The Largest State Park In New York With Picturesque Forested Hills And Valleys, Scenic Hikes And An Endless Amount Of Outdoor Activities
At 55,000 acres and 100 square miles, Allegany State Park is the largest state park in the New York system and the third largest state in the country. With picturesque forested hills and valleys, scenic hikes and an endless amount of outdoor activities, Allegany State Park is the perfect destination for adventurous families and travelers.
One thing that makes Allegany State Park unique is that it's divided into two areas, known as Red House and Quaker. With two main camping areas that include accompanying lakes, amenities and facilities, it was a natural division, explained Park Manager Thomas Livak. Despite the division, both sections of the park offer exciting trails, nature programs and fishing opportunities.
While Livak has only been with the park for three years, he's not new to Allegany State Park. Most people in New York aren't.
“I actually learned to ski here, back when they offered both downhill and cross-country skiing,” he recalled. “We still offer a wonderful cross country skiing experience here on scenic groomed trials for all skill levels.”
According to the park's environmental educator Adele Wellman, the winter activities are a huge hit despite New England's unpredictable weather and dramatic snowstorms.
“Two years ago we started guided snowshoe hikes at the Summit area. Over 80 people participate each January and February in spite of the weather or lack of snow,” she said. “Snowmobiling has also been popular here for decades. With 90 miles of trail, riders can travel from Pennsylvania to Salamanca and beyond on the snowmobile routes.”
While Allegany's winter activities are nothing to scoff at, the park truly shines in the spring and summer when the snow has melted and the park's true beauty is revealed. And there's no better way to explore all of the different areas of the park than on the trails.
In Red House there are over 200 miles of trail, including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There are five main trails, including Osgood – a short hike that explores various tree communities – to Beehunter, a longer trail that meanders along the ridge, through hemlock groves and across creeks.
One visitor said her favorite walk in all of Allegany is simply walking around the full lake: “It's truly magnificent. I love the lily pads and the sparkling water. We always see a wide variety of wildlife on our walk.”
“I love our biking trails,” gushed Wellman. “The bike trails around the lakes are scenic and paved. It's a great place to go with children. The mountain bike trails at the Art Roscoe ski area are a great place to try mountain biking and are home of the Raccoon Rally, a large mountain bike race held here in June. The newest single track trail, Old Thunder Run, is both challenging and fun.”
Quaker has some unique trail experiences of its own. There's a two mile trail that leads to the Bear Caves. There are also tours of the caves offered every week during the summer months. Naturalist staff members guide hikers to each cave and give a brief description of the geology and how the caves were formed.
Another popular activity at Allegany is the fishing. Quaker Lake is home to trout, yellow perch, largemouth bass, blue gill and pumpkin seed. While ice fishing is done on the lakes during the winter months, summer is the main time to visit. There's someone out on the lake almost every day, said Wellman. Guests can rent kayaks, canoes and other types of boats.
“I grew up near the park,” said one recent review of Allegany State Park on Yelp. “I've been visiting it since I was a little kid. Now, I live a bit further away [Buffalo, NY] so my visits are less frequent, but it's still a treat to meander these wild spaces and use the well-maintained facilities in the picnic and cabin areas.
“My most recent visit was for a family reunion at the Red House Lake Area,” the woman continued. “We had a giant pavilion that was perfect for our 75 or so attendees. The pavilion was right next to a creek, so all the kids had a great time wading and catching crayfish. The adults enjoyed cooking and chatting in the shade. Just a short walk away was a nice stone building with clean restroom facilities. Perfect.”
While many people go to Allegany State Park to relax with family or go out fishing alone, there's no shortage of group activities available for travelers looking to learn more about the area and about nature in general.
Starting June 24 there will be daily programs hosted by the park's Environmental Education and Recreation Department, focusing on the new wetlands, birds, insects, edible plants, trees, wild flowers and various animals that exist within the park.
They'll also be offering kayaking lessons, mountain bike rides, soccer golf, geo caching and camping for children and families. On the third Saturday of every month until October there will be hikes in different areas of the park, exploring new areas or seeing old favorites from a new perspective. On the first Wednesday of every month there will be the chance to try a new recreational activity, like fly fishing, paddle boarding, backpacking, photography and much more.
It seems like some parks have great trails. Others have a nice lake. Maybe some parks have the perfect spots for camping. Allegany State Park is one of those rare parks that has it all and more.
“Allegany is perfect for a daytime visit or spending multiple overnights,” said one Yelp reviewer. “I've stayed in Allegany for a week straight – many times – and never ran out of things to do. Whether we are hiking, playing outdoor games at our cabin or spending hours at the campfire, we always experience a wonderful time together.” Luckily, Allegany State Park is aware of its own massive array of activities and destinations. The two campgrounds and 20 cabin trails offer a total of 189 campsites and 230 cabins, 30 of which are winterized and one group camp for rental. The Quaker Area also has vacation rental cottages.
“There is camping for everyone here,” said Wellman. “If you like to rough it, there is tent camping. Or hike to a lean-to on the North Country trail. If you're interested more in luxury book one of the full service cabins on either side of the park. All you need to bring is food and clothes. Everything else is supplied for you.”
“I honestly don't know how to put my love for Allegany State Park into words,” wrote another reviewer. “It is truly one of my favorite places in the world.”
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
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Allegany State Park, known for its two lakes and wonderful camping experiences. It offers a sandy beach for swimming, two fishing piers and a canoeing or kayaking access point.