The Adirondack Park covers six million acres. Alongside its size is a legal distinction: the Forest Preserve lands within the park are protected as “forever wild” under Article XIV of the New York State Constitution. The area figure and the protection provision describe two different things: the figure refers to the entire park, while the constitutional protection applies expressly to the Forest Preserve lands.
Gorges, Waterfalls and Trails
Enfield Glen in Robert H. Treman State Park includes twelve waterfalls, including 115-foot-high Lucifer Falls. Taughannock Falls has different dimensions: its waters plunge 215 feet past cliffs that rise nearly 400 feet above the gorge. The trails also offer different perspectives. In Taughannock Falls State Park, gorge and rim trails provide views of the waterfalls from above, as well as from below at the end of the gorge trail. A multi-use trail is suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing.
In Watkins Glen State Park, the gorge trail passes over and under waterfalls. The Watkins Glen Gorge Tour follows Glen Creek through tunnels, alongside two waterfalls and beneath them. Tour schedules may vary; check the latest information before making plans.
Scenery, Birdlife and Trails
In Letchworth State Park, the Genesee River forms three gorges. The park is also designated a Bird Conservation Area; more than twenty species of wood warblers regularly nest there each year. The river-shaped landscape and the birdlife are distinct aspects of this park.
Looking at New York State as a whole broadens the picture: New York has more than 2,000 miles of trails, 215 parks and more than 3,000 ponds and lakes. These figures apply to the state as a whole, not to any one park.
The Erie Canalway Trail runs 360.3 miles from Buffalo to Albany. The Canalway Trail is part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail. The Canalway Trail offers opportunities for cycling, hiking and jogging, as well as other seasonal activities. At many points along the trail, you’ll find trailhead parking, information kiosks with historical information about the canal system, picnic tables and benches, bike racks, and repair stations.
Discover History and Culture
The Women's Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first women's rights convention, held on July 19 and 20, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York. Wesleyan Chapel is the site of that first convention. The park's ranger programs cover women's rights in Seneca Falls. If you plan to attend a program, check the current schedule before your visit.
Architecture and historic fortifications are also among the discoveries: Saratoga Spa State Park is a National Historic Landmark, distinguished by its classical architecture. The historic site of Old Fort Niagara includes 18th-century fortifications in several original buildings.
Taste NY Markets give visitors the opportunity to sample and taste local food and drinks. Individual market locations and offerings may change; check what’s currently available before planning a specific visit.
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