New York’s State Park system is expansive, with 180 parks to explore – and you can find several of them right in our back yard in the Western New York area. From beachfront getaways to an urban oasis, impressive waterfalls to charming farms, here are our picks for the nine most under-appreciated state parks you’ll want to visit near Buffalo.

1. Amherst State Park
State Street, State St, Amherst, MA 01002, USA
Dennise R. - Yelp
If you or your four-legged friends need a place to escape in the Northtowns, Amherst State Park is the place to be. This 80-acre park consists of wide open fields and waterfront trails, and you'll find it located at 390 Mill Street in Amherst.
2. Beaver Island State Park
Beaver Island Kayak Launch, Unnamed Road, Grand Island, NY 14072, USA
Thomas T. - Yelp
Beaver Island State Park is a summertime favorite in the Empire State, boasting beautiful beaches that are generally not crowded. A jack of all trades, this 950-acre park has a half-mile sandy beach for swimming, adjacent 80 slip marina with both seasonal and transient boat slips, fishing access, car-top boat launch, multiple canoe/kayak launches, bike and nature trails, nature center, playgrounds, picnic areas, athletic fields, horseshoe pits, an 18 hole championship disc golf course, and an 18-hole championship golf course!
3. Buffalo Harbor State Park
Buffalo Harbor State Park, 1111 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Sarah K. - Yelp
Go fly a kite (literally) at Buffalo Harbor State Park. This park spans 190 acres on Buffalo's outer harbor, where you can enjoy biking, walking or running along smooth walkways, picnicking, and letting the kids play at the modern playground. We can't get enough of this amazing state park, which you'll find at 1111 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo.
4. Evangola State Park
Evangola State Park Road, Evangola State Park Rd, New York, USA
Taylor H. - Yelp
Evangola State Park is a little slice of tranquil paradise in New York, located at 10191 Old Lake Shore Road in Irving. The park consists of 733 acres, complete with a sandy beach, campground, frisbee golf course, picnic facilities, a nature center, and more. Pack your beach bags - or overnight bags - and head south of the city to take advantage of this local gem!

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5. Golden Hill State Park
Golden Hill State Park, 9691 Lower Lake Rd, Barker, NY 14012, USA
Duane Y/Google Local
Golden Hill State Park is a vision; a perfect lighthouse perched on the cerulean shoreline. Golden Hill State Park was acquired by New York State in 1962, and is most known for the Thirty Mile Lighthouse, a beacon that was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1958 and available for rent to lighthouse-loving New Yorkers.
6. Knox Farm State Park
Knox Farm State Park, 437 Buffalo Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052, USA
Kevin L. - Yelp
Knox Farm boasts 633 acres of rustic charm to enjoy in East Aurora. This state park is one of the most popular spots in Western New York for photo shoots, weddings, and leisurely strolls. Spend an hour or an entire day checking out the grounds at 437 Buffalo Road in East Aurora.
7. Lake Erie State Park
Lake Erie State Park, Lake Erie State Pk, Portland, NY, USA
Heather L. - Yelp
Located along the Lake Erie shoreline, this stunning state park offers spectacular views of the sunset from the high bluffs around the lake. It's amazing!
8. Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park, New York, USA
Steve E. - Yelp
Letchworth is one of the better-known state parks in our area, but we still don't think it gets quite enough credit! 14,427 acres of land to explore is certainly worth the trip. You'll find the "Grand Canyon of the East" in the majestic Genesee River Gorge, and it truly is Upstate New York's most glorious wonder.
9. Woodlawn Beach State Park
Solé at Woodlawn Beach, 3580 Lake Shore Rd, Blasdell, NY 14219, USA
Chantal L. - Yelp
Woodlawn Beach State Park stretches for 107 acres along the shores of Lake Erie. A perennial summertime favorite, this state park is one of the best spots to unwind in the sunshine near Buffalo!

There are so many amazing New York State Parks to visit near Buffalo. Where is your favorite spot to unwind around the city? Share your picks (and pics!) with us below!

There are so many amazing state parks near Buffalo that fly blissfully under the radar, including Amherst State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, and Golden Hill State Park!

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More to Explore

state parks to visit near Buffalo

Sarah M. | February 17, 2022

What's the best state park to visit near Buffalo?

Our favorite state park in New York is, happily, close to Buffalo: the magical Letchworth State Park. It's listed in the roundup above, but allow us to sing its praises for a moment. This New York State Park has some of the most sublime scenery in the country. Here, the Genesee River roars through the majestic gorge, over picture-perfect tiered waterfalls, between stately cliffs, and along the lush Upstate wilderness. Lauded as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is absolutely magnificent – a stunning wonder that must be experienced. So what are you waiting for?

How many New York state parks are there?

There's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to state parks in New York. From the shores of Long Island and expanse of Upstate, New York's 180 state parks offer near-endless opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and revel in Mother Nature -- no matter what part of the Empire State you hail from.

What's the most popular state park in New York?

You've heard of a little thing called Niagara Falls, right? Niagara Falls State Park truly is the crown jewel of the New York State Parks, and it's truly extraordinary in every way. Niagara Falls is not only one of the best-known state parks in New York, but also in the world. The first state park designated in the United States, this natural attraction attracts some 30 million visitors each year and is a true American icon. Draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the falls -- technically a set of three cascades -- are one of the most powerful on the continent, with six million cubic feet of water flowing every minute. It's a magnificent spectacle to see in person and a humbling reminder of Mother Nature's prowess.

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