Explore the Outdoors

Walk, hike, bike, swim, ski, paddle, tour…explore New York’s awesome parks and trails!

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We love the outdoors in New York. And we believe in protecting and celebrating these treasured outdoor places for everyone to enjoy, forever.

From the tip of Long Island to Niagara Falls, New York’s parks and trails span an amazing array of landscapes. You can explore spectacular scenery—ocean beaches, great lakes, and magnificent mountains. Or discover quiet places close-to-home to recharge and connect with nature.

New York’s crown jewels

Thacher_Park_Viewer.jpgNew York’s state parks—from the seascape at Montauk to the thunder of Niagara, from the forests of Allegany to the explorer’s paradise of the Thousand Islands—are its crown jewels. With 215 unique state parks and historic sites , you’ll find countless ways to experience New York’s great outdoor and historic heritage.

The Adirondack Forest Preserve, encompassing one-third of the total land area of New York, contains the tallest mountains in the state, vast forests,numerous lakes, ponds and rivers, and many historic towns and villages. When you add in the Catskill Forest Preserve and the many state forests and wildlife management areas, the Empire State is unparalleled in outdoor recreational resources.

If you like to camp, you’re in luck. New York has 15,000 campsites. Whether you’re looking for a lake view setting or a mountaintop perch, you’ll find a perfect home under the stars.

Trails to everywhere

If you like to hike, thousands of miles of trails beckon, whether you aspire to climb the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks, hike one of the state’s long-distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail, or simply seek a nearby tranquil place for a nature walk.

If you prefer your trails a little flatter and a little wider, explore the many rail and canal trails, greenways and bikeways throughout the state.

If you want to experience Upstate New York in a totally new way, check out the Erie Canalway Trail, the longest and most historic multi-use trail in the nation. The trail, which stretches 360 miles between Buffalo and Albany, is now more than three-quarters complete. The Erie Canalway Trail, along with the Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canalway Trails, offers endless adventures exploring charming towns, living history, scenic beauty, and cultural attractions.

Create lasting outdoor memories

Find your own unique outdoor experience in New York and start creating lasting memories today. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletters so you can stay up-to-date with activities and events that will make your visits to New York’s awesome parks and trails even more fun and rewarding.