New York isn’t just skyscrapers and busy streets—this state is packed with some of the most incredible parks you’ll ever see.
We’re talking giant waterfalls, beaches you won’t want to leave, hiking trails with stunning views, and places that look straight out of a movie.
Some parks are perfect for a summer swim, others will take you to the top of mountains, and some are all about breathtaking fall colors.
No matter what kind of adventure you’re into, there’s a park on this list that’s going to make you want to grab your sneakers, pack a snack, and head out.
1. Taconic State Park
Taconic State Park is located on the edge of New York’s border with Massachusetts and Connecticut, giving you easy access to beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain views.
One of the highlights is Bash Bish Falls, the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts, which you can reach from the New York side by hiking a wide, gently climbing trail alongside Bash Bish Brook.
The park also has great spots for camping, swimming in the cool waters of Ore Pit Pond, and even renting a cabin if you want a cozy overnight stay surrounded by nature.
2. Allegany State Park
If you’re looking for an escape into nature, then Allegany State Park is the perfect place for you.
It’s the largest state park in New York, packed with forests, lakes, and miles of trails.
It’s split into two main areas—Red House and Quaker—where you can do everything from kayaking on Red House Lake to exploring hidden rock cities like Thunder Rocks, a massive collection of giant boulders perfect for climbing and squeezing through.
Wildlife is everywhere here (keep an eye out for deer and maybe even a black bear), and if you want to stay overnight, the park has cabins, campsites, and even full-on vacation cottages.
3. Bear Mountain State Park
Next up is Bear Mountain State Park, a great spot for hiking, with rocky trails that lead to jaw-dropping views of the Hudson River and even the Manhattan skyline on a clear day.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can stroll around Hessian Lake, visit the Trailside Museums & Zoo (where rescued animals like bears and bald eagles live), or in the winter, go ice skating at the outdoor rink.
The park is also home to a section of the Appalachian Trail, so if you’ve ever wanted to walk part of that famous route, this is your chance.
4. Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park is all about one thing: an absolutely massive waterfall that drops 215 feet—making it taller than Niagara Falls!
You can take the easy, flat Gorge Trail to stand right at the base of the falls or hike up to the overlook for a breathtaking view from above.
The park is located right on Cayuga Lake, so after checking out the falls, you can go for a swim, rent a kayak, or just relax by the water with an ice cream.
5. Letchworth State Park
This park is nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and once you see its massive cliffs and roaring waterfalls, you’ll understand why.
The park follows the Genesee River as it cuts through a deep gorge, creating three main waterfalls, Upper, Middle and Lower falls.
If you want to see the tallest of the three then head to Middle Falls which is a 107 feet waterfall.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go whitewater rafting, take a hot air balloon ride over the canyon, or stick to hiking one of the 60 miles of trails that wind through the park.
6. Robert H. Treman State Park
Next up is Robert H. Treman State Park, the perfect place if you like waterfalls, with 12 cascades hidden along its rugged, forested trails.
The most famous is Lucifer Falls, a 115-foot stunner that you can see from a steep but gorgeous hike along the Rim and Gorge Trails.
Along the trails you’ll also pass stone staircases and rocky cliffs.
If you need to cool off after all that climbing, the park has a natural swimming area beneath a smaller waterfall, complete with a diving board for the ultimate summer refresh.
7. Green Lakes State Park
You should definitely add Green Lakes State Park to your list too, famous for its two strikingly clear lakes.
The lakes here are known for their vivid blue-green colors that look like something out of the Caribbean—except you’re in upstate New York.
These lakes are meromictic, meaning their layers of water don’t mix, the colors stay stunning all year.
You can hike the scenic trail that loops around Green Lake, rent a kayak to glide across the water (seasonal rentals from Memorial Day to Labor Day), or just relax on the sandy beach and soak up the views.
8. Robert Moses State Park
Moving along, our next stop is Robert Moses State Park, which is all about sandy beaches and ocean waves, stretching for five miles along the western end of Fire Island.
You can swim, surf, or just lounge on the soft sand, and if you walk down to Field 5, you can take a short boardwalk to the Fire Island Lighthouse for an epic panoramic view.
The park is also a prime spot for spotting wildlife—white-tailed deer roam the dunes, osprey nest in the marshes, and if you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins occasionally spotted off the coast.
9. Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park features a winding gorge, towering cliffs, and 19 waterfalls all packed into less than two miles.
The Gorge Trail is the star of the show, taking you over stone bridges, behind waterfalls, and through cool, misty tunnels carved right into the rock.
It’s one of the most popular parks in the Finger Lakes, and for good reason—where else can you walk behind a waterfall, feel the spray on your face, and then enjoy a meal in a nearby lakeside town just minutes away?
10. Chimney Bluffs State Park
On to the next park, Chimney Bluffs State Park looks surreal, with towering, jagged rock formations rising straight up from the shore of Lake Ontario.
These cliffs were shaped by glaciers and years of wind and water erosion, creating sharp peaks and steep cliffs that make for one of the most unique views in New York.
You can hike along the Bluff Trail for a closer look at the formations or head down to the rocky beach to see them from below while listening to the waves on the shore.
11. John Boyd Thacher State Park
John Boyd Thacher State Park, known for its epic cliffside views, is another state park that you cannot miss.
Here you’ll find the Helderberg Escarpment which stretches high above the landscape providing you with one of the best overlooks in upstate New York.
The star hike here is the Indian Ladder Trail, where you can walk right under waterfalls, pass through rocky passageways, and enjoy views from the limestone cliffs overlooking the Hudson Valley.
If you’re into fossils, this place is rich with ancient rocks that contain prehistoric sea creatures from when this whole area was underwater millions of years ago!
12. Jones Beach State Park
Next on the list is Jones Beach State Park, Long Island’s go-to beach spot, with six miles of soft sand, rolling waves, and plenty of space to stretch out under the sun.
It’s not just about swimming—there’s also a boardwalk perfect for walking along and an outdoor concert venue that hosts big-name artists in the summer.
If you visit in the off-season, the beach takes on a whole different vibe, with quieter crowds, crashing waves, and some of the best sunrises you’ll ever see.
13. Adirondack Park
This one isn’t just a park—it’s a whole wilderness the size of Vermont, packed with towering mountains, endless lakes, and some of the best outdoor adventures in the state.
You can hike the High Peaks if you’re up for a challenge, paddle through quiet backcountry waterways, or take a scenic drive to mountain towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.
Unlike most parks, this one is a mix of public and private land.
You’ll find everything from rugged trails and remote campsites to cozy lodges, historic sites, and a few old-school general stores tucked in the woods.
14. Harriman State Park
You won’t want to miss Harriman State Park, just an hour from New York City, it has over 200 miles of hiking trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, and peaceful woodlands.
It’s a favorite spot for day hikers looking to tackle sections of the Appalachian Trail, but you can also canoe across Lake Sebago, camp out under the stars, or find hidden ruins from old settlements deep in the forest.
During fall, the park bursts with color, making it one of the best leaf-peeping spots in the state—especially if you hike up to one of the rocky summits for a panoramic view.
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