What are the best State Parks? (New York, Huntington: camping, maintenance, taxes)

[Jeromeville]

Okay, okay, I promise this is my last thread for the evening...!

I think we could use a thread about NY's State Parks. I visit many of them every year and am always looking for recommendations or reviews of places I haven't been yet, especially the more obscure or out of the way ones. Besides, part of the dreadful taxes we pay in New York go to their maintenance and development... so, the way I see it, I try to enjoy them as much as possible and get my money's worth. And it is heartbreaking to think that so many NY citizens (especially those in the inner cities) never get to enjoy them.

Some of the parks nearest to cities are very popular and crowded and well known, like the state beaches, the ones near Ithaca, and Green Lakes near Syracuse, etc.

One of the more obscure parks I'd like to recommend is Pixley Falls up near Boonville (north of Rome). It is on the same road as Delta Lake, about 10 miles further up. This has one big waterfall, but if you go on the hiking trail it is a mini waterfall wonderama. You can also camp right on a fishing creek (literally right next to the water). There is also an incredibly cool trail that goes by the old Black River Canal locks... must be seen to be believed, the old locks back in the woods.

Do you have any favorites to recommend (or not so good ones to avoid...)?

[piperspal]

I hope you get a lot of responses - I don't know very many state parks first hand. The few I have been to are beautiful, but not with so many waterfalls. I'll have to check out your suggestions.

Thatcher St. Park just outside of Voorheesville has a sweeping panoramic view that looks out over the Helderberg Escarpment. Indian Ladder Trail is an easy walk for most, so it's a fun place to take out of town visitors.

I've been to Chenango St. Pk. near Binghamton - nice paved roads for bicycling & roller blading, etc.

A couple of places down in the Hudson Valley, but I don't know if they are actual state parks? Examples are Bear Mountain near West Point. Breathtaking views. Also Mohonk & the (sp?) Shandaken Reservoir; and any of the Hyde Park mansions along the river. Not sure if any of those are actual state parks - I didn't grow up here. (like that should matter, lol )

[Jeromeville]

I've been to:

Green Lakes - gorgeous lakes, great trail system, fancy golf course, but very crowded sometimes http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=green+lakes+state+park (yes the water really is that color)
Fair Haven - nice beach on Lake Ontario tho not my favorite
Selkirk Shores
Southwick Beach - my fave Ontario beach
Westcott Beach - also a good Ontario beach
Pixley Falls
Whetstone Gulf - has a creek and rock formation trail
Letchworth - the grandaddy, you're gonna need at least 2 full days minimum
Robert Treman - up close and personal with a very tall waterfall and about a thousand stone stairs! http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=lucifer+falls+treman
Watkins Glen - like being in Rivendell... one trail, 19 waterfalls... definitely one of the "must see" parks - http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=watkins+glen
Fillmore Glen - sort of like a smaller Watkins Glen but still very nice
Chenango Valley - nice trails
Hunts Pond - very small park geared toward fishing
Oquaga Creek - kind of a new park, didn't stay long so I couldn't get a feel for it
Bowman Lake - nice and woodsy
Moreau Lake - love this place, always stop here on way to or back from Adirondacks, it has awesome campsites
Glimmerglass - didn't really like that much though the lake is pretty
Chittenango Falls - nice day trip from Syracuse... no camping though
Niagara Falls - no description required!
Clark Reservation - nice for a cookout but wasn't thrilled by trails or lake
and probably some more I am forgetting.

I'm amazed that the state keeps creating more parks. They just turned the island in the middle of Oneida Lake into a state park. (boat-in only)

Next year I hope to go to Wellesley Island, Allegany, Taughannock Falls, Newtown Battlefield and Evangola on Lake Erie (I'm taking a trip out that way and need a place to camp)

Some parks are better run than others. The ones near metro areas have better staff, but the level of service seems to be pretty uniform. I know NY's entrance and camping fees are expensive compared to other states probably... although, up until recently their campground rates were somewhat cheaper, but those are going up this year because of the budget problems.

