Posted in New York March 02, 2018 by

There’s Only One National Forest In New York And Here’s Why You’ll Want To Visit

Scenic views in New York are more than easy to stumble upon, but every now and then we like to take an outdoor adventure that brings us away from it all. Considering the size of our state and the variety of regions that can be found inside it, it can also be quite easy to go your entire Empire State existence without finding out about some of our more secluded and rural gems. Unlike any other area in our state, keep reading to find out why you’re going to fall in love with this one amazing forest.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The only one that you'll find in our state, the Finger Lakes National Forest is tucked on a ridge right between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
Adam Moss/Flickr
Covering more than 16,000 acres of the Finger Lakes Region, this national forest is full of more adventure than you could ever imagine.
Barbara Friedman/AllTrails
New York's only National Forest features more than 30-miles of interconnecting trails, leading you through beautifully remote areas of our state that you never knew existed.
Old Cavendish/AllTrails
Out of all the trails that you can explore here, one of the most popular ones to check out is the Interloken Trail — a roughly 12-mile long trail that's accessible all throughout the year.
rchappo2002/Flickr
Other trails in our National Forest will lead you to wide open spaces that have incredible views that overlook the water or even take you through pastures and past waterfalls.
Big Dream Walker/AllTrails
And with remote backroads like these, every drive through the Finger Lakes National Forest is a scenic one.
J. Maughn/Flickr
Aside from the typical outdoor adventures that you can expect to enjoy in most any forest, small towns like Burdett feature horseback riding stables that will lead you out into the wilderness.
Susan_2301/TripAdvisor
With so many different things to see and do, which adventure will you take first within New York's National Forest?
Painted Bar Stables/TripAdvisor
Filled with diversity and history, you'll find a variety of everything from the actual landscapes and scenery to the wildlife that you'll spot along the way. Those who want to explore the area and enjoy more than just a quick day trip can take advantage of the handful of free campgrounds that you can find within the Finger Lakes National Forest. Gorgeous areas like the Blueberry Patch Campground will have you camping in the middle of a blueberry patch, surrounding you with nothing but peace, quiet, and fresh air. To find out more information, click here.

Did you realize that this was the only National Forest that you can find in our state? If you’ve already been to the Finger Lakes National Forest, be sure to share your pictures and memories with us in our comments!