Water Adventures with Kids in New York

Beacon, NY

Beacon Sloop Club

Free evening sails on the Hudson aboard Pete Seeger's volunteer-crewed sloop Woody Guthrie. No charge, ever. Reserve by phone.

Sailing
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Castile, NY

Letchworth State Park

Grand Canyon of the East with three major waterfalls and a 600-foot gorge. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Fayetteville, NY

Green Lakes State Park

Swim in Caribbean-blue glacial lakes at Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse NY - sandy lifeguarded beach, flat lakeside trails, $10 per car

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Haines Falls, NY

Kaaterskill Falls Trail

The tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Ithaca, NY

Robert H. Treman State Park

Gorge trails, multiple waterfalls, and a stunning natural swimming hole near Ithaca. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Keeseville, NY

Ausable Chasm

Walk through a 500-million-year-old sandstone gorge with optional rafting. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Nature
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Kerhonkson, NY

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sky lakes, cliff-top trails, and swimming on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~4h
Paid

Lake George, NY

Million Dollar Beach

Sandy public beach on crystal-clear Lake George with lifeguards and mountain views. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac Lake Islands Camping

Paddle-in island camping on the Saranac Lakes with 87 primitive sites. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 5+
Overnight
Paid

Sundown, NY

Peekamoose Blue Hole

Stunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Trumansburg, NY

Taughannock Falls State Park

Easy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~2h
Paid

Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen State Park

Walk behind 19 waterfalls through a stunning 200-foot-deep gorge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Easy going.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Paid

Alexandria Bay, NY

Grass Point State Park

River campground near Alexandria Bay with beach and easy Thousand Islands access. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Bluff Point, NY

Keuka Lake State Park

Sandy beach and campground on one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Bluff Point, NY

Keuka Lake State Park Camping

Open lakeside and shaded wooded campsites with a swim beach and boat launch on Keuka, the quietest of the big Finger Lakes

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Boonville, NY

Pixley Falls State Park

Quick roadside walk to a beautiful 50-foot waterfall near Boonville. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Buffalo, NY

Sail Buffalo Sailing School

A nonprofit sailing school on Buffalo's Outer Harbor running week-long Lake Erie camps for kids, sorted by ability. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~7h
Paid

Cape Vincent, NY

Burnham Point State Park

Quiet waterfront campground where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Cazenovia, NY

Chittenango Falls State Park

Dramatic 167-foot single-plunge waterfall with easy overlook access. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Cherry Plain, NY

Cherry Plain State Park

Quiet swimming beach and intimate campground on Black River Pond. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Clayton, NY

Antique Boat Museum Sailing Programs

Sunfish and Optimist sailing on the St. Lawrence from a nonprofit museum, plus a free community sail every Tuesday night.

Sailing
Ages 4+
~3h
Paid

Clayton, NY

Cedar Point State Park

Waterfront camping on the St. Lawrence River with Thousand Islands views. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Cragsmoor, NY

Sam's Point Preserve

Ice caves, dwarf pine barrens, and cliff-top views on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Paid

Cranberry Lake, NY

Cranberry Lake Campground

Remote lakefront campground on one of the largest and wildest Adirondack lakes. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 3+
Overnight
Paid

Dansville, NY

Stony Brook State Park

Gorge swimming, three waterfalls, and rock formations in a quiet setting. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Eagle Bay, NY

Cascade Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a scenic Adirondack lake with lean-tos and swimming spots. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Eagle Bay, NY

Moss Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake perfect for young hikers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Free

Fineview, NY

Wellesley Island State Park

Island park in the Thousand Islands with nature center, beach, and 430-site campground. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

Nature
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Fort Ann, NY

Shelving Rock Falls Trail

Short family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Gansevoort, NY

Moreau Lake State Park

Sandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Geneva, NY

Seneca Lake State Park

Lakefront park with splash pad, playground, and marina on Seneca Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~3h
Paid

Geneva, NY

Seneca Sailing Academy

A nonprofit school on Seneca Lake with Opti weeks for little kids and free public First Sail days off Geneva. Ages 7 and up.

Sailing
Ages 7+
~7h
Paid

Gowanda, NY

Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area

Wild 600-foot gorge with old-growth forest and deep swimming holes. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~4h
Free

Grafton, NY

Grafton Lakes State Park

Lifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy NY - day use $10 per vehicle in season

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Haines Falls, NY

North-South Lake Campground

Premier Catskills campground with twin lakes and a swimming beach - campsites from about $22/night via ReserveAmerica, day use $10 per vehicle

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Indian Lake, NY

Indian Lake Islands Campground

Paddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 5+
Overnight
Paid

Indian Lake, NY

Lewey Lake Campground

Beach and boat launch between two lakes beneath Snowy Mountain, with wilderness trailheads and essentially no cell service

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Inlet, NY

Eighth Lake Campground

Lakefront campground with beach and calm water on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Inlet, NY

Limekiln Lake Campground

Large pine-shaded campground on a clear lake near Inlet, with a sandy beach, boat launch and the Moose River Plains at the gate

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Ithaca, NY

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Natural swimming pool at the base of a cascading waterfall near Ithaca. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Ithaca, NY

Merrill Family Sailing Center

Cornell's public sailing center on Cayuga Lake, running youth camps, classes and family fleet access. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~7h
Paid

Keene Valley, NY

Beaver Meadow Falls Trail

Scenic river trail to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in the High Peaks. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Keene Valley, NY

Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail

Epic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~7h
Free

Kerhonkson, NY

Vernooy Kill Falls Trail

Easy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Lake George, NY

Hearthstone Point Campground

Waterfront state campground on Lake George close to the village. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Lake George, NY

Lake George Islands Camping

Boat-access island camping on pristine Lake George. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight. Dogs welcome.

