Finger-Lakes

A beautiful park with a swimming area at the base of Buttermilk Falls, a cascading waterfall that drops over 500 feet through a series of pools and rapids. The swimming pool at the base is natural, fed by the falls, and staffed with lifeguards in summer. The Gorge Trail climbs alongside the falls with views at every turn. Kids love the combination of swimming and waterfall exploration. The park also has a playground, picnic shelters, and a separate trail along Larch Meadows. It is less crowded than Taughannock and Treman.

A hidden gem with a deep gorge, five waterfalls, and a swimming area that gets far fewer visitors than the parks near Ithaca. The Gorge Trail runs 1.5 miles along the creek through narrow rock walls with waterfalls at several points. The Cowshed, a waterfall that flows over a rock overhang you can walk behind, is a highlight for kids. The swimming pool at the base of the glen is fed by the creek and staffed with lifeguards in summer. A replica of President Millard Fillmore birthplace cabin adds a historical touch.

The only national forest in New York State, spread across 16000 acres of rolling terrain between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Over 30 miles of interconnected trails wind through meadows, pastures, and forest. The Interloken Trail is the signature route but shorter loops are available for families. Kids will see grazing cattle in the open pastures, which is unusual for a national forest. Blueberry picking in season is a fun bonus activity. Primitive camping is free and dispersed throughout the forest.

A unique creek-walk hike where you wade right up the streambed to reach two beautiful waterfalls hidden in a narrow gorge. There is no dry trail option so everyone gets wet feet, which kids absolutely love. The first waterfall is about a half mile in and the second is just beyond it. The creek is shallow and the rock walls on either side are layered with fossils. This is hands-down one of the most fun and memorable family hikes in the Finger Lakes. Water shoes are essential.

A hilltop recreation area with easy trails and one of the best views in the Finger Lakes region, looking out over Honeoye Lake and the surrounding hills. The trails are wide and gentle, mostly following old roads through meadows and forest. The Big Oak Trail and Fox Run Trail are both under 2 miles and great for young hikers. In winter the trails are popular for cross-country skiing. The overlook point on a clear fall day with the lake below and autumn colors everywhere is truly special.

A family-friendly state park on the shore of Keuka Lake, one of the cleanest and most beautiful Finger Lakes. The park has a sandy beach with a gradual entry perfect for young swimmers and a campground with sites nestled in the woods. The lake water is clean and warm by midsummer. Fishing is excellent from the shore and the park has a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. Hiking trails through the surrounding hills provide lake views. It is quieter and more relaxed than the bigger Finger Lakes parks.

Known as the Grand Canyon of the East with a 17-mile gorge up to 600 feet deep carved by the Genesee River with three major waterfalls. The park has 66 miles of trails but the must-do walks are the short paths to the Middle Falls and Upper Falls overlooks which are accessible even for toddlers. The 107-foot Middle Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. Hot air balloon rides over the gorge are available in summer and fall. The park also has a pool, cabins, campgrounds, and an inn.

A gorgeous state park with a gorge trail, multiple waterfalls, and one of the best natural swimming holes in the Finger Lakes. The swimming area below Enfield Falls has a lifeguard-staffed pool formed by the creek, surrounded by rock walls and forest. Lucifer Falls upstream is a dramatic 115-foot cascade visible from a stone stairway bridge. The park offers 4 miles of trails through the gorge with over a dozen waterfalls. Kids love the combination of hiking and swimming and the old stone structures throughout the park add character.

A large state park on the east shore of Seneca Lake with a spacious beach, 309-site campground, marina, playground, and recreation hall. The swimming beach is one of the best on any Finger Lake with a wide sandy shore and gradual entry. The campground has both tent and full-hookup RV sites. A naval station museum on the grounds tells the history of the WWII training base that once occupied the site. Bike paths connect the park areas and the marina rents boats. This is a full-service family vacation park.

A popular park on the north end of Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes, with a large splash pad, playground, marina, and lakefront walking paths. The splash pad is free with park admission and keeps younger kids entertained for hours. The marina offers boat rentals and the lakefront is great for fishing. Picnic pavilions and a concession stand make it easy to spend a full day. The park hosts family events throughout the summer. It is right next to downtown Geneva for ice cream and shopping.

A beautiful gorge park with a natural swimming area, three waterfalls, and rugged gorge trails. The swimming area in the creek-fed pool at the base of the gorge is a summertime favorite for families. The Gorge Trail climbs past sculpted rock formations and the three waterfalls are each uniquely beautiful. The park is smaller and less crowded than the Ithaca gorge parks making it feel more intimate. Picnic areas with grills and a playground round out the family amenities.

Home to a 215-foot waterfall that is taller than Niagara Falls, plunging into a natural amphitheater of rock walls. The Gorge Trail is a flat, easy 1.5-mile round trip walk along the creek bed to the base of the falls. Even toddlers in carriers can make this walk. The scale of the falls and the surrounding cliffs is genuinely awe-inspiring. A rim trail on top offers a different perspective looking down into the gorge. The park also has a swimming beach, playground, and picnic area on Cayuga Lake.

One of the most spectacular state parks in the entire country with a gorge trail that passes behind and under 19 waterfalls in just 2 miles. The stone pathway winds through 200-foot-deep gorge walls with water cascading all around you. Kids are wide-eyed the entire time. The trail is paved with stone steps and has railings making it accessible for careful young walkers. The centerpiece Rainbow Falls is unforgettable. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and have the gorge to yourselves.