Best State Parks in Upstate New York

Upstate New York is a beautiful place to visit. With so many natural areas and lovely scenery, it’s easy to decide to visit upstate New York, but how to decide where to go? Here’s a guide to the best state parks in upstate New York.

If you truly want to get out into the wilderness, Gilbert Lake State Park offers everything you can possibly want contained in the middle of nowhere. Located in lovely Laurens, NY, Gilbert Lake State Park is truly one of the most beautiful state parks in Upstate New York. Boating, fishing, nature trails and outdoor recreation, including baseball and Frisbee golf, are all located on site. The nature trails are truly not to be missed, as they wind throughout this large state park and around the lake. The wildlife is easy to access. If you have some free time, be sure to stop in to the small museum dedicated to the history of Gilbert Lake State Park, emphasizing the fact that it was developed during Roosevelt’s presidency and was responsible for providing jobs to those who desperately needed them. The campgrounds are beautiful, with cabin, RV and tent camping available. Every time that we have stayed here, we have found the whole park beautifully clean and wonderfully well run. There are picnic shelters with tidy grills, some located near the outdoor recreation areas, for day trips. Although Laurens, NY is located far from the grind of everyday life, it’s still only a short drive from both the Soccer and Baseball Halls of Fame.

On the west bank of the Hudson River lies Bear Mountain State Park. This park has plenty of outdoor activities for people desiring a more active trip to a state park. There is a swimming pool, hiking and biking trails, plenty of skiing trails and a small zoo. It is well worth checking into the beautifully decorated merry-go-round at this state park. Rentals of the picnic shelters near the merry-go-round provide a great place for a child’s birthday party.

Moreau Lake State Park is close to both Saratoga Spring and Lake George in the heart of what I consider to be one of the most beautiful areas of upstate New York. Both pine and hardwoods make this an enticing and beautiful spot to visit, and it is not far from Glens Falls, NY, where one can get back in touch with civilization. Camping is provided in the form of both tent and trailer sites, and the huge outdoor pavilion can be rented on a daily basis. Hiking trails are available during the summer months, and snowshoes are made available during winter.

No description of state parks in upstate New York is complete without a discussion of Niagara Falls State Park. In 2007, this state park was labeled as one of the 10th Most Beautiful Spot in America by the Today Show, but this does not fully do this state park justice. As the oldest state park in America, the beautiful gardens entice one to enter, but the show of Niagara Falls itself encourage you to spend the day, or the week. This state park offers gift shops and guided scenic tours that are well worth the visit. During the summer, guided hiking tours take visitors up to the falls and through the gardens. Truly a state park not to be missed!