Eight Unique Park Road Trips in NYS

New York is a fairly large state (it takes over ten hours to travel from its eastern-most point of Montauk to its western reaches along Lake Erie). Therefore, we've highlighted destinations in different regions that may be closer to home but still prove to be an excellent adventure. We chose eight different parks and historic sites across eight different regions offering a mix of nature, history, camping, beaches, and even carnival rides. So grab the family or some friends, hop behind the wheel and discover what our remarkable park system has to offer!

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Catskills: John Burroughs Memorial State Historic Site

How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. – John Burroughs

An excellent Fall adventure through the Catskills region of New York will likely land you at two distinct homes of the famous literary naturalist, John Burroughs.

In Roxbury, N.Y., Burroughs’ final resting place overlooks a quiet field surrounded by views of the Catskill Mountains. He was buried on his 84th birthday in what is now Burroughs Memorial Field, which was part of his family's farm. The rural landscape which helped to shape his early appreciation of nature now features a picnic grove and a trail leading to his grave site. Woodchuck Lodge, Burroughs' small farmhouse, can be toured just up the road.

An hour and a half from the Lodge, you will find the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary, a pristine and rugged 200-acre oasis set in the mid-Hudson River Valley where Burroughs built his rustic cabin. The John Burroughs Association owns and maintains the Nature Sanctuary where it brings to life the legacy, writing, and natural world of John Burroughs. Nine trails lead you through rocky ridges and out into peninsula in a stunning eight-acre pond, enabling you to experience the same forest, waterfalls, fern valleys, wildflowers, and wildlife that Burroughs reveled in over 100 years ago. It's a beautiful place to soak in the changing of the seasons while seeing the world through the eyes of a famous American naturalist.

Palisades: Sterling Forest State Park

The New York-New Jersey border offers nearly 22,000 acres of "nearly pristine environment amidst of one of the nation's most densely populated areas." Sterling Forest State Park, located in the Ramapo Mountains in Orange County, N.Y., provides an ideal destination for those seeking a natural, peaceful escape from the city--perfect for social distancing and wildlife watching this Fall. The park is a sanctuary for migratory species, including black bears, a variety of hawks and songbirds and many rare invertebrates and plants. It also provides spectacular opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Sterling Forest State Park is among the larger additions to the New York state park system in the last 50 years, created after a public-private partnership to Save Sterling Forest was created. Resulting negotiations led to the establishment of the park in 1998.

The park borders Harriman State Park to the east, which provides 52,000 more acres of mostly forested landscape and hundreds of miles of trails. This two-for-one road trip will prove to be a hiker’s paradise for those who need a weekend (or longer) escape into the great outdoors.

Saratoga/ Capital District: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

The Capital District has a wealth of state historic sites that we recommend taking the time to explore on your road trip through the region. One worthy of highlighting is Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.in Fort Hunter, N.Y. Established in 1966, the site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal.

Before you visit, make a reservation at the Visitor Center for an in-depth look at the history of the Erie Canal and its vital impact on the Empire State. During your visit, you will find hiking and biking trails from which you can explore fragments of the three eras of the canal’s development. Explore on your own or take a tour. The site's largest structure is the evocative remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct which carried the water of the enlarged Erie Canal over Schoharie Creek.

After exploring the bones of one of the nineteenth century's greatest commercial and engineering projects, seek out one of the picnic areas at the site for an afternoon lunch.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers educational outreach programs as well as an on-site school field trips and special events. Look out for a slew of events (mostly virtual) on the site’s Facebook page. If you make it to the Visitor Center on September 29 between 1:00 p.m.and 4:00 p.m., you can explore the exhibit and maybe even the rest of the site while you enjoy National Coffee Day! Find more events on the Friends of Schoharie Crossing blog.

Taconic Region: Fahnestock State Park

Searching for an overnight trip in the Taconic region? Look no further than Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. Just 50 miles north of New York City, this 14,000-acre park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, a scenic campground, and abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding.

The true highlight of the park is the 100+ miles of hiking trails, part of which intersects the Appalachian Trail, offering stunning glimpses of the changing seasons and making Fahnestock the perfect destination for a multi-day excursion. After a long day of hiking, you will find peace and tranquility at a scenic campground that features 80 campsites located along the park's natural rock ridges. You can purchase a full map of hiking trails online from the NY-NJ Trail Conference. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center

The park was created as a memorial to Clarence Fahnestock who died in the post-World War I influenza epidemic treating patients. His brother, Dr. Ernest Fahnestock, donated 2,400 acres in 1929.

The Friends of Fahnestock and the Hudson Highlands State Parks support stewardship of the park's natural and historical resources, as well as providing educational and recreational opportunities for the public

Want to explore more before you go? Take the virtual tour!

Thousand Islands Region: Robert G. Wehle State Park

A road trip to the Thousand Islands region is one of the best bangs for your buck, for there are over a dozen state parks within a 60-mile drive along the St. Lawrence River between Ogdensburg and Cape Vincent (that’s a state park every 5 miles!). One of our recommended stops is the region's newest park: Robert G. Wehle State Park. Its location on the end of a peninsula jutting out into Henderson Bay provides a generous 17,000 feet of spectacular Lake Ontario shoreline according to the NYS Parks website. The park offers over 12 miles of marvelous hiking and biking trails, scenic picnic areas, and an active playground in the shape of a dog’s footprint. One of the more outstanding features of the 1,100-acre park is the “compound,” consisting of a main cottage, guest house, and recreation room which sleeps up to eight that groups can rent.

Robert A. Wehle (pronounced “way-lee”) was an avid conservationist, sculptor, and dog breeder who lived on the land before he passed away in 2002, leaving the land to NYS Parks. The 13 trails are all named after his English Pointers and several of his sculptures can be found dotting the park.

Want to see more? Take the virtual tour.

Allegany Region: Allegany State Park

New York’s largest state park features a multitude of offerings for those who make the road trip to the southwestern edge of the state. The park's 64,000 acres offers many hiking trail along flowing streams and through lush valleys and plenty of leisurely walk options such as the path around Red House Lake. For more strenuous endeavors, Mt. Tuscarora is a rewarding climb and the steep hike up to the historic ski lift will certainly pique the interest of those with an eye on the past. The park features three lakes and five miles of paved bike paths, plus boat and bike rentals, a sandy beach for swimming, and plenty of fishing opportunities. Naturalist-led interpretive programs feature butterflies, night hikes, wild edibles, and more. Well-maintained cross-country ski and snowmobile trails make the park an ideal winter destination.

Allegany is also a major camping destination, with camping options ranging from rustic tent sites and RV areas to basic cabins and fully-equipped cottages. A restaurant with many positive reviews from visitors, as well as shops near the rental office, are popular with patrons.

One of the entities keeping the park so attractive is the Friends of Allegany State Park, a volunteer organization that plays a very active role in the park throughout the year by hosting programs and events, including weekly tours of the fire tower and stone tower. Recently, the Friends partnered with the Western NY Mountain Biking Association to construct several miles of trails and are working, through a second Park and Trail Partnership Grant, to renovate the historic Red House Sawmill.

Long Island Region: Orient Beach State Park

If you wanted to leave Midway State Park and take one of the longest road trips possible to another New York state park, this location on the very eastern tip of Long Island’s north fork will fulfill that quest. Upon reaching the park and gazing out at the calm waters of Gardiners Bay, it is obvious why it is a prime destination for kayakers who use the public launch for their own kayaks or rent from the nearby kiosk.

The nearly five miles of trails in this designated National Natural Landmark will take you through a unique maritime forest and past salt water marshes flourishing with avian life (enough to recognize it as an Audubon Important Bird Area). Another remarkable feature is the ability to view four different lighthouses from its shores.

Tip: It’s best to arrive early during the height of the season since the parking lot can fill up quickly. One option is to bring bicycles and park down the shore and get treated to a 2-mile bike ride along the water.

Niagara Region: Whirlpool State Park

The Niagara Region is of course most associated with its Natural Wonder of the World and that state park is undoubtedly a “not to miss” in the area. However, just downstream where the waters are calmer (relatively speaking) lies a slower-paced park where visitors can experience the more natural features of the gorge through which the Niagara River flows.

This double-level park provides spectacular views of the Niagara Whirlpool and the rapids that feed it. A generous amount of sturdy stone steps descends to the river level, allowing hikers to sit directly on the river’s rocky shore. There are picnic areas, a playground, and restrooms on the upper level so those who are too young or may not be physically capable to make the trek down below can still enjoy this fabulous park.