[title]
Our nation’s parks—whether formed on the state or national level—are a source of joy, calm and connectedness to nature. While national parks tend to get all of the attention, state parks are absolutely worth a visit too. In New York, there are some gorgeous parks to choose from, especially now that fall foliage is hitting its late stages and the air is crisping up. Here are our favorite five (out of 180) most underrated state parks!
First is Niagara Falls State Park. Yes, it may be crowded, but it’s an iconic American tradition to see the enormous spray from this gorgeous set of waterfalls. Back in 2022, a 1905 tunnel was reopened to let visitors experience the falls from a new, ground-level platform, giving more drama than seeing the falls from above. And now, a “Crow’s Nest” is underway, a set of stairs that let you walk halfway up the American side of the falls before returning back down into the gorge, relieving congestion and giving a new vantage point for visitors. It’s scheduled to open in 2026.
In second place is Whetstone Gulf State Park in Lowville, in the Thousand Islands region. It’s built along a three-mile-long gorge and has impressive vistas, 56 beautifully wooded campsites, a swimming hole and, best of all, a hiking (and in winter, cross-country ski) trail that circles the gorge. A reservoir is stocked with fish for fishers, and non-fishers can canoe or kayak across it. According to Only in New York, “Camping here in the fall is a bit of a best-kept secret. The campground isn’t big, and the tall hardwoods around the sites make it feel more secluded than the other crowded parks.”
Third place? That goes to Sunken Meadow State Park on the North Shore of Long Island in Kings Park. Picnickers can enjoy a gorgeous view of the Long Island Sound with three bridges spanning the creek. On the grassy lawns, people play Frisbee and croquet, while swimming is safe in the protected waters of the Sound. If you’re a hiker, this spot is the terminus of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail with 200 miles of paths. Finally, we love that there’s a 27-hole golf course here.
In fourth place is Sojourner Truth State Park in Kingston in the Palisades region. Named for the Black abolitionist and suffragist Sojourner Truth (she also recruited soldiers for the Union Army in the Civil War), the park offers incredible views of the Hudson River. If you’re interested in archaeology and history, you can poke around historic industrial ruins and what remains from the days of brick-making and quarrying stone. Finally, thick woods and steep cliffs make for a dramatic landscape. Walk or ride along the paved Hudson River Brickyard Trail, the Empire State Trail or a number of other trails.
Our fifth place choice is Rock Island Lighthouse State Park in Fisher’s Landing in the Thousand Islands. We adore a lighthouse, and this is a very charming one: a white and black structure set on an island with a bright red lightkeeper’s house and. It’s only accessible only by water, but to us, that just adds to the appeal! Jump into a kayak or ride with Clayton Island Boat Tours and head towards this lighthouse. You can climb the stairs to the top and look out over the St. Lawrence Seaway from the lantern room. There’s also a small museum in the lightkeeper’s cottage—though just a heads up that the buildings are only open in the summer. For extra mileage on your vacation, join the 2025 Thousand Islands Region Geocache Challenge with 45 hidden geocaches. If you find them all and stamp your passport at each one, you’ll receive a limited edition collectible geocoin.