Five Nature Destinations to Prove Upstate New York is Underrated

If you decide to escape the city and take a trip to upstate New York, check out one of these five nature destinations for something different.

New York City, the United States’ biggest city at 8.4 million people, is a bustling, energetic metropolis with stunning skyscrapers and world-famous landmarks. The city is so recognizable and well-known that it sometimes becomes synonymous with the rest of New York state. And while it’s true that New York City is most certainly worth a trip, there’s plenty of beauty just hours outside of the urban area.

1.) Chittenango Falls State Park – Cazenovia, NY

Niagara Falls, in Buffalo, New York, is just as famous as New York City for its breathtaking waterfalls. But Chittenango Falls State Park, located right in the middle of New York, is more of a hidden gem. Receiving close to 50,000 visitors each year, the star of this state park is its 167-foot waterfall that cascades over bedrock and flows underneath a wooden bridge. Besides the beautiful views of the waterfall that Chittenango Falls State Park promises, there are also abundant opportunities for picnicking, and many hiking trails, too.

2.) Ausable Chasm – Au Sable, NY

No matter how comfortable you are with adventure-seeking and risk-taking, Ausable Chasm has something for you. It is the oldest and largest natural attraction in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, and offers so many different activities of varying difficulties and danger. You can relax on one of the nature and hiking trails, or visit the stairs and bridges that give you beautiful views of the waterfalls and surrounding forests. However, there are also more unique activities like white water rafting, rock climbing, tubing and floating on the chasm, and even rappelling. If you just can’t get enough of the Ausable Chasm, pitch a tent or rent a cabin and camp for a while!

3.) Lake George – Lake George, NY

Like the Ausable Chasm, Lake George, a long, skinny lake that stretches for thirty-two miles, is located in the Adirondack Mountains. One of the best things about this upstate New York destination is that it is stunning in all four seasons. The summer and spring offer swimming, boating, and paddleboarding in the water, along with beautiful warm weather and hiking trails, while the fall is the perfect opportunity to see the vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves New England is so well known for. But even when the weather turns colder, that doesn’t mean the beauty and fun of Lake George stops. The lake freezes over, becoming the perfect natural place for ice fishing and ice skating. There are also lifts, trails, and hills for skiing and snowboarding, and huge, stunning ice castles. One trip isn’t enough to experience all that Lake George has to offer.

4.) Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, NY

Mohonk Mountain House is less than one hundred miles north of New York City, but the setting is so different that you would never know the two were so close. Mohonk Mountain House is a Victorian-style castle that was built in the 1800s, and visitors to this stunning resort can stay in the castle while simultaneously enjoying the beautiful outdoor activities and scenery Mohonk Mountain House has to offer. Relax at the spa or play a round of golf, then venture into the 40,000 acres of forest that surrounds the resort and take advantage of the hiking trails. Just one glimpse of this magical location will be enough to make you book a reservation immediately.

5.) Letchworth State Park – Castile, NY

While all five locations on this list are absolutely beautiful and would make an excellent vacation destination, Letchworth State Park is on another level- it must be, to earn its nickname of the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Everything about the park, from its three massive waterfalls, to its hiking trails that span more than sixty miles, and its awe-inspiring hot air balloon tours, is a must-see and must-do. The park also has white water rafting, biking, and guided walking tours, and in the winter, offers snowmobiling and skiing. There isn’t a bad view at Letchworth State Park, especially at the scenic Genesee Arch Bridge.

Upstate New York often gets overlooked because of bustling New York City. But these five destinations prove that there’s so much more to this beautiful state.