New York
Nature|Hiking

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in New York That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Hidden in the rural central NY town of Oxford, Bowman Lake State Park is a small-town park in New York with an amazing view.

Published Sep 3, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New York is a really unique state - it feels more like several different states depending on whether you're exploring the massive metropolis of NYC, visiting the freshwater beaches on the banks of Lake Erie, or vacationing on the banks of Lake George. But when I want to truly get away, I head to some of the amazing rural spots hidden in Central New York. That's where you'll find charming tiny towns and amazing small-town parks in New York - places like Bowman Lake State Park, in the tiny town of Oxford. A popular spot for fishing and birdwatching, this laid-back destination is known for its low crowds, relaxing atmosphere - and one heck of an incredible view.

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S. Bear/AllTrails

Bowman Lake State Park is one of those NY state parks that doesn't get much attention. But at 653 acres in the middle of a beautiful rural area of the state, it's well worth the visit for a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.

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Ian Woods/AllTrails

Naturally, the lake is a big highlight here - it's regularly stocked with trout and makes for an amazing fishing spot. But this is also a very popular spot for bird-watchers. It's believed that over 100 species of birds can be sighting here, so bring your binoculars and prepare for a magical day.

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Kevin O'Shea/AllTrails

There are two primary trails in the park - the Berry Hill Fire Tower Trail, which is a moderate eleven-mile trail, and the Bowman Lake Park Loop Trail, an easier 7.7-mile trail. Both take you past some incredible sights and beautiful scenery, including a historic cemetery, but for the best view in the area, you'll want to take on the challenge of the first...

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Robin Mello/AllTrails

That's where you'll find the Berry Hill Fire Tower. This is one of the tallest fire towers in the state, and it's open for climbing to the top. It's been serving the area since 1934, and was fully restored in 2021 and is now safe for anyone who can take on the stairs.

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Steven Faulkner/AllTrails

The site from the tower is truly impressive, and you can see from miles around in this peaceful area. It's the kind of place where you feel like the natural beauty of New York is all yours to enjoy.

Have you visited Bowman Lake State Park in Oxford? Tell us all about your visit to this small-town park in New York in the comments section! You can find out more about the park and its amenities on the New York Parks website, and if you're planning on hiking in rural areas, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails+. This downloadable app is invaluable for its step-by-step trail guides when cell reception is spotty. Oxford may be a rural spot, but it's only a few miles from the town of Norwich - where you'll find some of New York's best small-town museums.

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Nature|Hiking

The Stunning Top-Secret Natural Spring in New York Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The best hidden waterfall in New York is found in a small Central New York wilderness along a challenging but beautiful trail.

Published Sep 28, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New York's waterfalls and springs are famous around the world - especially when you talk about a certain one up north! But New York is actually a big state, and there are some fascinating spots far off the beaten path that are well-worth exploring. You just might have to put some work into getting there. I was surprised to find the best-hidden waterfall in New York was located near the tiny town of North Creek, in the little-known Siamese Ponds Wilderness. That's where you'll find the Shanty Brook Trail, a 1.3-mile trail rated moderate. While it's a short trail, it does pack some unique challenges into its half-hour hike - but we think it's well worth the challenge.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The Shanty Brook Trail is one of New York's hidden gems, found in a deeply remote area of the state with no major towns around. While it's rated moderate, it will require you to venture off well-maintained trails and into some challenging terrain.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The most challenging part of this trail comes right at the start, as you'll have to cross the Sacandaga River. This is usually a fairly slow-moving and shallow river, so all you'll need is a good pair of wading boots - but be careful to not take this trail after heavy rain.

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Han Ng/AllTrails

From there, it's a quick but challenging hike uphill until you reach the titular Shanty Brook - a twelve-foot waterfall that makes for amazing photo opportunities. The best part is that the challenging approach means you'll likely have this area all to yourself.

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

Although far from New York's tallest waterfall, the Shanty Brook Waterfall is an incredible sight and can be walked right up to. While this isn't a suitable place for swimming, it is a great place to cool off before heading back!

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

There are actually eighteen trails in the immediate area of the wilderness, many moderately challenging and remote, making exploring this area this the perfect day of adventure.

Have you hiked the Shanty Brook Trail to see this magical hidden waterfall in New York? Let us know about your hike in the comments section, and you can visit the AllTrails trail listing for more details and pictures. If you want to know more about the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, check out its page on the NY DEC website. This is the kind of hike AllTrails + was made for - the point-by-point directions are incredibly useful in a remote, fast-paced hike like this. And if you're looking for a memorable stay in the area, this Victorian-style B&B is about an hour away in the Lake George area.

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Nature|Hiking

The 25.7-Mile Hiking Trail in New York That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The best and definitely the longest fall foliage hike in New York, the Catskill Scenic Trail is almost 26 miles of adventure.

Published Sep 21, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

I don't know about you, but there might be no more beautiful place for fall foliage than the Catskills. These mountains, which are a popular summer vacation spot and turn into a top ski destination when the snow starts to fall, are in their "Goldilocks Zone" right now - there are still people coming, but the crowds are much smaller, and that means there's plenty of space to enjoy the fall colors. That's good, because this area is home to the best fall foliage hike in New York - if you can call it a hike! The Catskill Scenic Trail is a whopping 25.7-mile trail on what used to be a railroad, taking you all the way from Bloomville to Roxbury and past some of the most beautiful forests, farms, and small towns in the state. You can take just a small part of it, or if you have a bike and a lot of fortitude, embark on the best fall journey in Central New York.

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James Francis Halloran/AllTrails

The fall foliage in the Catskills is truly unparalleled, and there's a spectacular way to see it on the Catskill Scenic Trail. This 25.7-mile trail is one of New York's most famous hikes, and it gets a moderate rating from AllTrails. Many areas of it are highly accessible to beginner hikers.

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Joe Chinea/AllTrails

The area used to be a railroad, so many areas of the trail are paved, with small bridges to make it easy to pass over water features. This gives it the feeling of a peaceful boardwalk hike - one that keeps going and going!

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Joe Chinea/AllTrails

If you do want to take on the whole hike, though, you should be prepared for some more out-of-the-way destinations. This is a very popular biking trail, which is a lot easier than walking or running it - unless you're a marathon-runner! Dogs are welcome on the trail as long as they're on a leash.

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Karen Rowe/AllTrails

One of the best things about the Catskill Scenic Trail is that it goes on so long that you'll come across not just nature, but small-town charm. You never know when you'll pass by a farm's pumpkin patch...

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James Francis Halloran/AllTrails

Or pass through a small town in the Catskills! This doesn't need to be a one-day adventure either - you can plan stops along the way, spend a night in a charming small town with a great restaurant and a cute motel, and then continue on your way down the best fall foliage trail in New York.

Have you taken the Catskill Scenic Trail before? Whether you've only seen a small part or conquered the whole thing, let us know about your adventure in the comments section! You can learn more about the trail on the Catskill Scenic Trail website, or see more pictures on the AllTrails trail listing. With a trail this long, a subscription to AllTrails + can help you keep on the right path with downloadable trail maps that work even if cell phone service is spotty in the region. And if you make it all the way to Roxbury, consider rewarding yourself with a night at the quirky Roxbury Motel.

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