[Krisps]

Maybe one of the best assets of living in NY and paying such high taxes is the great park system. But on the other hand, they still charge for admission while lower-taxed Pennsylvania also has a great park system and charges no admission to their parks.

I visit Allegany state park regularly, all year round. It's not spectacular, but huge and beautiful, a couple small lakes, lots of hills, creeks, deer, turkey, bear, etc. I'm not sure, but it might get more visitors in the winter. It's within the Lake Erie snow belt so it's a great place for snowmobiling and skiiing. It has the best and most challenging x-country ski trails I know of (these same trails then become mountain bike trails in the summer).

I know there are a couple NY state parks on Lake Erie, but if you're in the area, I would have to recommend Presque Isle state park in Pennsylvania. It's one of my favorite all time parks, just tons to do and see there. I don't think you can find better beaches or sunsets on an inland waterfront.

[juppiter]

John Boyd Thatcher State Park, about 15 minutes from where I grew up. Just an awesome, awesome place with great views and great trails.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by Jeromeville

I've been to:

Green Lakes - gorgeous lakes, great trail system, fancy golf course, but very crowded sometimes Flickr: Search (yes the water really is that color)
Fair Haven - nice beach on Lake Ontario tho not my favorite
Selkirk Shores
Southwick Beach - my fave Ontario beach
Westcott Beach - also a good Ontario beach
Pixley Falls
Whetstone Gulf - has a creek and rock formation trail
Letchworth - the grandaddy, you're gonna need at least 2 full days minimum
Robert Treman - up close and personal with a very tall waterfall and about a thousand stone stairs! Flickr: Search
Watkins Glen - like being in Rivendell... one trail, 19 waterfalls... definitely one of the "must see" parks - http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=watkins+glen
Fillmore Glen - sort of like a smaller Watkins Glen but still very nice
Chenango Valley - nice trails
Hunts Pond - very small park geared toward fishing
Oquaga Creek - kind of a new park, didn't stay long so I couldn't get a feel for it
Bowman Lake - nice and woodsy
Moreau Lake - love this place, always stop here on way to or back from Adirondacks, it has awesome campsites
Glimmerglass - didn't really like that much though the lake is pretty
Chittenango Falls - nice day trip from Syracuse... no camping though
Niagara Falls - no description required!
Clark Reservation - nice for a cookout but wasn't thrilled by trails or lake
and probably some more I am forgetting.

I'm amazed that the state keeps creating more parks. They just turned the island in the middle of Oneida Lake into a state park. (boat-in only)

Next year I hope to go to Wellesley Island, Allegany, Taughannock Falls, Newtown Battlefield and Evangola on Lake Erie (I'm taking a trip out that way and need a place to camp)

Some parks are better run than others. The ones near metro areas have better staff, but the level of service seems to be pretty uniform. I know NY's entrance and camping fees are expensive compared to other states probably... although, up until recently their campground rates were somewhat cheaper, but those are going up this year because of the budget problems.

One of the interesting things about New York is that it is one of the few eastern states that can rival the western states in scenery and wilderness. Here are a few comments on some of your choices.

Letchworth - I bet most people, even here on CD never heard of Letchworth. Easily could be a National Monument.
Watkins Glen. I like your Rivendell describtion lol. This park and the other waterfall parks in the Finger Lakes area (like Robert Treman, Chittenango Falls & Fillmore Glen) are a big part of why the NY system is better than most other states imho.
Adirondacks Preserve. Largest wilderness area in the East. Bigger than some states. 2000+ lakes, week long canoe & float trips, Longest Ski slope in the east. Lots of wildlife. Could easily be a National Park.
Niagara Falls Easily could be a National Monument.

[LINative]

Also the Catskill Forest Preserve - smaller cousin to the Adirondacks.

