Tag Archives: Four Mile Creek State Park

Camping, Lodging

Sweet Dreams: Explore State Parks’ Remote Islands, Cabins, Resorts and More

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When it comes to planning a vacation or getaway, New York State Parks has overnight options for all kinds of adventures – and budgets!

While some enjoy sleeping in tents away from it all in remote, natural settings under the stars, others crave a few more amenities. Whether you prefer booking rustic cabins and bringing your RV, staying in fully equipped cottages, or resting your head at a historic inn or resort with the comforts of home, State Parks has something for everyone. 

Our Parks system includes 8,148 campsites, 967 cabins and cottages, 18 yurts, three inns, and – yes – a lighthouse. There are countless adventures for every type of stay. Get a map handy and explore highlights from some of our most interesting properties to inspire your next stay.  

La Isla Bonita  

If you have a boat or have access to renting one, answer the siren song of the water and consider the benefits of staying on one of three island parks in the Thousand Islands that are only accessible by boat. 

Canoe Point Island in the Thousand Islands region.

Who’s On Deck? 

Why worry about clearing your campsite for the tent when you can enjoy a level platform? Platform camping provides a wooden deck floor for pitching your tent on a smoother and more even surface. 

A camping deck in Lake Taghkanic State Park in Ancram, NY.

Cabins and Cottages and a Lighthouse (Oh My!)  

The perfect place for a family reunion on the Great Lakes? Check. Lakefront luxe in the Finger Lakes for a bachelorette wine-tasting weekend? Check. Thousand Islands waterfront cabin for anglers telling fish tales about the day’s catch? Check. Memories to last a lifetime? Check, check, check.   

Robert Wehle State Park’s cliffside compound, Thousand Islands region.
  • Robert Wehle State Park features a private setting that accommodates eight, and includes a compound with a main house, guest quarters, studio, and formal gardens set cliffside along the Lake Ontario shorefront.  
A cabin porch at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown, NY.
  • Fans of America’s pastime can stay at a cottage at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown and head to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, then go old school and listen to a game on the radio from the cottage’s front porch. 
Waterfront cottage porch, Sampson State Park.
Waterfront cottage interior, Sampson State Park.
  • The eastern shore of Seneca Lake is home to Sampson State Park in the Finger Lakes. The park’s waterfront cottages and campsites make an ideal setting for picturesque sunsets. You can also take advantage of the marina and boat slips to enjoy the views from the water. The park regularly draws visitors for its proximity to the region’s famous wine trails. 
Thirty-Mile Point Lighthouse available to rent at Golden Hill State Park in the Thousand Islands region.
  • Thirty-Mile Point Lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park on Lake Ontario is one of the most unique lodging options within the park system. Less than an hour from Niagara Falls, the second floor of the lighthouse has a three-bedroom suite available for rental and you don’t even have to know maritime navigation!  
Rustic cabins at Bowman Lake State Park in Oxford, NY, in State Parks’ Central region.
  • Affordably priced, the rustic cabins at Bowman Lake State Park are great for any family vacation. These cabins are the perfect in-between for campers who like both tents and cabins. Offering protection from the elements, these one-room shelters sleep four or six, but have no electricity or water. 
Two-bedroom cottage at Westcott Beach State Park.
Westcott Beach cottage interior.
Outdoor patio at Westcott Beach cottages.
  • Westcott Beach State Park near Henderson Harbor has a beautiful beach, sheltered marina and access to world class boating, fishing, and other watersports. In addition to campsites, the park has eight cottages atop a plateau with stunning water views. These deluxe two-bedrooms include a loft, living room, full kitchen, full bath, and outdoor patio for the ultimate in accommodations. 
Lakeside Cabin at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, NY, in our Saratoga / Capital region.
  • In the foothills of the Adirondacks, Moreau Lake State Park offers incredibly scenic lodging with water gently lapping outside the cabin door and easy access to trails. 
Cabins along the beach at Heckscher State Park on Long Island. (Photo credit: Alice Park)
  • On the Great South Bay, conveniently located to popular ocean beaches, Heckscher State Park is a Long Island favorite, featuring 15 cottages and a 69-site campground for tents, trailers, and RVs. 
Cabin life at Allegany State Park in Western New York. (Photo credit: Sabrina Kornowski)
  • At 65,000 acres, Allegany State Park is not only the largest state park in New York, but its two areas, Quaker and Red House are the most welcoming for winter sports enthusiasts. The park heats up when the temperatures drop, with cozy winter cabin and cottage rentals available for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing. 

Yurt Going to Love These  

If round and conical are your favorite shapes, we’ve got a sweet getaway idea for you and your bunkmates. Used traditionally by nomads in Central Asia, yurts are wood lattice-framed structures with heavy duty fabric sides.  

Yurt accommodations at Four Mile Creek State Park in Youngstown, NY, in State Parks’ Niagara region.
  • You can find yurts at Four Mile Creek, Evangola, and Golden Hill State Parks in the Niagara region. State Parks’ versions have windows, a domed roof (and skylight!), wood floors, and creature comforts like cots with mattresses, a refrigerator, microwave, and air conditioning. 

Triple Threat: Camping, Swimming, and Golf 

Several popular state parks showcase three-destinations-in-one for a fun summer trifecta: a campground, swimming beach, and golf course. What’s not to love? 

Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY, in our Central region. (Photo credit: Denise White)
  • Stunning Green Lakes State Park looks like it belongs in the Caribbean because of the deep color of its two glacial lakes, but it’s actually located just outside of Syracuse. With campsites, cabins, a popular beach, trails, and an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, the park is a Central New York favorite. And for an added bonus, the park is adjacent to the Empire State Trail. 
Beaches and more at Chenango Valley State Park in State Parks’ Central region. (Photo credit: Traci Parks)
  • The Southern Tier’s Chenango Valley State Park just north of Binghamton has more than 1,200 acres and includes a beautiful beachfront and swimming area, multi-use trails, campsites and cabins, and an 18-hole course. 
Wellesley Island State Park in the Thousand Islands. (Photo credit: Mary Forgea)
  • Wellesley Island State Park really brings it. With campsites, cabins and cottages, a sandy beach on the river, marina, boat launches, pavilions, trails, a 9-hole golf course, and the notable Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, this flagship park is the heart of the Thousand Islands.   

Inn-Credible   

Most people don’t think about formal accommodations when they hear “State Parks,” but we have some phenomenal lodging options that might surprise you. For those who appreciate the outdoors but would prefer more traditional sleeping quarters, our inns are not to be missed. Just a few examples:

The Glen Iris Resort in Letchworth State Park in the Finger Lakes region.
  • The Glen Iris Inn has the front seat to a beautiful view in the northeast: the Middle Falls along the Genesee River gorge at Letchworth State Park. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this park southwest of Rochester sparks awe, from the inn’s bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon to white water rafting along the river below.
The Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park.
  • In Saratoga Springs, the town is bustling during summer’s track season, and the National Historic Landmark Saratoga Spa State Park wows visitors, welcoming them along its iconic Avenue of the Pines to the elegant Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, nestled among the trails and natural springs. Saratoga Spa State Park offers a choice of two golf courses and pampering in the resort’s spa. Museums, a theater, two pool complexes, and a renowned performing arts center round out the on-site attractions at the park.
Bear Mountain Inn in Bear Mountain State Park in the Taconic region.
  • And sure it’s cool that people rough it and spend time completing the Appalachian Trail, but with the historic Bear Mountain Inn just about an hour north of New York City, you can stay at the namesake park, hike the original start of the famous AT, and then have a spa treatment and brunch.

Get Your Group On  

Group Camps, often ranging in accommodations for between 20-100 people, can be a great alternative for your family reunion or larger group outing.  

  • At Stony Brook State Park, the campsite can hold 60 people and is located in a remote area so that your group is secluded from other campers, adding to the group camping experience. Grills, picnic tables, fire rings, and facilities are available with showers nearby.   

Now that you a have a better sense of your options, we invite you to discover these overnight stays – and many more – among the wonders of nature, including scenic trails, crystal clear waters, and sandy beaches. Luckily, finding the perfect location for your next getaway has never been easier.  

Whether you plan months ahead or are the more spontaneous traveler, you can book a stay at a New York state park from up to 3 p.m. on the day of arrival* to 9 months in advance by calling toll-free 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. [Same-day reservations will be allowed until 3pm on day of arrival; this applies to campsites only. Cabins, cottages, and yurts can be reserved as late as 1-day prior to arrival.]   

Insider Tips?

Review the Camping Guide: Our NY State Parks Camping Guide is available online. Scroll down on each digital panel to get more information on options.

Check our Inventory: For prospective campers who find themselves without plans for an upcoming few days, check out the Camping This Weekend tab on our site to see what’s available throughout the Parks system. The listings are updated the Wednesday before each weekend.  

Earn Points: Be sure to sign up for the New York State Parks Loyalty/Rewards Program. Earn ten points for every dollar you spend on overnight accommodations at New York State Parks Campgrounds. Start earning points on new reservations as soon as you are enrolled. Stay more, get more!  

-Written by Wendy Gibson, Public Affairs Bureau

Camping, Family Fun, Park Projects

Camping in the Round

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While State Parks offers more than 8,100 campsites, 825 cabins, and 136 full-service cabins across New York, in the western part of the state, there is another kind of camping option available – yurts.

A yurt is a round fabric shelter on a raised platform, with a roof, door, and windows that provides more shelter and room than a ground tent yet is a simpler accommodation than a traditional wood-framed cabin. The history of yurts traces back about 3,000 years to central Asia, where nomadic peoples used these portable homes as they moved around vast treeless grassland plains, known as steppes.

Yurt is a Turkish adaptation of the Mongolian word “ger” (meaning “home”) originally used to describe such residences, which were meant to be easy to assemble and disassemble as their owners moved with their horses and livestock throughout the seasons. Yurts are formed by a circular wooden lattice wall that supports wooden rafters attached to a elevated center ring, with the structure draped in fabric, originally felt, wool or hides. Being round, yurts were perfectly designed to resist high winds common in the region, since the shape has no corners or flat spots to catch wind gusts.

According to historians, the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan led his vast armies from his command post in a large yurt that moved from battlefield to battlefield.

The historical importance of the yurt to the region is represented in the official flag of the republic of Kyrgyzstan in central Asia. The flag consists of a red field charged with a yellow sun that contains a depiction of a “tunduk,” the opening in the center of the roof of a yurt. This view is what someone might see looking up upon awakening in a yurt

The state flag of Kyrgyzstan, featuring a representation of the center opening in a yurt’s roof. (Photo Credit – Wikipedia)
A Mongolian ger on the steppe at Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park in southern Mongolia. (Photo Credit- Wikipedia Commons, Uploaded by Adagio at English Wikipedia)

Easy and quick to build, this ancient design arrived in America during the 1970s as part of the simplified “back to the land” movement, slowly developing a following as an inexpensive form of housing that could be assembled in a day. The structures have been gaining popularity in recent years as a camping accommodation that puts its residents close to nature, while offering more comfort and sturdier protection against the elements than a tent. Modern yurts are meant primarily to be kept in place as semi-permanent structures, although they still can be taken apart and moved if necessary.

Three state parks in western New York now offer yurts as places to camp _ Four Mile Creek and Golden Hill state parks in Niagara County, and Evangola State Park in Erie County. Made from wooden lattice and rafters covered with heavy-duty fabric and insulation, these yurts feature a domed roof, windows, and bunk beds, as well as a refrigerator, microwave, and heating/AC units.

The yurts at both Four Mile Creek and Golden Hill at located closed to Lake Ontario and offer beautiful views. Golden Hill’s yurts are situated so that the decks provide a view of both sunrises and sunsets with Golden Hill’s Thirty Mile Lighthouse in sight. Take a slideshow tour of the Golden Hill yurts below…

At Evangola, the yurts are located next to a fishing pond, and just a short walk to the park’s Lake Erie shoreline.

Campers who have stayed in the yurts tell State Parks that they like it because it’s “in-between” camping in a tent and a cabin, being particularly useful for those who might not have all the gear needed for tent camping.

When the first yurts went up in 2013 at Four Mile Creek, New York State Parks joined a growing number of state parks across the country embracing this form of shelter as a camping alternative.

A yurt at Four Mile Creek State Park with an ADA accessible ramp.

According to industry accounts, the first two yurts in a state park in the U.S. went up in Oregon in 1993. Now, some two dozen state park systems across the country have added yurts.

The yurts in New York’s state parks are 20 feet in diameter, which results in about 330 square feet of interior living space and plenty of head room. While that might seem spacious for those used to maneuvering around a tent, that is a far cry from the largest yurt in the world. The so-called “White Building” (Ak Öýi) in the Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat, dedicated in 2015, is in the form of a yurt more than 200 feet in diameter that stands about 100 feet high, with three separate stories holding a café, offices, apartments and an auditorium with 3,000 seats!

So, when considering camping at State Parks in western New York, think about trying out a yurt. Three thousand years of history can’t be wrong!

A traditional yurt on a cart in contemporary Kazakhstan. (Photo Credit- Wikipedia Commons/Creative Commons)

Cover Shot- A yurt at Four Mile Creek State Park. All shots credited to NYS Parks unless otherwise noted.

Post by Brian Nearing, Deputy Public Information Officer, NYS Parks

Resources

All reservations for New York State Park yurts, campsites, cabins, and full-service cottages are handled through the ReserveAmerica website.

Family Fun, Flora & Fauna, Hiking

“Big Day” Birding Adventure in State Parks of Western New York

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Planning for a New York State Parks birding “big day” started before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our world and lives. Originally, it called for a team of three to four birders to see how many species could be tallied in one day while visiting only State Parks during the height of spring migration in May.

Besides being a fun adventure, I wanted to highlight the fabulous birding opportunities for visitors to the State Parks in Western New York, and bring attention to habitat restoration projects in several parks that have enhanced the birding in the parks. The third week of May is the best time to see the most bird species in Western New York and it was perfect that my kids and wife were scheduled to be away for a trip to Boston.  

While the school trip and the team approach didn’t work out due to COVID, my original target date of May 20th held up and I embarked on a solo, New York State Parks only, birding big day. Of course, this was done while wearing a mask and maintaining social distance from other Parks visitors as spelled out in these guidelines.

And the day started early…

Sunrise at Golden Hill State Park.

* 4:40 a.m., Golden Hill State Park, Niagara County. While listening in the darkness for any vocalizing nocturnal birds, an Eastern Whip-poor-will sounded off like an emphatic alarm clock– “whip-poor-will! whip-poor-will! whip-poor-will!” This uncommon migrant to this region was the first great addition to my big day list. Two more heard vocalizing shortly thereafter in another part of the park to add to the excitement.

Many bird species started singing as sunrise approached and then after sunrise, I quickly realized that it was going to be a great day because there were warblers and other migrant birds all throughout the park.

Cerulean Warbler at Golden Hill State Park

I departed Golden Hill around 8:45 a.m. with 93 species, including 22 warbler species. I also realized that luck was working in my favor, as evidenced by one notable example. While scanning Lake Ontario with my spotting scope, I heard a Cerulean Warbler sing from some trees behind me. I turned away from the lake to go find this rare migrant and watched a pair of Sandhill Cranes fly by as I walked. Had I not turned when the warbler sang, I would have missed the cranes!

* Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, Four Mile Creek State Park, and Fort Niagara State Park, Niagara County, through 1 p.m.  The lakeshore parks were all filled with migrant birds and it was tough to leave them even though I was well behind schedule at this point. With 109 species already, it was time to head south along the Niagara River for some species I had “staked out” in the weeks beforehand.

Red-tailed Hawk at Fort Niagara State Park
Swainson’s Thrush at Four Mile Creek State Park
Bay-breasted Warbler at Four Mile Creek State Park
Red-eyed Vireo at Fort Niagara State Park

* 1:10 p.m. Joseph Davis State Park, Niagara County. Not only was the Pied-billed Grebe still present as I was hoping, but I found another sitting on a nest. After some quick photos to document the breeding activity of this State-listed threatened species for the New York Breeding Bird Atlas III project, I hiked the trails to find a few other likely breeding species that were present a week earlier. It’s rewarding to see that the vegetative habitat in the eastern part of the park is still in good shape after an invasive species removal and bird habitat restoration project was completed in 2013. I was involved in that project design through my employer Ecology and Environment Inc (E&E)., a WSP company, as part of grant funded project with Buffalo Audubon Society and Audubon New York.

