Six Amazing New York State Parks to Visit from Buffalo

Buffalo, New York is known for a lot of things. From the invention of the Buffalo wing to the crazy lake effect snow storms we experience each winter. However, it’s not often recognized for its close proximity to so many incredible New York state parks. Buffalo is actually a perfect home base for those wanting to discover the natural side of New York state, as some of the most incredible parks within the state are right in Buffalo’s backyard.

As a Buffalo native, I’d be lying if I said I always had a passion for exploring my home town and my home state. However, in recent years I’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for the underrated beauty that New York State has to offer. I’ve made it my mission to explore the best of it and my aim is to share that in this post.

If you live in Buffalo (or are planning to visit)  and you’d like to experience the beauty that surrounds our very special city, then this post is for you! All of the New York state parks mentioned in this post are a 3 hour drive or less from Buffalo and the Western New York area. Get ready for waterfalls, gorges, beautiful scenery, and easy hiking paths that will blow your mind. I’m sure you would have never guessed that this all lies on Buffalo’s doorstep.

Know Before You Go

Just some important things to keep in mind before visiting any New York State Park.

New York State Parks Entrance Fees

Since most New York state parks are not accessible by foot or public transportation, entrance fees are not charged by person, but by vehicle. The fee is generally between $6- $10 per vehicle for the day. There may be additional fees for certain amenities such as pools or shelter reservations. During the low season there are some parks that don’t charge at all.

The Empire Pass

If you plan to visit multiple New York state parks on this list, it’s worth considering the Empire Pass. This pass allows you to visit all of the state parks throughout New York for a one time payment of $80. Good for one calendar year, but important to note- regardless of what month you purchase the Empire pass, it always expires on December 31st of that year. Depending on how serious you are about hitting all 200 state parks, there are other options for three-years, five-years, and even a lifetime pass. 

Practice the Leave No Trace Seven Principles

Before heading out to any state park it’s always a good reminder to practice the Leave No Trace principles. Incase you’re unfamiliar, or haven’t heard them in a while, here’s a quick refresher to keep in mind:

• Plan ahead and prepare- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces– Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites
• Dispose of Waste Properly– pack it in, pack it out!
• Minimize Campfire Impacts- keep fires small and put out campfires completely
• Leave What You Find- “take only pictures, leave only footprints”
• Respect Wildlife- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.Never feed animals. 
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors- “Treat others the way you would like to be treated” is a rule that applies in the outdoors, too.

Your Must-Visit List of New York State Parks

Let’s get into it! This is your must-visit list of New York state parks that will absolutely leave you in awe! As I mentioned, they’re all within a 3 hour drive from Buffalo and the Western NY area. However, I will leave some details showing approximate travel times along with helpful information about visiting each park.

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park covers 14,350 acres and is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” With lush forests all around, the winding Genesee River below, and plenty of picturesque hiking trails, Letchworth State Park is one of the best New York state parks to visit. It was even named “#1 State Park in the USA” and “Best New York State Attraction” in past years.

Letchworth has over 25 different trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some of the shorter trails are between 1 & 2 miles whereas the longest trail is 24 miles! If you can only do one trail during your time at Letchworth, Trail 1- The Gorge Trail is considered the most scenic trail at the park. It’s approximately 7 miles long and passes by all three major waterfalls in the park.

The three waterfalls include the Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls and are all uniquely beautiful. The Upper Falls, which is probably considered the most iconic of the three, is roughly 70 feet tall and flows directly under an active railway bridge. It makes for the perfect photo- op!

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen is one of the most picturesque New York State Parks. It’s hard to walk through this park and not feel like you’ve been dropped into some sort of fairytale. Picture this: a seemingly endless river that flows through towering cliffs, lush greenery, serene rock bridges, and showcases numerous waterfalls. It’s truly a sight to behold. 

The most popular trail at Watkins Glen is the Gorge Trail. Roughly 1.5 miles, you’ll get the best views of Glen Creek, the gorge, its cliffs, and the 19 waterfalls within the park. That’s right, 19 waterfalls! As you make your way down the trail you’ll find incredible sights around each and every bend. I recommend taking your time and really enjoying the views.

Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls isn’t just the oldest New York state park, but it’s the oldest state park in the US. Established in 1885, it helped become the cornerstone to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The park sits on 400 acres of land and is a known natural wonder of the world. With over 30 million visitors each year, you can imagine why it’s considered one of the best New York State Parks to visit.

Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls and is actually located in two countries- the US and Canada. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are both located on the American side. While Horseshoe Falls, the largest and most iconic of the three, it’s located on the Canadian side. The views from the Canadian side are arguably the best, but the American side of Niagara Falls should not be overlooked.

One of the most popular areas to explore in Niagara Falls State Park is Goat Island. Goat Island has a pathway to Luna Island, which is between Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. In each direction you’ll have clear views of the magnificent rushing waters.

For a list of fun things to do on the American side of the falls, check out my post here.

Compared to the very popular Niagara Falls State Park, Chittenango is not only fairly unknown, but very underrated. Located just about 40 minutes outside of Syracuse, Chittenango Falls State Park houses a 167-foot tiered waterfall surrounded by an incredibly scenic gorge.

Chittenango Falls is very accessible as long as you’re okay with some stairs. Just steps from the parking lot you’ll be able to view the magnificent, cascading waterfall from above. But the best view is down from below. Follow the signs leading you down to the bottom of the gorge. As I mentioned, there are steps and a few steep areas, but once you reach the wooden bridge at the bottom of the gorge, I can promise you’ll be astounded by your view.

While Chittenango Falls is not nearly as popular as some of the other state parks on this list, it’s a special, hidden gem and one of the best state parks in New York.

Green Lakes State Park is just as stunning as it is unique. Another New York state park that I would consider fairly underrated, it’s home to one of the rarest lake types in the world!

The two lakes located in Green Lakes State Park are meromictic lakes, meaning they have no seasonal mixing. This allows a lot of visibility into the lakes and gives them a vibrant turquoise color. Many parts of the lakes you can also see right down to the bottom. 

This one is located outside of Syracuse, NY and has a beautiful walking trail surrounded by lush forests, a nature center, playgrounds, a golf course, picnic areas, a beach, and canoe rentals.

Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my personal favorites. I’ve visited during summer and towards the end of winter, but regardless of the time of year, its astounding beauty makes it one of the best state parks in New York.

Taughannock Falls has a drop of 215 feet. It’s one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. The park itself is 750 acres and features outstanding nature trails, cabin rentals, campsites overlooking Cayuga Lake, and a beautiful Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is a great place to start as it’s right next to the best viewpoint in the entire park. Here you’ll get a complete overlook of the cascading falls surrounded by the gorge. From there hike the Gorge Trail, which is a fairly easy 1.9 miles out and back. At the end of the trail you’ll get to marvel at the up close view of Taughannock Falls. It truly leaves you breathless.

Enjoy These New York State Parks!

As I mentioned earlier, there are over 200 state parks in New York and we are so lucky to have so many of them within a few hours of Buffalo. Each of these state parks have something unique and beautiful to offer, and I hope you enjoy exploring them as much as I do! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below and happy travels!