With fall approaching – and plenty of pumpkin-spiced beverages and harvest-themed activities on the horizon – a walk in the woods remains my favorite way to unwind.
New York’s state park system offer some incredible trails, many with stunning waterfalls, that surround you with nature, particularly as you enjoy the foliage in the fall.
There are more than 180 state parks in the Empire State – from Niagara Falls to Long Island. Here are five favorite state parks to explore this fall:
Robert H. Treman State Park
Located several miles west of Ithaca in Tompkins County, the 1,072-acre state park boasts nine miles of hiking trails and many waterfalls, including the 115-foot cascade – Lucifer Falls – in the upper park. The 2-mile-long Gorge Trail easily gets the most foot traffic and offers stunning views of autumn hues. This moderate-level trail has loads of stairs, but also hugs Enfield Creek. There are several spots along the creek perfect for skipping stones, and at times you walk alongside steep gorge walls carved by glaciers.
Treman’s 2 1/4-mile Rim Trail offers a panoramic view of Lucifer Falls and has the aptly-named Cliff Staircase, a steep switchback of stone steps that span more than 100 feet. The top of the staircase offers a wide view of the glen and park. Much of the Rim Trail takes hikers through a mature forest.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Located in Ulster County, Minnewaska park preserve is located on Shawangunk Mountain Ridge which is roughly 2,000 feet above sea level. The preserve features a variety of trail levels for hikers of all abilities – including the ever-popular “strenuous” 6.7-mile loop of Gertrude’s Nose, which includes clifftop trails and vertigo-inducing perches with spectacular views.
There are 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of hiking trails, some of which lead straight to breathtaking waterfalls such as the mile-long walk to Awosting Falls and a 5-mile-loop (mostly on a gravel path) to Rainbow Falls, where two cascades flow side by side.
Watkins Glen State Park
Dark and damp, a cavernous trail leads hikers through a 400-foot-deep gorge along Glen Creek, Watkins Glen is the oldest state park in the Finger Lakes. A walk along a stone pathway, through chiseled tunnels, spiraled steps and stone bridges transports visitors into the unmistakable landscape, a world of natural stone, flowing water and misty spray. The 778-acre park is best known for its most popular attraction, the Gorge Trail, which is about 1.5 miles long and spans the length of the park. The gorge follows the path of Glen Creek and features 832 stone steps. On the trail, you’ll walk under two waterfalls: Cavern Cascade and the iconic Rainbow Falls.
Visitors flock here on fall weekends, so hit the trail early or aim to explore the glen on a weekday to avoid massive crowds. A fog is also looming in the glen many mornings, creating an even more spectacular setting. Note that 117-year-old sentry bridge at the foot of the Gorge Trail has closed as it to be removed and rebuilt in a $7.5 million NY Works project. Hikers can still access the Gorge Trail from the park’s main entrance, just through another route- a section of the North Rim trail.
Harriman State Park
Located in Rockland and Orange counties – roughly 30 miles northwest of New York City – this massive state park has more than 225 miles of hiking trails. There are more than 40 marked trails within the 74-square-mile state park, including a nearly 19-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Some of the easier hikes circle some of the park’s 31 lakes and reservoirs. Several hikes – including the popular Reaves Brook-Racoon Brook Hills loop – begin at the park’s visitor center, located in the southwest corner of the park.
The state park – New York’s second largest state park with more than 47,500 acres – is bordered by two other state parks: Bear Mountain and Sterling Forest and is a stone’s throw from West Point Military Academy.
Letchworth State Park
With 14,350 acres and roughly 17 miles that span Livingston and Wyoming counties, the popular state park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” The Genesee River runs through a 550-foot-tall gorge that cuts through the park. Known for its vibrant autumn colors, leaf-peepers flock to Letchworth each fall.
Hikers have access to 66 miles of trails that vary in difficulty and length, from a half-mile to eight miles.
The 20 main trails, are marked and accessible from the park’s main road, which stretches from Mount Morris to Portageville. While Letchworth’s trails aren’t the most challenging, the park offers something for everyone.
No matter your age or fitness level, you’ll find a trail to fit your needs. One popular spot is a (sometimes muddy) half-mile trail that leads to Letchworth’s Lower Falls and a picturesque stone footbridge.
The spot is the lone bridge within the park that allows hikers to traverse the river, and connects trails on the east and west side of the mighty Genesee.
The popular mile-long Autism Nature Trail (ANT), nestled in the woods near the park’s Humphrey Nature Center, is also a huge hit with families and folks with sensory sensitivities.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 5 must-visit NY state parks for fall foliage and waterfall hikes: See the list
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
