New Year’s Activities at Allegany State Park
New Year’s Activities at Allegany State Park
SALAMANCA - What better way to end the year or begin the new year than with a bike ride or a hike. Allegany is offering three unique events to celebrate and enjoy the outdoors.
New Gear’s Eve Bike Ride begins at Camp Allegany on December 31, 2021 at 6:00pm, with the ride starting at 6:30pm. Grab your bike and some friends to join Allegany staff and WNYMBA members for the last ride of the year. Bring lights, wear warm and reflective gear and a helmet. No one will be left behind. Participants may be split into different paced groups, if necessary. There will be a social to follow the ride in the Mess Hall at Camp Allegany. Bring your own snacks. Masks are required indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained. Questions: Call the Environmental Education Department 716-354-9101 ext. 232.
First Day Hike: Discover the history of Allegany State Park on January 1, 2022. Get your New Year off to a great start with a hike in Allegany State Park along the new Quaker Run Area Multi-Use trail. The Quaker Run Area is where Allegany State Park was born 100 years ago, and this year’s “First Day History Hike” is an easy 3+ mile trek (round trip) featuring 20 historical tidbits of information about the features that can be found in this area of the park. The Quaker Store Museum will be open for this special event. Members of the Allegany State Park Historical Society will be on-hand at the Museum to answer questions about the park and its history. The Friends of Allegany State Park will be providing hot chocolate and coffee next door at the former gift shop. The First Day Hike will run from 10:00am-2:00pm. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear and/or snowshoes. Masks are required indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Suggested parking areas are the Quaker General Store, Quaker Picnic area or Bear Caves parking lot. Participants can pick up a “First Day Hike” bandana at the Quaker Store Museum and a hiking guide at Quaker Rental or the Museum. For more information, please contact the Environmental Education/Recreation Department at 716-354-9101 ext. 232 or email AlleganySP@parks.ny.gov.
First Day Bike mirrors the First Day Hike event at Allegany State Park held on the Quaker side of the park. Next Level Mountain Biking will be leading a ride in the Red House area. Meet at the Administration Building at 11:00am on January 1, 2022. The pace and the length of the ride will be moderate and be determined by the participants. No one will be left behind. Participants may split into different paced groups, if necessary. Fat bikes are suggested, given the range of conditions likely to be present, however, use your best judgement for the conditions of the day. Questions: Contact Kristian Reiber at nextlevelmountainbiking@gmail.com or phone 716-785-2685.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.