New York never ceases to amaze with its many facets. The city is always full of incredible landscapes and picturesque nature. And we love telling you about New York’s most beautiful places. This time, we’re focusing on some of nature’s true gems—waterfalls. So, forget the “all-inclusive” resorts, reconnect with nature, and relax to the fullest. More on new-york.name.
Chittenango Falls State Park
This is a 193-acre (0.78 km2) state park located in Madison County, New York, just east of Cazenovia Lake.
The park is home to a magnificent 167-foot waterfall that cascades down a cliff. Interestingly, the cliff itself is 400 million years old.
At the base of the waterfall, Chittenango Creek flows under a wooden bridge. The park offers a variety of activities, including picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, nature trails for hiking, and fishing.
The park sees an average of 45,000 visitors each year.
Chittenango Falls State Park is also home to the endemic Chittenango ovate amber snail (Novisuccinea chittenangoensis), which is unfortunately an endangered species.
Fillmore Glen State Park
Fillmore Glen State Park is an oasis of cool, dense forests packed into a long, narrow gorge. Its hiking trails offer stunning views and unique geological formations, including five beautiful waterfalls and a botanically rich valley. The park has 60 campsites. In the winter, the roads are open for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
For those who prefer a little more comfort, the park offers a full-service cottage located on the shore of Cayuga Lake at Long Point.
The cottage has all the modern conveniences you’d need, including a kitchen with a gas stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and hot water, as well as electricity. It also has a bedroom with a double bed and dressers, a main room with a pull-out couch and furniture, a dining table with chairs, a wood stove, a boat dock, a picnic table, a fire pit, and a small lawn. The cottage has everything you could want and more for a wonderful vacation.
Watkins Glen State Park
Known for its natural beauty, Watkins Glen State Park features a series of waterfalls and gorges that are sure to impress anyone. The park has 19 waterfalls and several small trails. It also offers camping spots, a swimming pool, picnic areas, and tours of the local terrain.
The entrance to the park is located right on Main Street in Watkins Glen. For some, it might be a plus that the park is so close to town, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Minnewaska State Park
Minnewaska State Park is located on the stunning Shawangunk Ridge, which rises high above sea level and is surrounded by a rugged, rocky landscape. The park is home to numerous waterfalls, three crystal-clear “sky lakes,” dense hardwood forests, and cliffs and ledges with incredible views. And it’s all just an hour and a half away from New York City.
Park visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, and boating. You can also have a picnic with an amazing view.
Horseback riding trails are also available, and in the colder months, the park has trails for winter sports lovers.
The park has a designated camping area with a cooking zone, baths, toilets, and circular trails. There are 24 drive-up sites (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in sites. All sites can accommodate up to two tents and four people. The campground is open from mid-May to mid-November, weather permitting.
Niagara Falls State Park
Located in Niagara Falls, New York, Niagara Falls State Park is recognized as the oldest state park in the United States.
Before the 19th century, the waterfall and all the surrounding areas were controlled by private interests, so public access to the park was limited.
In 1879, at the request of the New York State Legislature, landscape architect Olmsted and state surveyor James Gardner helped prepare a special report on the conditions of the waterfall. The report advocated for increased public access to the falls. The report was accompanied by a publicity campaign and petitions that helped bring public attention to the issue.
In 1883, Olmsted’s efforts paid off, and the governor at the time signed a bill that allowed tourists to visit the park.
In 2007, Niagara Falls State Park was named the 10th most beautiful place in America by “The Today Show.”
In addition to the main attraction, you can find plenty of other things to do in the park. For example, you can take a boat cruise. This is one of the most popular attractions, where you can get very close to the base of the waterfall and feel the power of the falling water.
The park also has a theater where you can watch a short film about the falls. If you want even more nature, the park has an aquarium with animals from all over the world. They are mesmerizing to watch and will be fun for both kids and adults. There are also activities for adrenaline junkies, so don’t hesitate or put off your trip—the falls are waiting for you!
Cohoes Falls
Cohoes Falls is the second-largest waterfall in New York State. It’s located on the Mohawk River, a major waterway in northwestern New York.
The falls were discovered by the indigenous Iroquois tribe, who originally called them “Ga-ha-oose.” There’s even a legend about a chief’s daughter who fell asleep in her canoe and floated toward the falls.
The waterfall was first noted by European explorers and colonists in the mid-17th century and was considered one of the most famous natural sights in America, especially since at that time Niagara Falls was only accessible to fur traders and was off-limits to ordinary tourists.
The falls are approximately 70 feet high and about 1,000 feet wide, making them one of the widest on the East Coast of the United States. Researchers estimate that they discharge an average of 27,000 cubic feet of water per second. The waterfall was formed as a result of melting glaciers.
There are several hiking trails around the falls that lead visitors to observation decks with incredible views of the waterfall.
Croton Dam in Croton Gorge Park
Croton Gorge Park is a 97-acre park located near the Croton Dam that’s perfect for a day out in nature. Here you can admire incredible views, and the park also has spots for fishing and picnics. The park features a stunning waterfall that cascades down rocks, and a pedestrian bridge nearby where tourists can walk.
Amidst the skyscrapers, New York residents and tourists often don’t realize that incredible natural wonders are just a few miles from the metropolis.
From the tallest to the smallest, each waterfall has its own unique history and significance. They shape landscapes, provide water for plants and animals, and influence the region’s climate.
We hope this list of parks with waterfalls helps you plan a great trip where you can relax and reconnect with nature. Don’t hesitate—add these natural wonders to your must-visit list. You’ll definitely love it, as the waterfalls are not the only impressive thing here—the available activities are, too.
Sources:
- https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2020/10/22/now-then-history-minnewaska-state-park-preserve/6003414002/
- https://parks.ny.gov/parks/fillmoreglen/details.aspx
- https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/research-collections/geology/resources/cohoes-falls#:~:text=Discovered%20by%20the%20indigenous%20Mohawk,and%20drifted%20over%20the%20falls.