10 Best Small Towns in New York for Outdoor Enthusiasts
New York, also known as the Empire State, is bursting with many great small towns. A majority of these towns showcase the great outdoors in a variety of exemplary ways. From the Adirondack Mountains in the north-east to the Finger Lakes in the center of the state, to the Catskills in the south-east, to the towns along the coast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in the north-west, New York is a haven for the avid outdoor enthusiast. Unearth ten small towns concealed in the mountains and valleys of New York, that accommodate a love of the great outdoors in the best way possible – through adventure and excitement.
Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen is in Schuyler County, just south of the southern tip of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region. It is home to Watkins Glen State Park, Hawk Meadow Farm, Four Season Alpacas, and Painted Bar Stables. Being a sanctuary for the wonders of nature and natural habitats, Watkins Glen State Park offers the opportunity to hike, fish, commune with nature, and even camp for the night or an entire weekend with the family. There are over 300 RV and tent sites and several cabins available. The park also has several great hiking trails available to the public. The Gorge Trail, the North Rim Trail, and the South Rim Trail are three of the more popular ones.
Rhinebeck
Just across the Hudson River from the Catskill Mountains, the town of Rhinebeck, in Dutchess County, is filled with outdoor adventure. As it is near Catskill Park, those visiting the area can experience all the park offers, including several hiking trails and many scenic vistas. From Artist's Rock and Sunset Rock to the Jimmy Dolan Notch Overlook and Twin Mountain Summit, the natural wonders will keep an outdoor enthusiast occupied for quite a while
There are even several other options in Rhinebeck for the outdoor enthusiast, including the Ferncliff Forest, one of the oldest preserved forests in the Hudson Valley, and Northern Dutchess Botanical Gardens, open daily from the beginning of spring through autumn.
Canandaigua
Boasting a population of about 10,000 residents and situated on the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake in Ontario County, the town of Canandaigua is filled with a variety of options for visitors to truly enjoy the great outdoors. There are several parks, including Kershaw Park, Onanda Park, and West Lake School House Park, the last offering a small public swimming beach. In addition, the town of Canandaigua also offers a variety of nature-related events, like the Festival of Trees at the Granger Homestead, a 19th-century Federal-style mansion that belonged to Gideon Granger, and the festivities held throughout the year in Sonnenberg Gardens, a preserved estate and garden from the Victorian era.
Ellicottville
Located in Cattaraugus County below Buffalo, Ellicottville is home to several outdoor activities, whether winter or summer. Holiday Valley and Holimont, two ski resorts just outside of downtown Ellicottville, offer visitors and residents many snow-covered ski trails for snowboarding and downhill skiing in the winter. Sky High Aerial Adventure Park and the Nannen Arboretum, both in Ellicottville, are great for attaining outdoor excitement during the summer. Ellicottville Village Park offers opportunities to play tennis, try out a little in-line skating, or enjoy a picnic.
Lake George
Further north, in the vicinity of the Adirondack Park and resting on the banks of Lake George, the town sits approximately 60 miles above the town of Albany along the eastern border of upstate New York. From hiking, picnicking, and camping in the depths of Adirondack Park to swimming, fishing, and boating out on Lake George, the surrounding area encompasses an assortment of outdoor adventure and excitement. Tourists and locals alike hike Prospect Mountain and Buck Mountain, both of which possess a great view of Lake George from their approximate 2,000-foot-high summits.
Cold Spring
South of Albany, the town of Cold Spring along the eastern banks of the Hudson River, is a haven for outdoor excitement, even though it is quite close to the hustle and bustle of New York City. Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve is relatively near the town of Cold Spring and offers over 60 options for hiking trails, including the Bull Hill Full Loop, which is just over five miles in length. Cold Spring is also home to Stonecrop Gardens in Hudson Highlands and 15 acres of water, rock, woodland, grass, and flower gardens.
Skaneateles
Northwest of the town of Cold Spring, in the Finger Lakes Region in Onondaga County, the town of Skaneateles sits at the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake. Home to several natural attractions, like the Charlie Major Nature Trail, Carpenter Falls, and Bahar Nature Preserve, Skaneateles draws outdoor enthusiasts from places all over America. Other outdoor attractions for visitors include Thayer Park and Clift Park, both located on Genesee Street, and Davey's Park on Fennell Street. Skaneateles is also famous for several outdoor events. The Fall Fest, at the end of September, is an excellent way to enjoy the town's natural beauty, as well as the wondrous colors seen when the foliage changes.
Montauk
Montauk, a tiny, quaint town in Suffolk County, is best known for its location, as it is situated on the eastern side of Long Island, between Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. It is also well known for Montauk Point State Park, home of the Montauk Point Lighthouse. For outdoor adventure, Montauk is also home to Camp Hero State Park, Shadmoor State Park, and Hither Hills State Park with options for fishing, hiking, and camping.
Cooperstown
Along with several historical options, like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, in Otsego County, and at the southern end of Otsego Lake, has several natural attractions. Lakefront Park and Council Rock Park are in town, and Brookwood Point and Glimmerglass State Park are a short drive away. There are also several attractions in Cooperstown throughout the year, including the First Day Hike held in Glimmerglass State Park and Gilbert Lake State Park in nearby Laurens on the first of January. The First Day Hike in Gilbert Lake lasts from nine to noon, while the First in Glimmerglass lasts from ten to dusk.
Catskill
Named after the mountain range in which it rests, the pastoral town of Catskill is a haven of natural influences like Dutchman's Landing Park and the Old Catskill Game Farm. Situated in the southeastern part of Greene County, this town is also home to Bailiwick Animal Park, where visitors can safely interact with lions, tigers, bears, and a variety of other exotic animals. Dutchman's Landing Park, located in Catskill, offers great opportunities to launch personal boats into the Hudson River. Within easy walking distance, the Hudson River Skywalk is another excellent experience, providing panoramic views of the Catskills and the Hudson River via the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
The great state of New York is filled with some of the best small towns catering to the wonder of nature, whether you are visiting the shores of the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes Region, or even a mountain range like the Adirondacks or the Catskills. From staying overnight in Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes Region to catching a record fish out on Lake George in the Adirondacks to taking a summer stroll with a loved one through Montauk out on Long Island, these towns offer every type of amenity the outdoor enthusiast wants, including fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, and picnicking.
