When it comes to things to do outside in New York, the options are abundant. It’s true! There are lots of state parks to visit in New York. In fact, there are more than 200 state parks and historic sites that are just waiting to be explored. Glancing at the long list of parks in New York can be a bit intimidating, so to help make things easier for you, we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of state parks to visit in New York. Featuring some of the best state parks in New York, we can almost guarantee that our selections will knock your socks off.

1. Chittenango Falls State Park, Cazenovia
Brook Ward/Flickr
Chittenango Falls State Park, Cazenovia, NY 13035, USA
katie wheeler/Flickr
Wondering what the main attraction at this state park is? If you guessed that it's the 167-foot tall waterfall... you're right! Featuring a handful of perfect places to have picnics, this park is great to visit for a peaceful day out.
2. Wildwood State Park, Wading River
sandy richard/Flickr
Wildwood State Park, 790 Hulse Landing Rd, Wading River, NY 11792, USA
sandy richard/Flickr
Don't you just want to hop right into this picture? Captured above, you can see the gorgeous views you'll have when you're visiting this park. With views of the Long Island Sound and peaceful trails to stroll, this Suffolk County beauty will have you double checking that you're still in New York!
3. Letchworth State Park, Castile
Chris Waits/Flickr
Letchworth State Park, New York, USA
Chris Waits/Flickr
Following alongside the Genesee River, just south of Rochester, you'll find this absolutely amazing state park. With over 14,000 acres and three major waterfalls, there's plenty to keep you busy here! Loved for its eye-catching hot air balloon festivals, whitewater rafting, and peaceful camping, this park is diverse to say the least.
4. Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville
Mitchell Joyce/Flickr
Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Rd, Fayetteville, NY 13066, USA
rachaelvoorhees/Flickr
Named after one of its stunning lakes, this state park actually features another scenic lake that's been named a National Natural Landmark, Round Lake! One of the many things that makes this place a beloved tourist attraction is that it features an 18-hole golf course. Time to get swinging!
5. Fair Haven Beach State Park, Sterling
Matthew H/Flickr

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Fair Haven Beach, 14983 Lake Street Exd, Sterling, NY 13156, USA
Matthew H/Flickr
Found on the eastern part of Lake Ontario's shoreline, this amazing public waterfront has over 1,500 feet of beach. With a spacious swimming area and camp sites tucked away in the woods, this park has been a longtime family favorite.
6. Harriman State Park, Sloatsburg
A.D. Wheeler / The Explorographer
Harriman State Park, New York 10975, USA
A.D. Wheeler / The Explorographer
New York state's second-largest park, this is one breathtaking spot you must check out. Where do we begin? With over 200 miles of hiking trails, over 30 lakes, and plenty of public camping areas, you'll easily forget that you're just a short drive from the big city.
7. Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen
A.D. Wheeler / The Explorographer
Watkins Glen State Park, 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA
Matt Hintsa/Flickr
Over the course of a short but steady trail of just 2 miles, you'll be able to view nearly 20 waterfalls. Wow! Don't worry if that isn't enough to keep you occupied, though. This park also offers camping, swimming pools, picnic areas, and guided tours along the trails!
8. Cherry Plain State Park, Cherry Plain
Sonja Stark/Flickr
Cherry Plain State Park, New York, USA
Sonja Stark/Flickr
Featuring a relaxing beach at Black River Pond, this 175-acre state park is small but mighty! With campgrounds near the beach and prime fishing spots all year-round, it's easily among the best state parks in New York.
9. Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson
Doug Kerr/Flickr
5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446, USA
Roy Saplin/Flickr
Located on the Shawagunk Ridge, this park has over 20,000 acres! Providing visitors breathtaking views of the Catskills, this rocky terrain will surely bring out your inner adventurer!

So, what do you think? Are these THE state parks to visit in New York or what?! What other parks do you think qualify as the best state parks in New York? Know of other must-visit spots when looking for things to do outside in New York? Whatever it is, tell us!

To learn more about the best state parks in New York, head to the New York State Parks website.

The options for things to do outside in New York don’t end with state parks. There are lots of other ways to experience the great outdoors in New York, including this road trip.

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State Parks To Visit In New York

Daniella DiRienzo | February 15, 2022

Aside from state parks, what are the best parks in New York?

Of all the parks in the state, Greenacre Park is definitely one of the best parks in New York. Located right in the city, it delivers an urban park experience to more than 200,000 people every year! Definitely worth the attention, the park, which is comprised of three different levels, is highlighted by a beautiful 25-foot-tall waterfall. In addition to the cascade, the park boasts a garden-like setting – complete with lush evergreen plantings, walls of ivy, and colorful seasonal flowers. Other park perks include a raised and covered terrace as well as an outdoor café. With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why Greenacre Park is consistently referred to as one of the best parks in New York.

What are some other things to do outside in New York?

There are tons of things to do outside in New York, including paying a visit to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park. The perfect combination of beauty and history, the park is a natural wonder of the Adirondacks, boasting the largest marble cave entrance in the east. Visitors today can explore the gorgeous grounds, which feature waterfalls, a gorge, and plenty of caves, of course. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry; there are several tour options to choose from, including self-guided aboveground tours, cave tours, and snowshoeing.

What are the top-rated hiking trails in New York?

With so many hiking trails in New York, it can be easy to overlook a few. One hike that you don’t want to miss is the Cascade Mountain Trail. At 5.5 miles, it’s not the shortest trek; however, the scenic surroundings, which include mountain peaks, panoramic vistas, a flowing river, and a waterfall, make all the effort exerted well worth it. Not surprisingly, Cascade Mountain Trail is a popular trek and tends to get pretty crowded during the summer months. If you prefer to have the trail all to yourself, consider visiting during spring or fall, when it’s less crowded.

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