Syracuse is one of the most fun cities in New York, a college town full of life, great food, and community. But it’s also located in a prime area of the state, where the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes Region, a wealth of state forests, and tons of other trails and lakes make for an outdoor paradise. These are some of our favorite parks, trails, and preserves near Syracuse, both for locals and those just stopping through.
Twenty miles east of downtown Syracuse lies Chittenango Falls State Park, a 193-mile park with an astounding, 167-foot waterfall. Explore the gorge via the Gorge Loop Trail or enjoy the waterfall from the bridge just downstream.
If you want to explore a preserve with a wide array of wildlife, Beaver Lake Nature Center is the perfect spot. More than 200 bird species reside in the area, as well as 800 different species of plants. It's also a great place to bring a canoe for a peaceful trip down Chittenango Creek.
If you're up for a more intense adventure, you can bike the Erie Canalway Trail, which passes through Syracuse and is a popular Great American Bike Tours route. To the west, the trails leads to Rochester. To the east, it ends in Albany. Ride through 363 miles of gorgeous landscapes and 200 communities. Or just pick a segment of the trail and start exploring.
Not only is this 182-acre nature preserve full of natural beauty, but it provides several different day camps for children and public programs. The trail is open to hikers all day.
Clark Reservation State Park used to be the site of a waterfall that resulted from melting glacial ice toward the end of the last Ice Age. The resulting lake is now one of the most beautiful landmarks in New York. Enjoy these 377 miles of incredible views and basins from another era.
The largest lake within New York is just northeast of Syracuse and is a great spot for a day on the water. Grab a kayak at Oneida Lake Boat Rentals or enjoy one of the many restaurants around the 79.8-square-mile lake.
The Finger Lakes aren’t included on this list, but they’re another great option; Skaneateles Lake is only a half-hour drive away. If you’re up for a longer trip, Oswego is only 45 minutes away and has a prime location on Lake Ontario.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
