Local Parks Welcome Visitors for the 2024 Season

It’s finally time to put away the heavy coats, trade snow boots for hiking boots, and load up the car with bug spray, picnic blankets, and binoculars! Yes, it’s that time of year again when local outdoor venues open their gates to visitors looking to enjoy nature for a week, a weekend, or even just an afternoon. Not sure where to begin? Why not make it a goal to visit all the region’s green havens by Labor Day weekend?

Allegany State Park

Located in Cattaraugus County just north of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest, Allegany State Park, or ASP, has two distinct sections: the Quaker Run Area and the Red House Area. ASP is the largest park in the New York State Park system, and - for those bird watching enthusiasts - the Allegany bird conservation area includes one of the largest tracts of interior forest in the state. In fact, the park contains large breeding populations of the Osprey and the Cerulean Warbler, both species of special concern in New York.

While both areas are open year-round, certain activities, amenities, and campsites are only available during the warm weather months. The Quaker area is most known for its two scenic lakes, where visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. If you have camping on the brain, look no further! Choose from tent sites, cabins, and cottages, some of which are fully equipped with electricity and heat and can be rented all year. Camping season for Cain Hollow and Diehl Trail sites runs from May 17th to October 26th and are reservation only. Visit newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com to book a site.

ASP’s Red House Area is a great place for every member of the family to explore and enjoy! With five miles of paved bike paths, boat and bike rentals, and a beautiful sandy beach, the Red House Area is perfect for a day trip to the park. The area is known for its landmark historical buildings, including the Tudor-style Administration Building, which houses a natural history museum and a gift shop, and the Stone Tower, where visitors can ascend the stairs and enjoy an incredible view of the park.

Chestnut Ridge Park

Located in nearby Erie County, Chestnut Ridge Park is approximately 1,151 acres and was named by early settlers for the Great Chestnut trees in the area. While the park may have been named for its chestnut tree population, its fame comes from a curious natural phenomenon that continues to draw visitors year after year: the Eternal Flame Falls. This small waterfall can be found in the Shale Creek Preserve section of Chestnut Ridge Park: tucked under the base of the waterfall is a small grotto that emits natural gas, which, once lit, burns continuously and can be seen all year round!

Though visitors often come for a peak at the Eternal Flame, they stay for the many other activities the park offers throughout the year. Bicycling, hiking trails, and playgrounds are just a few of the amenities offered, not to mention the 12 tennis courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, and several family picnic grills. Camping, depending on site, is available from May 1st through October 31st, and shelter rentals are available from May 15th through October 15th. To learn more about the park and make reservations, visit https://www3.erie.gov/parks/chestnut-ridge.

Delevan Twin Drive-In Theatre

The Delevan Twin Drive-In Theatre is officially open for the 2024 season! Located at 11771 NY-16 in Delevan, the drive-in features two screens and a snack bar with lots of goodies to enjoy during the movie. Follow the Delevan Twin Drive-In Theatre on Facebook to find out which movies are being featured each weekend, including screens, movie ratings, and approximate start times. The ticket booth and snack bar open at 7:00pm., and movies currently begin at approximately 8:30pm. Tickets are $10 for guests ages 12 and up, $9 for seniors (55+) and veterans, $6 for children ages four to 11, and free for children three and younger. As concessions play an important role in supporting the drive-in, guests are encouraged to patronize the Snack Bar rather than bringing in outside food. Cash is preferred, but credit cards are accepted. For more information, call 716-496-5660 or email delevandrivein@gmail.com.

Griffis Sculpture Park

One of America’s largest and oldest sculpture parks, Griffis Sculpture Park occupies 450 acres in East Otto and includes over 250 large-scale sculptures throughout miles of hiking trails. The park’s official season is May 1st through October 31st and is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Park creator Larry Griffis, Jr., a World War II veteran and family hosiery company owner, left Buffalo and moved to Rome with his family to learn the art of bronze casting. There, he became inspired by the beauty of Italy’s natural landscape and sculptural ruins and returned to the area to create a sculpture park. The land, which began as a gift of 125 acres from Griffis’ mother, has grown to include over 300 additional acres that comprise two sections.

