There’s nothing quite like a New York summer! It’s peak season at New York State Parks and Historic Sites. Camping is in full swing, whether it’s in one of our cabins, or in tents or RVs. The swimming season is underway at our beaches and pools. And if you’re looking to make the most of the season, we’ve got you covered. Our expert staff members have combed the state to suggest exciting summertime experiences for everyone. There’s bound to be something new for you on this list!
Listen to the Sounds of Summer
Summer concerts are happening all season long, and there’s an affordable live music option for everyone. Enjoy the longer days and warmer nights with festivals and performances by world-famous musical artists at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park, Jones Beach Theater at the iconic Jones Beach in Wantagh, and Artpark in Lewiston, or boogie with your favorite local bands at a state park or historic site near you. All options offer the chance to relax and enjoy the show from a blanket or chair.
– Written by Gabriela Wemple, Excelsior Service Fellow
Keep It Cool
Swimming is the quintessential summertime activity, and a fun and active way to experience our parks! From pristine lakes to Olympic-size swimming pools, spray pads to oceanfront beaches, New York’s state parks are overflowing with places to swim in the summer months. We welcome you to enjoy our designated swim areas where lifeguards are present.
Did you know swimming pool entry fees will be waived at all New York State Parks this summer? Free pool swimming is part of Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, promoting physical activity and mental health. Free sunscreen will also be available at our state parks to ensure you’re staying safe while taking a dip!
New York State Parks’ staff and lifeguards work hard to keep our visitors safe, but there are several common-sense steps you can take to ensure your swim party avoids any close calls. For a fun, safe time, follow the great tips from our ‘Swim Safely This Summer‘ blog post from April.
–Written by Jewel Slade, Albany Marketing Assistant
Hike, Bike, and Gallop Into the Sun
Whether you’re headed out for the day or looking to connect with nature while on a weeklong camping trip, there are thousands of miles of trails to enjoy at New York’s state parks.
When many people think of hiking, their first thought is often mountains, however, trails in New York are full of diverse options. From urban riverfront walkways, to loops around lakes and pathways through gorges, there are so many extraordinary places for you to explore. On the trails page of our website, you can learn all about one of the oldest forms of outdoor recreation.
In addition to trails in parks, the Empire State Trail is the longest single-state multi-use trail system in the United States, and it’s within State Parks’ umbrella! This 750-mile long network of interconnected paths spans as far south as New York City, all the way north to the border with Canada, and as far west as Buffalo Harbor State Park. Several sections of the Empire State Trail even allow you to make use of three different mobility methods – foot, bike, and sometimes even horseback.
You can find in-depth trip inspiration in last month’s blog post, ‘Happy Trails: Empire State Trail Itineraries for the Spring / Summer,’ as well as the Empire State Trail trip planning page. Trail maps and information about specific trails conditions are always available on the individual park pages of our website or through the Parks Explorer app. Make sure to plan ahead and remember to be courteous of your surroundings while on your next excursion.
Save Some Green With Park Amenities
Did you know that many of our state parks have recreation equipment that you can borrow for little-to-no cost? Pack light on your next trip and make use of one of our system’s lesser-known amenities.
If you and your team are looking to start a pick-up game, there’s no need to lug loads of equipment with you on your next trip. Many state parks will allow you to borrow athletic equipment, letting you take full advantage of the public-use pitches. Are the trails more your speed? Parks like Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn have a bike library that make our trails more accessible. You can reserve bicycles and helmets for free for up to 2 hours. Looking to spend your day on the water? Many of our state parks with water features have kayaks, rowboats, and lifejackets that you can rent. At Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, many of the kayaks even have “crystal” bottoms, allowing you to look directly into the bright blue water below.
Equipment offerings vary from park to park. For information about the availability of equipment, call the park you plan to visit. Phone numbers for each park can be found on the park’s page.
–Written by Jennifer Robilotto, Albany Public Affairs Assistant
Explore the Universe
Between the solar eclipse that arced across New York in April and the stunning auroras visible in May, it’s been a great year for heavenly phenomena! If you’ve been inspired to get into stargazing, summer is a great time to do it.
Many of our parks and historic sites offer stargazing programs, often in collaboration with local associations. If there are no events convenient to you, you can still get started on your own, even without a telescope. Choose a park in a location with minimal light pollution, and time your visit for the new moon. Bring a star chart with you, or use an app. Visit a site like nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov for further ideas on timing and preparation. One summer highlight is the Perseid meteor shower, set to light up August skies, with this year’s peak predicted for August 11-13.
Take a Ride on the Mild Side
Did you know that New York State Parks has an amusement park? Midway State Park in Bemus Point on Lake Chautauqua is among the oldest continuously operating parks in the country. It was founded in 1898 as a “trolley park” to provide a destination for weekend riders. It’s endured the demise of the trolley line and rise of the automobile, the Great Depression, two world wars, more than 20 presidential administrations, changing public tastes, and shifts in ownership. This older-than-rock-and-roll park offers thrills more mild than wild, with antique cars, a giant slide, a tilt-a-whirl, and classic games like skee-ball. Its 1946 Allan Herschell carousel was built in the famed North Tonawanda factory less than 100 miles north of the park. Last year, the park welcomed a 1948 30-foot Ferris wheel from a Pennsylvania park.