Moving downstate you come to the large and very scenic Harriman/Bear Mountain, Storm King, Hudson Highlands, Fahnestock and the brand new Sterling Forest state parks. In a sense they are a partial greenbelt north of New York City.

Also here on Long Island we have some nice state parks right on the ocean. Robert Moses, Montauk, Hither Hills and the famous Jones Beach!

[lifetimeliguy]

Originally Posted by Jeromeville

Okay, okay, I promise this is my last thread for the evening...!

I think we could use a thread about NY's State Parks. I visit many of them every year and am always looking for recommendations or reviews of places I haven't been yet, especially the more obscure or out of the way ones. Besides, part of the dreadful taxes we pay in New York go to their maintenance and development... so, the way I see it, I try to enjoy them as much as possible and get my money's worth. And it is heartbreaking to think that so many NY citizens (especially those in the inner cities) never get to enjoy them.

Some of the parks nearest to cities are very popular and crowded and well known, like the state beaches, the ones near Ithaca, and Green Lakes near Syracuse, etc.



One of the more obscure parks I'd like to recommend is Pixley Falls up near Boonville (north of Rome). It is on the same road as Delta Lake, about 10 miles further up. This has one big waterfall, but if you go on the hiking trail it is a mini waterfall wonderama. You can also camp right on a fishing creek (literally right next to the water). There is also an incredibly cool trail that goes by the old Black River Canal locks... must be seen to be believed, the old locks back in the woods.

Do you have any favorites to recommend (or not so good ones to avoid...)?

visit Lake Minnewaska in New Paltz. Waterfalls, lakes, magnificent cliffs. add a star if you like to mountain bike (nothing technical , but a 600' rise and fall in elevation with views that cannot be beat). Hiking and biking trails everywhere. My only complaint - no permanent bathrooms there . Lots of porta potties.
If you ever visit Long Island, check out the very underrated Sunken Meadow State Park on the LI Sound, or Caumsett State Park , a hidden gem.
Orient Beach State Park on the east end of LI (North Fork) has sunsets that challenge Presque Isle in PA .

[piperspal]

Originally Posted by LINative

Also the Catskill Forest Preserve - smaller cousin to the Adirondacks.

Moving downstate you come to the large and very scenic Harriman/Bear Mountain, Storm King, Hudson Highlands, Fahnestock and the brand new Sterling Forest state parks. In a sense they are a partial greenbelt north of New York City.

Also here on Long Island we have some nice state parks right on the ocean. Robert Moses, Montauk, Hither Hills and the famous Jones Beach!

I forgot I had been to Montauk & Jones Beach as well! Thank you!
One of the first beaches I ever went to when I moved east.
The Hudson Valley area near Bear Mtn & Storm King is one of my favorite parts of NY.

I just checked out the list on-line for NY State Parks; I guess I have been to more! Saratoga, some in the Finger Lakes region, more down state.

I would like to check out the PA parks as suggested above. The area along the state line near Callicoon is, I think, one of the prettiest stretches of country in the east.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by lifetimeliguy

visit Lake Minnewaska in New Paltz. Waterfalls, lakes, magnificent cliffs. add a star if you like to mountain bike (nothing technical , but a 600' rise and fall in elevation with views that cannot be beat). Hiking and biking trails everywhere. My only complaint - no permanent bathrooms there . Lots of porta potties.
If you ever visit Long Island, check out the very underrated Sunken Meadow State Park on the LI Sound, or Caumsett State Park , a hidden gem.
Orient Beach State Park on the east end of LI (North Fork) has sunsets that challenge Presque Isle in PA .

Caumsett State Park is a decent sized state park on Lloyds Neck in Huntington. Its mainly set up for horseback riding but I remember the last time we walked a few miles to the mansion. Its on a hill overlooking a pond and the Long Island Sound. Its been a few years but I still have that beautiful scene in my head.

We have quite a number of these mansion/estate type State and County parks across Long Island and along the Hudson River.