The Rohr Hill Road area has large-scale sculptures in the fields and woods not far from the road, and the Mill Valley Road area has several miles of hiking trails and a smooth walking area. The steel sculptures, each placed intentionally with the natural setting in mind, include those made by Griffis, as well as many other artists from all over the world. Several of the sculptures are climb-able, but visitors should take necessary precautions, such as wearing comfortable and sturdy clothing and footwear. Griffis Sculpture Park is a private, non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants to maintain the grounds. Suggested donations for admission are $5 per adult and $3 for seniors and children ages five to 12. For more information, visit www.griffissculpturepark.org.

Jakes Rocks

Day trippers will love the overlook at Jakes Rocks just outside Warren, Pennsylvania. Open year-round, the area includes a trail that loops around the day-use area and guides visitors past large boulders to the overlook, which is built onto a large boulder. The incredible views of Jackson Bay on the Allegheny Reservoir, Kinzua Dam, and the surrounding Allegheny National Forest provide many opportunities to take in the local flora and fauna. More than 300 species of animals, including foxes, beaver, mink, muskrat, white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, and many more can be found in the region, not to mention over 70 species of game and non-game fish.

The area includes 35 miles of mountain biking trails of varying levels of difficulty that connect to Dewdrop Campground for those looking to spend the night. Picnic tables, grills, and restrooms are available; please note that there are no electric hookups or shelters on site. For trail information and driving directions, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/allegheny/recarea/?recid=6092.

Letchworth State Park

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park has some of the most scenic views in New York state. The Genesee River runs through the gorge, creating three major waterfalls, up to 600 feet high in some areas. Visitors can explore 66 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and more. Swim in the pool, enjoy a guided walk, or picnic in the park—there’s no shortage of activities in this 17-mile-long park. Much of the park qualifies as a bird conservation area and includes several Great Blue Heron rookeries, over 30 species of warblers, and several confirmed breeders such as the Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Yellow-breasted Chat, and more.

Wondering what sets Letchworth apart from other state parks? The Humphrey Nature Center has year-round programming, along with interactive exhibits that share the area’s plants, animals, geology, and river ecology. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the activities just outside the nature center, including the butterfly garden, a bird conservation station, and trails to Trout Pond, Inspiration Point Overlook, and areas of old growth forest. Letchworth’s Autism Nature Trail is a one-mile accessible loop that features eight different sensory stations and is ADA compliant and suitable for wheelchairs. Camping season runs from May 17th through October 14th; those interested can book 30 and 50 amp sites and cabins, which are available from May to mid November. Swimming season takes place from late June through Labor Day, and the Humphrey Nature Center is open all year. To learn more, visit www.parks.ny.gov/parks/letchworth.

Portville Drive-In

Located at 1060 Olean-Portville Road, the Portville Drive-In is the perfect place to enjoy the latest summer blockbuster with the family! The drive-in is now open every weekend with two screens showing the latest movie, one of which is among the largest drive-in theater screens in the state. From May through late June, movies will play on the weekends only; gates open at 7:30pm and the movies begin at dusk. Check out the Portville Drive-In’s Facebook page for updates on additional showing days/times as the summer progresses. The Snack Bar serves a variety of treats including candy, popcorn, pizza, nachos, fries, soda, and more. Admission is $8 per person and $3 for children ages 11 and younger. Please note that the Portville Drive-In is cash only. To find out what’s playing, visit www.portvilledrivein.com.

Rock City Park

Since 1890, Rock City Park has been welcoming visitors to the gigantic quartz conglomerate rock formations believed to have sheltered members of the Seneca Nation of Indians many, many years ago. The park includes a hiking trail that takes approximately 45 minutes to complete from start to finish. However, it’s unlikely visitors will leave the park so quickly, as there are so many landmarks and rock formations to explore! Main Trail signage guides visitors around 16 named rock formations, including Three Sisters Rock, Old Man of the Rocks, Tepee Rock, and Sentinel Rock. The Indian Stairway is the last formation that brings visitors up a wall of quartz conglomerate to a bench that provides some respite at just the right time.

Rock City Park is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, May through October. Admission is $8 for teens and adults and $5 for children ages six to 12. For more information, including Rock City’s event schedule, visit www.rockcitypark.com.

Local Parks Welcome Visitors for the 2024 Season

Local Parks Welcome Visitors for the 2024 Season

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