Tag Archives: travel

Family Fun, Hiking, Winter Activities

Get Outside and Join New York State Parks for First Day Hikes 2025! 

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For thousands of New Yorkers, First Day Hikes are a favorite way to ring in the New Year.  

This tradition is an opportunity to get active outside with friends and family while working towards your New Year’s resolutions. 2025 marks the fourteenth iteration of the event in New York State, with hikes taking place on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 

Ringing in 2024 at Olana State Historic Site (left), Glimmerglass State Park (center), and Saratoga Springs State Park (right). Join us to ring in 2025!

More than 90 hikes will take place across New York’s public lands, at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, forest preserves, nature centers, and canal trails. These family-friendly hikes range from one to five miles, based on location and trail conditions. No matter your experience level or time commitment, there’s a suitable adventure to be found! 

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Family Fun, Historic Sites, Recreation, Winter Activities

Ten Winter Activities At State Parks and Historic Sites

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Centuries of holiday traditions to experience. A park that’s only open one season a year. Meteor showers overhead, tracks through the snow, and miles of trails to enjoy in a whole different way.

Winter fun is everywhere at state parks and historic sites! Below are ten activities we suggest you experience this season.

The heart of winter: the ski lodge at Fahnestock Winter Park in the Hudson Valley.

1. Visit Fahnestock Winter Park. Celebrate the spirit of winter at the only park in our system devoted exclusively to the season. At Fahnestock, you’ll discover 20 kilometers of machine-groomed cross-country ski trails, an extensive network of blazed snowshoeing trails, and sledding and tubing. Fuel up at the concession stand and unwind by the fire pit with your fellow winter lovers for the full seasonal experience! No gear? No problem! You can rent equipment for skate and classic skiing, as well as snowshoes, sledding tubes, and tow-behind baby pulks. Check conditions before you go.

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2024 Centennial Celebration, Park History

New Stories Behind State Parks Expand History Timeline 

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In celebration of our Centennial anniversary this year, we have been telling the story of New York State parks and historic sites through our interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail. Since our last update on the blog, we’ve covered a lot of ground with three densely packed additions illuminating two eras of State Parks history.

Picking up where we left off in 1929, the new additions to the online exploration of our history span from the start of the Great Depression in 1930 until the end of post-war recovery in 1959.  

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Family Fun, Recreation, State History

Your Guide To Fall At New York State Parks And Historic Sites

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Crisp air. Crunchy leaves. Fall is a magical season. Temperatures are just right for hiking, biking and outdoor adventure. There’s vibrant color everywhere and honking geese overhead. It’s the season of apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice, and of course, Halloween! Maybe that’s why fall has eclipsed summer as the busiest time of year at our parks and historic sites? For your consideration and enjoyment, our seasonal outdoor fun experts have returned to help you squeeze every last drop out of this delightful season!

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Camping, Family Fun, Lodging

Camping 101: A Guide to Getting Out There

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New to camping or haven’t gone since you were a kid? Thinking about how to prepare for or what to expect during an overnight trip might be overwhelming, and we get it! Used to creature comforts at home, trying something new or unpredictable always feels intimidating.

But what if, with a little help, what seems challenging turned out to be calming and therapeutic, refreshing and well worth it? Studies show that spending time outdoors and offline fosters positive mental health, improves resiliency, and relieves depression, anxiety and stress, particularly among our young people.

A parent and child relaxing in their tent during a camping trip.

Here at New York State Parks, we firmly believe in the benefits of the outdoors, and we don’t want nervousness or confusion to stand in the way of you and your loved ones having an incredible camping experience. That’s why we’ve done the work for you. In this post, we’ll shell out some rock-solid guidance on:

  • what to pack (including an updated version of our checklist!)
  • campground etiquette
  • fun and easy recipes to try
  • the differences between Parks and DEC campgrounds

Camping is an affordable way to enjoy nature in new ways. Here’s hoping we’ll #SeeYouOutThere.

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