it does offer stunning views of the downtown Manhattan skyline.
Here you can walk and fish from 4 piers, attend an outdoor concert, admire the manicured gardens and enjoy the scents of flowers and birdsong. This green oasis will make you forget that you are in a metropolis. Don't miss the two huge gantries at the water's edge: these devices were installed in the early 1900s to unload ships. It is to them that the park owes its name. There is no entrance fee, except for a picnic permit fee of about $30.
8. Minnewaska State Park Reserve
Some of the best places to hike are at the scenic Minnewaska State Reserve in Ulster County in the northern part of the state. Hiking routes wind past lovely waterfalls and lakes, dense hardwood forests, and massive cliffs in the Hudson Valley. There are about 50 miles of trails and paths for hiking, walking, biking, and jogging. One of the most interesting trails will take you through beautiful terrain to Gertrude's Nose Lookout and Lake Minnewaska.
Mountaineering and bouldering enthusiasts choose this park over other national parks near New York because of its location on the Shawangunk Mountain Range. On its 24,000 acres, visitors can also go swimming, including snorkeling, boating, horseback riding, and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. If you'd like to spend more time in this scenic area, the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground is open from mid-May through mid-November, just 5 minutes from the park entrance. Dogs are allowed except when visiting the beaches. There is a $10 fee to enter by car.
9. Buttermilk Falls State Park
The main attraction of this state park in the Finger Lakes area is Buttermilk Falls on the creek of the same name that runs through deep valleys, forests, and cliffs. It is 165 feet high, and the beautiful wide cascades will catch your camera's attention for a long time. The park is close to Watkins Glen and Robert H. Treman State Park, so they can be visited in one day if you don't plan to stay longer at either of them.
Buttermilk Falls Park is a mixture of the scenery you can see in the other two parks. The upper part of the park features scenic gorge trails, sparkling Finger Lake, cliffs, cascading waterfalls, playgrounds, and picnic areas. In the summer, visitors can relax at the natural pool at the foot of the falls near the parking lot. Another beautiful place not to be missed is the Leafy Meadows. They are a wetland area with a winding nature trail for quiet soothing walks. During the winter, the popular gorge trail is closed until around April. There are playing fields and tent camping at the bottom, and dogs are allowed. The fee to enter by car is $9.
10. Bear Mountain State Park
With its location high in the Rocky Mountains above the Hudson River, Bear Mountain State Park can easily rival other best national parks near New York in terms of scenery. In addition, it boasts a variety of activities for different ages, so it is popular for family vacations with children. There are hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails, interesting museums, the Trailside Zoo, river and lake fishing opportunities, picnic areas, a swimming pool, and a large playground. Kids can ride the carousel with hand-painted scenes from the park, and an outdoor ice skating rink is open from late October through mid-March.
One of the park's best trails takes you to the top of Bear Mountain. Here you should visit the Perkins Memorial Tower for panoramic views of the Hudson Highlands and the river. There are many good campgrounds nearby. The entrance fee per vehicle is $10 + $5 for pool access.
11. Saratoga Spa State Park
Among all the other national and state parks near NYC, this one stands out for its classic architecture and mineral springs. The Iroquois and Mohawk tribes attributed healing properties to the latter, which helped cure a variety of ailments. When the crowds of those wishing to take healing water rushed here, the state government initiated the creation of a state park here to preserve the springs.
Today, its appeal to visitors is not only due to the desire to taste the famous water. There are many miles of trails through the picturesque green space, two pools with crystal clear water and two excellent golf courses. In addition to outdoor activities, the park also appeals to connoisseurs of cultural events. It is home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Centre, the Little Theatre Spa, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the National Museum of Dance and the famous Roosevelt Baths and Spa. The pool at Peerless Pool is free and has slides and a children's area with a fountain. Victoria Pool is smaller and has paid access. The park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.
12. Allegany State Park
This stunning park actually runs through two states, New York and Pennsylvania (the part in the latter is called the Allegany National Forest). It is the largest of all state parks near NYC. Here you'll find huge mountains and plenty of scenic trails to explore for different fitness levels. As you move west, the park's landscape includes many boulders and caves. Visitors to the park can camp, go boating and biking (there are rentals), play tennis, fish and relax on the sandy beach. In winter, the park attracts fans of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
But the centrepiece of the park is considered to be the Red House area. This beautiful Tudor-style building on the shores of Red House Lake houses a natural history museum and gift store. Several miles of paved paths diverge from the lake for biking, walking and jogging. It is appropriate for year-round camping: there are campgrounds, cabins, and insulated cottages. Entry fees are $7 per car.
13. Saratoga National Historical Park
Unlike other best national parks near NYC, Saratoga Park's main attraction lies in its historic location. The site of this park during the American Revolution in 1777 was the site of the famous battle between American and British troops, which was one of the landmark events of the War of Independence of the United States. Now the Saratoga Battlefield is the largest part of the historic park's grounds. It hosts a variety of special events each year, such as the Frost Fair, the August Music Festival, and the Historic Walks. The second place you must visit here is the restored home of Major General Philip Schuyler, a hero of the War of Independence. Next is the Saratoga Monument, a 155-foot stone obelisk created in 1883 to commemorate the surrender of British troops. You can climb the steps to its top and enjoy a view of the Hudson River Valley. Another important part of the park is Victory Woods. This 22-acre area marks the last British Army campsite before the surrender. To explore it, you can park at the Saratoga Monument and follow the signs through the 1800s private Prospect Hill Cemetery to the Victory Woods Promenade. There are no admission fees.
14. Point Au Roche State Park
One of the most attractive state parks for families in New York State is located near the Canadian border on the northwest shore of Lake Champlain. The park in Clinton County attracts visitors with a soft sandy beach where you can spend summer days playing volleyball, swimming in the lake and surfing. There are about 60 piers on the lake where you can fish and go boating. In winter, the list of activities changes to ice fishing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. The park has a Nature Centre, where you can get all the information about the nature of this region or explore it on your own during hikes and bike rides through the forest. There aren't as many tourists as many of the other most popular New York State parks, so it's a good choice for a relaxing day at the beach or a quiet walk in the woods. Park admission is $7 per car at the beach and $6 at the non-beach area.
