So I am planning a 2-3 day tour of NY State and would like to get everyone's input on what are some places I should put on the "Hit List". Watkins Glen State Park is on my mind but the area itself seems kinda small so I know spending a day there is too much. I am open to everywhere in the state... maybe even swing by Niagara falls on this tour but I am more interested in hiking and roaming. Finding those discoveries along the trail has always been one of my favorite aspects of exploring. A hike up a mountain would be a definite plus. Thanks in advance for everyone's input, feel free to post pictures.
I am from Rochester Watkins Glen State Park is a good one for sure. The park is much more than just the lower falls, you can walk way up the water falls, or do that then come back down then drive way up to the upper part where the water feeds from. Some nice photo ops up there. Like this:
Another for sure spot to hit is Letchworth State Park. I've been going there since I was little. Plenty of photos about it online as well as info. It's called the Grand Canyon of the East for good reason. 3 sets of water falls, too.
Some others:
Buttermilk Falls
Stony Brook (if you go here, walk "off the beaten path" up along some of the creeks and you'll find some gorgeous small water falls)
Keuka Lake - I used to go here a lot and near sunrise or sunset there are some pretty spectacular photo ops from many vantage points, including some with vineyards in the foreground which always seem to come out good. Any more info - just PM me if you want, I'll be happy to help. I made many, many trips down there in the last two years from Rochester.
Charlie, I am located in the Hudson Valley I am with Ernest the Adirondack's are amazing approx 6 million achers of park land. Lots of amazing hikes , the High peaks area is packed with area's easily accessible and so is the Keene Valley, the Ausable river has lots of opps (runs through the park ). I have some specific spots I would be happy to share with you, send me a PM if you interested and I will give you my cell number and we can talk. I also spend a lot of time in the Catskills in particular New Paltz and Minnewaska preserve there is a lot there as well but you need some time to explore. I hope this is helpful , regards,
Dean
Thank you everyone for the responses, after investigating of what everyone shared I think the Adirondack's provide the terrain i am looking for. The high peaks region in particular has my interest. Lots of Mountains to hike with some big views. I have been to the area once before in the winter time to snowboard whiteface. I only got to shoot a little bit in the area last time though so I am excited to go back.
I plan on picking one of these up too so I can navigate the area better. http://www.adk.org/product.php?pid=1948&pname=High%20Peaks%20Trails%20and%20Map%20Pack
Watkins Glen State Park is a good one for sure. The park is much more than just the lower falls, you can walk way up the water falls, or do that then come back down then drive way up to the upper part where the water feeds from. Some nice photo ops up there. Like this: