Plus One Bonus Trail You Won’t Want to Miss
Our State Park system keeps growing, and that means more places to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. These newer state parks reflect a bigger effort to improve access and welcome more people into outdoor spaces across the state.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore, here are New York’s five newest state parks to explore:
Coming Soon: High Falls State Park (Rochester)
In development
High Falls State Park will bring new public access to one of Rochester’s most striking natural features. Planning and design are underway, with a focus on reconnecting the city to the Genesee River and the High Falls area.
It’s not open yet, but it’s a project worth watching
Three Falls State Park (Finger Lakes)
Designated: 2026
Three Falls State Park is the newest addition to the state park system. A former summer camp located along Cayuga Lake, this site brings together shoreline, wooded areas, and a series of waterfalls that give the park its name.
The park is in its early stages, with plans for trails, cabins, and visitor amenities. Even now, it represents an exciting step forward in protecting land and creating new opportunities for public access.
Sojourner Truth State Park (Kingston)
Opened: 2022
Sojourner Truth State Park sits along the Hudson River in Kingston on a former industrial site. Today, it offers open stunning views, walking paths, and connections to the Empire State Trail.
The park opened in 2022 and has quickly become a place where people come to spend time by the water.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (Brooklyn)
Reimagined: 2020
Formerly East River State Park, this Brooklyn waterfront space was renamed and redesigned in 2020 to honor Marsha P. Johnson.
Native plantings, public art, and views of the Manhattan skyline make it a perfect space for connecting with the community and nature. It shows how an existing park can take on new life through thoughtful updates.
Shirley Chisholm State Park (Brooklyn)
Opened: 2019
Shirley Chisholm State Park is one of the largest state parks in New York City. Built on a reclaimed landfill, it now offers miles of paths, open areas, and sweeping views of Jamaica Bay.
Since opening in 2019, it has become a go-to destination for biking, walking, and spending time outdoors.
Bonus: Adirondack Rail Trail
Opened in phases, complete in 2025
The Adirondack Rail Trail might not be a state park, but it definitely belongs on this list as a new place to visit. Built along a former rail corridor, the 34-mile trail connects Lake Placid to Tupper Lake and offers a new way to experience the Adirondacks.
What are you waiting for?? Visit a new state park this season!