New York is a state filled with natural wonders from east to west. Whether it's the quiet beauty of the Catskill Mountains or the thunderous Niagara Falls, the state has an incredible variety of landscapes that are worth seeing. The state has 180 parks, including the oldest one in the country, in which visitors can reconnect with nature and still have the comforts of modern civilization just a few miles away. So whether you want to enjoy a weekend hiking by yourself or roast marshmallows under the moon with your loved ones, New York has some excellent parks that are worthy of visiting.
Here are 5 local attractions that you should check out on your next camping trip.
1. Allegany State Park
With 64,800 acres of forested land, Allegany State Park is the largest state park in New York and one of the leading tourist attractions in the state. Some of the park's most interesting views include its heavily forested terrain, multiple rivers, the scenic Quaker Lake, and its fascinating bear caves and thunder rocks. Allegany is also home to an incredibly rich biodiversity and its bird conservation area status make it a particularly attractive spot for birdwatchers.
Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Thanks to the park's well-kept trail system, visitors of all ages and abilities can explore it without any trouble. Quaker Lake is also an excellent place to practice a variety of water sports such as boating, fishing, and swimming. Visitors can also ice fish in the lake during the winter or have fun snowmobiling and cross-country skiing through the snowy forest.
With 424 campsites and 3 group camps, the park has one of the largest campgrounds in the state and most of its facilities are handicapped-accessible. Some of the amenities offered include restrooms with showers and flush toilets, dumping station, laundry, picnic tables, bathhouse, boat launch and rentals, convenience stores, and more. The campgrounds also have excellent baseball, softball, and tennis courts that offer recreational opportunities for people of all age.
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