Camping
Ages 5+
Overnight
Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Heart Lake

Sandy mountain lake beach with High Peaks backdrop and canoe rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Lake Placid Public Beach

Free sandy village beach on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid NY with summer lifeguards, a roped toddler-friendly swim area, and Adirondack views

Swimming
Ages 1+
~3h
Free

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Boat Rental

Rent a small sailboat by the hour on motor-free Mirror Lake, right on Main Street. Paid, walk-up, no reservation needed.

Sailing
Ages 5+
~1h
Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Paddle

Paddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

Kayaking
Ages 4+
~2h
Paid

Livingston Manor, NY

Frick Pond Loop Trail

Peaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~3h
Free

Livingston Manor, NY

Mongaup Pond Campground

Sandy beach and motor-free paddling on the largest Catskill pond, with wilderness trails from camp and under three hours from NYC

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Long Lake, NY

Buttermilk Falls

One of the tallest Adirondack waterfalls with easy staircase access. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Long Lake, NY

Forked Lake Campground

Mostly paddle-in shoreline campsites on a quiet Adirondack lake, a real step up from car camping for families who can paddle gear in

Camping
Ages 6+
Overnight
Paid

Massena, NY

Robert Moses State Park (Massena)

River beach, nature center, and ship-watching on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Moravia, NY

Fillmore Glen State Park

Quiet gorge with five waterfalls, a walk-behind cascade, and swimming pool. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Mount Tremper, NY

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground

Lakeside Catskills campground with sandy beach and boat rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Naples, NY

Grimes Glen Park

Wade up a fossil-filled creek to reach two hidden waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Newcomb, NY

Camp Santanoni Historic Area

Carriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~5h
Free

Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Gorge Trail

Hike the bottom of Niagara Gorge with boulder scrambles and whirlpool rapids. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~3h
Free

Pulaski, NY

Selkirk Shores State Park

Bluff-top campground on Lake Ontario with beach and Salmon River access. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Raquette Lake, NY

Golden Beach Campground

Long sandy swimming beach with a gradual toddler-friendly entry on Raquette Lake, backed by pine-shaded campsites and a boat launch

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Raquette Lake, NY

Raquette Lake Beach

Quiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~3h
Free

Rochester, NY

ROC City Sailing

A nonprofit on Irondequoit Bay where a whole family can go out on a Flying Scot with an instructor. Paid. Ages 8 and up.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~3h
Paid

Rome, NY

Delta Lake State Park

900-foot sandy swimming beach on Delta Lake in central New York. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Romulus, NY

Sampson State Park

Big family park on Seneca Lake with beach, campground, marina, and playground. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

Fish Creek Pond Campground

Massive waterfront campground with beach and access to a chain of Adirondack ponds. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

Camping
Ages 2+
Overnight
Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

Floodwood Pond

Motor-free interconnected ponds perfect for family kayaking and canoe adventures. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

Kayaking
Ages 4+
~4h
Free

Saranac Lake, NY

Rollins Pond Campground

Motor-free Adirondack pond camping next door to Fish Creek, with glassy water, loons at dawn and shoreline sites for paddlers

Camping
Ages 3+
Overnight
Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

SAIL Adirondacks

Learn-to-sail sessions and crewed cruises on an O'Day 23 out of Saranac Lake Marina, four passengers max. Published minimum age 6.

Sailing
Ages 6+
~2h
Paid

Saratoga Springs, NY

Saratoga Spa State Park

Natural mineral springs, historic pools, and forest trails in Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Schroon Lake, NY

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Pristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 7+
~6h
Free

Verona Beach, NY

Verona Beach State Park

1,000-foot sandy beach on Oneida Lake with campground and nature trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Voorheesville, NY

Thacher State Park

Cliff-top escarpment park with a walk-behind waterfall and 40-mile views. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Watkins Glen, NY

Schooner True Love

Two hours under sail on Seneca Lake aboard a 1926 wooden schooner, up to four departures a day. Paid. Good from about age 5.

Sailing
Ages 5+
~2h
Paid

Wilmington, NY

High Falls Gorge

Walkway-accessible waterfalls through an ancient Ausable River gorge. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Paid

Wilmington, NY

Wilmington Notch Campground

Riverside state campground in the notch between Lake Placid and Wilmington, minutes from High Falls Gorge and Whiteface Mountain

Camping
Ages 3+
Overnight
Paid