Speaking of carousels, there are three others in our system. Bear Mountain State Park in Ramapo is home to the 2001 Carousel Works ride featuring animals native to New York State. At Harlem’s Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, the drawings of children came to life in a unique small carousel. And at Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead, the stately 1914 Mangels/M.C Illions & Son hand-carved carousel has delighted parkgoers since August Heckscher donated it in 1931.
Travel Through History
An Indigenous village, a fort occupied by the French, British and Americans, the homes of artists and writers, and a substantial collection of Revolutionary War sites: our 37 state historic sites interpret centuries of history, and summer is the best time to experience it, through guided and self-guided tours, exhibits and special events.
Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia hosts an annual carriage-driving competition with free admission. At Sackets Harbor Battlefield, the North American Grand Tactical Re-Enactment is an annual highlight. And Indigenous culture comes to vibrant life with Indigenous Music and Arts Festival at Ganondagan mid-July. Other sites offer regular tours and exhibits, from the varied tours at Staatsburgh State Historic Site to the history of a woman enslaved by the Livingston family at Clermont State Historic Site. Check out what’s happening!
– Written by Kate Jenkins, Albany Public Affairs Digital Specialist
Seize the State Fair and See Our Smallest Park
While summer is in full swing, don’t miss your chance to visit this state park – open for only 13 days out of the year! The State Park at the Fair is a hidden gem tucked away within the grounds of the New York State Fair. Open only during the run of the Fair, located in Syracuse, visitors can experience all that a state park has to offer.
A reflecting pool and mini-golf course are some of the highlights of the smallest state park in the system – and have become family favorites over the years. Discover the best of New York State’s history and nature with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and exhibits. Stop by to meet one of our environmental educators and build a bird house, or take in the Birds of Prey exhibit.
This year only, visit the State Park at the Fair to complete the “Smallest New York State Park” mission and earn one point as part of our Centennial Challenge! Complete 24 out of 100 missions on our Challenge list to earn a commemorative Centennial Challenge sticker – and be entered in to win one of 25 three-year Empire Passes and Centennial swag! To learn more or to start completing missions today, visit parks.ny.gov/100/challenge.
– Written by Madeleine Gionet, Director of Marketing
Spend Summer on the Links
We have so many ways for you to see New York State, and taking a golf road trip – from the tip of Long Island to the shores of Lake Erie – is one way! Our 19 properties with championship or par-3 courses means there’s something for the experienced or novice golfer and another way to be outside this summer.
Bethpage State Park is by “fore” the most famous, but if you are on Long Island, take the extra time and go out to Montauk Downs. It’s a fantastic track that is worth a summer “drive!”
Off the island and up the Thruway there’s Rockland Lakes in Congers, James Baird in Pleasant Valley, and Dinsmore in Staatsburg. A little west is Chenango Valley State Park and up I-81 is Green Lakes. If you’re traveling with non-golfers – perish the thought – they can go on a glass-bottomed kayak in the park’s two glacial emerald lakes while you take on the course. Click here to read all about our great golf offerings.
Grill, Baby, Grill
Picnics and cookouts are as much a summer experience as camping and swimming. Who doesn’t want to come back from the ole’ swimming hole and be handed a grilled-to-perfection burger, hot dog, or veggie? (Or burnt to a crisp?) Either way, it’s a story to tell.
Our parks offer spots for you to prepare meals for one, or for an entire group. But please make sure you are doing it safely. Click here for more about firewood and cooking in state parks.
If you are bringing your children (and why wouldn’t you to make those memories?), here are a few kid-friendly ideas to consider:
- Make sure you have a colorful variety of foods. Most cookout food are shades of brown (burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chicken, ribs), so jazz it up with the veggies!
- Let the kids brainstorm what to bring or cook and even give them the flipper once in a while!
- Set a good example with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- And, of course, clean up after yourself.
– Written by John Craig, Albany Public Affairs Digital Specialist
Disc-over Disc Golf
Disc golf is a friendly activity that has been offered at our facilities for years. In fact, there are currently 17 state parks that offer disc golf courses. It is a low impact form of exercise and great way to spend time outside with family and friends. The sport offers an easy learning curve, and even better, there are no greens fees.
Also known as Frisbee golf, the rules of the sport are very similar to traditional golf. Players use specially designed discs or frisbees to throw from a tee area with the goal of getting the disc into the disc golf basket in the least amount of throws possible. Score is kept over 18 holes, and the person or team with the lowest score wins.
We invite you to disc-over this activity at one of our state parks sometime this year, and let us know how it goes! Check out our blog post for additional details.
– Written by Tyler Wilcox, Albany Public Affairs Community Relations Representative
We can only cover so much summer fun in one blog post. If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out our Centennial Challenge. We’ve come up with a list of 100 activities to give you a chance to get outdoors and discover our state parks, to learn more about our New York State history at our historic sites, and to give back to preserve all our properties for the next generation. Complete 24 missions to get a sticker and be entered in our grand-prize drawing.
We’ll see you out there!
New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog 
🫶🏽 the newsletter. So much to see and do in New York, thanks for sharing these highlights. It makes me proud to be a New Yorker.
MLaporte
Thank you so much for your kind words! Looking forward to seeing you at our parks and historic sites this summer!