Tens of millions of people flood into New York City each year to experience one of the most notable cities on the planet. While New York City is an incredible attraction that we agree is worth visiting, there’s something that just about everyone that lands in NYC forgets… There’s more to New York than its premiere city.
The vast majority of New York is much more than the hustle and bustle of its concrete jungles. New York nature showcases ample forest areas that are perfect for any activity you can imagine enjoying outside. Not sure where to start your exploration of New York’s green areas? Keep reading to discover our picks!
Letchworth State Park
No exploration of New York nature is complete without spending time in Letchworth State Park.
Letchworth is in Livingston County and showcases an incredible nature-scape that spans a staggering 14,000+ acres. People that step foot into Letchworth do so to admire its picturesque Genesee River and the wonderful gorges and waterfalls it powers.
Letchworth is open year-round and trips can be planned in full through the park’s website.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
For those of you that are planning on spending time in Westchester County when you travel to New York, make it a point to pop into the well-traveled Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Whether you’re into horseback riding, running, bird watching, or any number of other activities, this beautiful park that sits in the foothills of the Hudson River has you covered.
Crowd favorite locations at the park include its 13 Bridges Loop Trail, Swan Lake, and Rockwood Hall.
Robert H. Treman State Park
The crown-jewel of nature in Tompkins County is Robert H. Treman State Park. This park spreads 1000 acres and touches the towns of Ithaca, Enfield, and Newfield which is perfect if you’re looking to rent a property on https://newyorkrentalbyowner.com/ so you can stay within the park’s general area.
Robert H. Treman Stae Park offers playgrounds and hiking trails for casual visitors and hunting, campsites, and fishing for more intense thrill-seekers. Uniquely, this New York state parks location has a handicap accessible beach area.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Rounding out our list of must-see New York nature destinations is our biggest suggestion on this list, Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This park boasts a staggering 22,000+ acre layout. Within that zone are classic attractions including the Awosting Falls, Gertrude’s Nose (on Minnewasaka Trail), and of course, Lake Minnewaska.
If you’ve heard of “Sam’s Point Preserve” know the popular area is located within Minnewaska State Park in its southern section. Sam’s Point hosts regular events which can be explored here.
New York Nature Goes Far Beyond What We’ve Touched On
If you’re excited about the sampling of New York nature we’ve shared with you, great! Know though that the incredible places we’ve mentioned barely scratch the surface of what’s available.
Would you like to dig deeper into your options? If so, check out the parks.ny.gov site. That resource is great for better understanding what COVID protocols the parks are leaning on. It’s also a fantastic resource for booking campsites and attaining permits.
For more insight on all things travel, we welcome you to explore more content on our blog!