The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in New York, United States

August 15, 2021 Nicolette Lion

New York State has it all – booming metropolises, majestic waterfalls, mountains, wine country, chicken wings. Yes, NYC is a magnet for tourists, but an exploration of the rest of the state can be equally thrilling. The Finger Lakes Wine Region is a vision of serene waters, quaint B&Bs, and pretty vineyards. Movie buffs will love Rochester, home of the George Eastman House and one of the world’s most comprehensive film archives. On your way to Niagara Falls, stop in Buffalo to fuel up on spicy wings.
Restaurants in New York

1. Rye Nature Center

873 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580-2829 +1 914-967-5150 http://www.ryenaturecenter.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Rye Nature Center

2. Lake Lila Primitive Area

Long Lake, NY
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Lake Lila Primitive Area

A nature preserve with hiking trails located in the heart of the Adirondacks.

3. Sailors Haven

Fire Island, NY 11782 https://www.nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/sailorshaven.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Sailors Haven

4. Adirondack Mountains

NY [email protected] http://www.adk.org/
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 55 reviews

Adirondack Mountains

Reviewed By IrishMike4444 - Lexington, United States

At 6 millions acres, there is no larger park except Denali in Alaska; it just doesn't have the verticality (largest peak is only around 5,000 ft.). The vast expanse of lakes and trails is perfect to be enveloped in beauty. Definitely book early and avoid black fly season in early summer. From tents, to camper, to motel, to beautiful lodge, all options are on the table for you.

5. Sam's Point Preserve

2.8 miles off State Route 52, Cragsmoor, NY 12420 +1 845-647-7989 http://www.nysparks.com/parks/193/details.aspx
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 120 reviews

Sam's Point Preserve

Reviewed By SueCatherine

We went here the last weekend in October. The weather was supposed to be meh but it turned out quite nice and Sam's Point was pretty crowded. The park opens at 9, but you need to get here not much later than 9:45 a.m. or you will not get a parking space ($10), and they don't allow shoulder parking on the access road. Trailhead has three toilets and there is always a line. There is a water bottle fill station and a visitor's center that offers a pretty useless map. It's okay because the trails are well marked. The morning started out cold but warmed up. Dress in layers and bring a hat and sunglasses because the trail to Verkeerder Kill Falls is along an exposed ridgeline and you'll get lots of sun along with great views of the valley. We did Sam's Point and the Verkeerder Kill Falls trail (in and out-did not do Ice Caves or High Point). It took us about 4 hours round trip, including a rest and a snack at the falls. We are kind of slow. This is a carry-in-carry-out park. There are no restroom facilities once you get on the trails. The park closes at 6. The Verkeerder Kill Falls trail has nice variety; there are some very rocky sections but you also walk through an oak grove and the view at the falls themselves is wonderful. I brought poles and found them helpful. Hiking boots (not sneakers) are a must because of the rocks. In late Oct. we had no problem with bugs. It's about 600 ft. elevation variatons to the falls and back up again. The walk up to Sam's Point itself is a paved access road and it's kind of boring. The fun starts when you get on the Verkeerder Kill Falls trail.

6. Animal Adventure Park

85 Martin Hill Rd, Harpursville, NY 13787-1624 +1 607-760-4429 [email protected] http://theanimaladventurepark.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 433 reviews

Animal Adventure Park

Interactive, educational animal park that encourages the up close and hands on approach to animal exhibition! Home to over 300 animals, representing 100 species! Nestled in the hills of Harpusville NY, minutes of I-88, outside of Binghamton NY.

Reviewed By Tima8723

Love the fact I get to feed the animal like the zebra the goat is the zebra love seeing April and her 2 sons & the white lions the staff was so friendly I would definitely come back to visit love the gift shop this place is good for kids and adults a nice clean place even love the baby monkey

7. Mashomack Preserve

79 S. Ferry Rd., Shelter Island, NY +1 516-749-1001 http://www.shelter-island.org/mashomack.html
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Mashomack Preserve

This Nature Conservancy property spans 2,100 acres, and accounts for one-third of the land on Shelter Island.

Reviewed By debrak2

This is a great place for a hike, especially with the family. I went with my 2 daughters in their 20s and we chose the red trail (1.4 miles). The trail was easy (I have arthritis of the knees, so it was just fine) and it was clearly marked with benches along the way. Kids will really like the fact that you get to read one page of a children's picture book every few yards, so that once you finish the hike you finish the story. There is also a gazebo along the way with water views. A lovely experience ... highly recommend it!

8. Mohonk Preserve

3197 State Route 55, New Paltz, New York, New Paltz, NY 12561 +1 845-255-0919 http://www.mohonkpreserve.org
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 422 reviews

Mohonk Preserve

Mohonk Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in New York. The Preserve protects 8,000 acres of the Shawangunk Ridge and inspires people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. Preserve lands are open sunrise to sunset every day for hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, horseback riding, and nature study. A current membership or day pass is required to access the lands. Admission to the Visitor Center is always free.

Reviewed By UrbanMonkey48 - Langhorne, United States

Aside from the Mohonk Mountain House hotel itself, you can visit as a day guest, pay a fee and enjoy miles of hiking or cross country skiing on beautidul trails that go through the woods and/or cliffs. The scenic biews are spectacular.

9. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

3395 Route 5/20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148 +1 315-568-5987 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/montezuma/
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 232 reviews

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1938 in the scenic Finger Lakes region of New York, the refuge contains 7,068 acres for the resting, feeding and nesting habitat of waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Reviewed By traveltheworld012 - Rochester, United States

I was very happy to see this large expanse preserved for wildlife. The day we visited it was very hot, in the mid-90s. No one else around when we arrived, but a couple cars drove in while we were there. We walked a trail to the lookout tower and the viewing platform. Not a lot of wildlife to see from there on this day. however, we then drove the gravel road loop and saw an eagle, ducks and geese. The loop is a very quiet drive until you reach the north end which is abuts the busy freeway. Well worth a visit. The visitor center was closed due to the pandemic so we did not get to see what may have been offered there.

10. Prospect Mountain

Lake George, NY http://www.lakegeorgeguide.com/regional-area-info/have-you-seen/prospect-mountain
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,209 reviews

Prospect Mountain

A 2,030-foot mountain in Lake George that offers trips to the summit in "viewmobile" vans for awesome views.

Reviewed By DouglasB2068 - Stone Ridge, United States

It doesn't get a lot of attention but people should definitely take a drive up Prospect Mountain auto road at least one. There are several scenic overlooks to pull over at and take pictures. Once you get to the top parking lot there are bathrooms as well. From the top parking lot you can either hike a pretty steep trail up to the summit or wait for the shuttle bus that constantly runs back and forth between the parking lot and the summit. We took the bus up and then walked the trail back down. Great views up at the summit plus the remains of a cable car system that used to run from the top of the mountain down to Lake George Village. Definitely recommended.

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