New York
Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Magnificent Natural Beach In New York That’s Located Only Feet From The Parking Lot

Published Aug 15, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

The upstate region of New York has some of the state's most unique cities, along with delicious food and great attractions - but we discovered it also has some stunning natural beauty. The city of Rochester, in particular, borders one of the great lakes - Lake Ontario - and it's home to what might be the most beautiful freshwater beach in New York. Found at Ontario Beach Park, this natural wonder has gorgeous sand dunes and stunning views of the water - and to find it, you only have to go minutes from the city center. As soon as you cross the gates into the park, you'll feel like you're in another world. This pastoral beach park is the ideal place to spend a few hours in the summer, simply basking in the sun or taking a relaxing walk along the boardwalk before you return to the hustle and bustle of Rochester.

Ontario Beach State Park is a tiny urban haven in the middle of Rochester.

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Christina Hache/Google Local

This natural freshwater beach offers stunning views of Lake Ontario, as well as some small, easy hikes around the perimeter and the pier.

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Sue Higgins/Google Local

There is a collection of statues and memorials scattered around, and hunting for these unique displays of culture is a great way to explore Rochester.

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Captain Bob Hartzell/Google Local

However, the real highlight at this park is the stunning natural sand beach. The sand dunes here are among some of the most beautiful inland ones in New York.

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Jerry Huang/Google Local

The park is a laid-back alternative to more popular beaches, and even during the summer months it's pretty peaceful.

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Edurne/Google Local

It's also home to the historic Dentzel Carousel, one of Rochester's most beautiful family-friendly attractions. Have you been for a ride? It's only a dollar a ride.

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Sleeping Bluety/Google Local

Have you visited Ontario Beach Park in Rochester? What did you think of this unique freshwater beach in New York? Let us know in the comments section, and check out the Ontario Beach Park website for more details on all the amenities found here! While you're in town, make sure to indulge in a famous Rochester Garbage Plate. If you're looking for a great home base in the region for a few days of vacation, we highly recommend the Homewood Suites by Hilton Rochester/Greece - this is the chain I always pick when looking for a reasonably priced hotel, thanks to their spacious rooms and the delicious free breakfast buffet.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Completely Free Nature Spot Hiding in a New York Park Is a Must-Visit

Webster Pond is an amazing secret pond in New York that offers a stunning slice of nature not far from the big city.

Published Sep 6, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

As I explore more and more of the Empire State, I've developed a love for the unique cities of upstate. There is so much to do, see, and eat in these cities that it can be a little overwhelming in the best way. Still, sometimes I need to get away and decompress, and that's the perfect time to explore one of the city's charming county parks. A perfect example can be found in Syracuse, hiding in the humble Rand Tract Park. A heavily-wooded park filled with easy hiking trails, it's also home to Webster Pond, a unique and beautiful pond that has been designated as a nature preserve and is teeming with life. It's one of the most accessible nature spots in Syracuse, so discover this gorgeous hidden pond in New York below!

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Kyra Carp/AllTrails

Rand Tract Park is a laid-back upstate New York destination, and it can be seen via the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail, which is an easy 2.2-mile loop trail. You'll encounter some uneven terrain, but the heavily wooded area is beautiful.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The main highlight of the area is Webster Pond, a stunningly beautiful pond that has been maintained as a nature preserve since 1890. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail - likely to ensure the ecosystem here remains undisturbed.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The pond is designed as a refuge for the local fish, game, and birds - especially birds. Lots and lots of birds, making this an incredible spot for birdwatchers to visit.

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Ali Shela/AllTrails

The pond is surrounded by handicaped-accessible bridges and plenty of benches, so this is a great laid-back spot for people to visit when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Syracuse. It's an ideal spot for the whole family - the kids can look for birds while grandpa takes a break.

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Joe Bessette/AllTrails

At some points, it feels like it's really the birds' pond and we're just visiting - and that's exactly how we like it. This pond is an amazing spot to visit through the year.

Have you visited Webster Pond in Rand Tract Park before? Let us know about your visit to this hidden pond in New York in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the pond and the surrounding area on the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail listing on AllTrails. This might be an easy trail, but the trail guides and point-by-point directions on AllTrails + might still be useful to someone new to the area. And when you're done with nature, why not visit Syracuse's spectacular Destiny USA - one of the largest malls in the United States?

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

This Natural Water Park In New York Is A Summer Dream Come True

Published Aug 16, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Visiting a summer waterpark in New York is always a lot of fun, but during those hot summer days, it doesn't always work to beat the heat! The crowds are out in full force and the sun is beating down on the concrete and plastic. That's why when that summer heat gets to be too much, many adventurous types prefer to instead head off the beaten path and discover a natural adventure. We found exactly that at Lake George Wild Forest, a sprawling destination with over 40 individual rustic trails and some of the region's most beautiful sights. But we were the most surprised to find out that it was home to what might be the only natural waterslide in New York! This is Bear Slide Trail, a simple hike not far off the beaten path that allows you to get your feet wet and take a wet-and-wild adventure down a flowing path, far away from the area's busiest tourist destinations!

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Lake George Wild Forest is a choose-your-own-adventure of a park, with almost fifty trails leading to stunning mountaintops...

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Harriet Santisi/AllTrails

And peaceful waterfronts. But there's one hidden gem of a trail that most people don't know about.

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Web Surfer/Google Local

The Bear Slide Trail is a fairly short, easy-to-access trail that follows a racing brook. Some of the brook is rocky...

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

But at a certain point, it smoothes out while still flowing downhill. After heavy rain, it'll be a rushing river that you can simply sit down in...and let it sweep you away!

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Visit Lake George

Your final destination is a small waterfall with a shallow pool at the end, the perfect cool finish to this natural waterslide!

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

You can even camp on the ground, with 63 primitive camping sites available around the forest. It's the perfect rustic adventure for summer.

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Web Surfer/Google Local

Have you taken the often-wild ride on the Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest? Let us know what you think of this unique natural waterslide in New York in the comments section! To learn more about this massive natural destination, check out the Lake George Wild Forest page on the NY website. There is so much hiking to do in this area, with many of the trails being challenging, so we recommend a subscription to AllTrails + - this is the kind of destination this app was made for, letting you stay connected with downloadable trail guides no matter how remote your hike is. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of local adventure, Six Flags Great Escape just opened a new and thrilling wooden roller coaster!

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