Pied-billed Grebe at Joseph Davis State Park
Baltimore Oriole at Joseph Davis State Park

*2 p.m. Artpark State Park, Niagara County. Even among local birders, not too many people think of Artpark as a birding destination; however, an upland grassland habitat was created on the Lewiston Plateau as part of a 2003 project involving E&E and the Village of Lewiston with funding from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and Niagara County. This grassland has hosted Grasshopper Sparrows for years, and this year I discovered rare Clay-colored Sparrows there as well.

Grasshopper Sparrow
Orchard Oriole

While I expected to get these two “staked out” species, I also picked up two nice bonus species with Black Vulture and Merlin, both seen flying from the expansive view looking toward the Niagara Gorge. My list was up to 120 species.

* 2:45 to 4 p.m., Reservoir State Park and Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara County. A quick check of the Lewiston Reservoir provided an Osprey but not any hoped-for shorebird species. While Niagara Falls State Park is one of my favorite local places to go birding, I didn’t spend a lot of time there beyond picking up a few expected species in the afternoon on this warm day. Falling more behind schedule, I had to drop one of the planned stops and reluctantly passed by Buckhorn Island State Park, which is a great place to go birding. However, I felt that I had better chances of adding new species at other parks with less hiking time. I likely missed out on a few species there.

* 4:15 p.m. Beaver Island State Park, Erie County. This spring, the local birders have regularly visited the recently restored marsh habitat along the Niagara River in East River Marsh. Marsh birds have really taken to this location and I added a handful of species including Sora and Marsh Wren to my list. It’s been delightful to see such a rapid response from birds to this restored habitat. New York State Parks took on the design and construction project efforts with funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This serves as a great predecessor to some upcoming similar projects at Buckhorn Island State Park.

*5:50 p.m. Amherst State Park, Erie County. This is the park where the warmest day of the spring caught up with me through more than fatigue. I’m a regular visitor to the park in spring and fall for birding and family hikes but I’m always there in the early morning. I had never seen so many people in the park as on this visit and I knew right away that birding would be a challenge, as well as trying to maintain social distancing even though most in the park did not share that concern. I picked up two staked out species plus an obliging White-breasted Nuthatch, a common species that I was in danger of missing out on for the day.

*6:50 p.m. Woodlawn Beach State Park, Erie County. A walk on the beach on a beautiful evening with the sun starting to set over Lake Erie was picturesque but without any new shorebird or gull species that I was hoping to add. A Cooper’s Hawk seen from the parking lot kept up the streak of adding at least one new species at each park on the day.

*8 p.m. Knox Farm State Park, Erie County. The last stop was good to get Eastern Meadowlark and American Kestrel in the extensive grasslands and then the last addition for the day was a Wood Duck that I saw fly into the woods. With sunset nearly on hand, I called it a day and headed home.

And what a birding adventure it was. The final count was 138 species, which was much better than I was expecting. Other notable numbers were 185 miles by car, over 30,000 steps on foot, and 11 State Parks visited.

While I have known of the tremendous birding in these parks for many years, it was great to get out and experience so many of them in one big day. It only reinforced to me how important these parks are for providing bird habitat, and how habitat restoration projects I’ve been involved with professionally have improved bird habitat even more at several of the parks.

Birding has been one of the best ways for me and many others to get outside during these pandemic times. A big day is at the more extreme end of the birding hobby, and not the way for someone to start into birding. Visiting your local State Park is a great place to go and start out.  For the more experienced birders, the bar has been set at 138 species for a New York State Parks (only!) big day. I’ll be interested to read about the efforts of others who try a similar adventure.

Cover Photo- Baltimore Oriole at Joseph Davis State Park. All photos by Mike Morgante.

By Mike Morgante, Senior Group Leader, Ecology and Environment Inc.

Resources

  1. The New York Breeding Bird Atlas III has something for everyone from beginner birders to the most experienced.
  2. Find background information and recordings of bird calls at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
  3. Review the 23 separate Bird Conservation Areas to be found in New York State Parks across the state.