New York Vacation Ideas
When most people think of New York they think of Sky Scrapers and Subways.
The reality is that New York State is mostly Green forest.
New York is full of beautiful state parks, majestic lakes and picturesque woods. New York State is home to 8,355 campsites. .
Rock Climbing and Caving
New York is a great state for the adventurer and all types of wilderness fun including multi pitch traditional rock climbing and caving. The best caving in the Northeast region is in the Schoharie and Albany counties of New York.
This state has a lifetime of world class climbing that you will find in the Shawangunks alone. The Adirondacks also offer great climbing that will test your endurance and will.
Bring your map and compass because many of these spots are hidden by miles of brush and forest. Don't worry it is worth it, there are great cliffs such as Wallface waiting for you. The Adirondacks also have hundreds of mixed climbing peaks. The top 46 peaks are a challenge to many.
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondacks are an immense region in Northern New York containing 3,000 ponds and lakes, 1,500 miles of rivers, 2,000 miles of hiking trails, nearly 100 campgrounds and more four star resorts than any other destination in the state.
The Adirondack Mountains of New York are a haven for outdoor recreation of all kinds including canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing.
The nation's largest hiking trail system leads you to mountain summits, isolated waterfalls and forest glades.
The Adirondack Region of Northern New York includes the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park, surrounding countryside and the entire western shore of Lake Champlain.
The region is best known for its mountains and lakes but villages, farms, museums, restaurants, artisan shops and a wide variety of accommodations are also abundant.
The Park itself is the size of the state of Vermont and is a hodgepodge of public and private lands.
Expansive blocks of backcountry interspersed with private homes, villages and tracts of corporate forest lands under active management.
In the Adirondacks, it is possible to hike to an isolated waterfall in the afternoon, then spend the evening strolling Main Street.
The park boundary is called the "Blue Line". Inside the Blue Line there are more than 40 state-operated campgrounds, hundreds of miles of canoe routes and 42 peaks over 4,000 feet in height.
There is so much to do here that it could take a life time to truly see it all. Hike, canoe, boat, fish, swim, bike, ride horses, camp, ski, snowmobile, hunt, tour Olympic sites, visit museums and the list goes on. Just like New York City there is more than meets the eye here.
The Adirondacks are home to black bears, white tailed deer, common loons, mergansers, bald eagles, beavers, coyotes, fishers, bobcats, brook and lake trout, land-locked salmon and more.
The flora and fauna of the forests is incredible. Comprised of more than a dozen different types of trees as well as woodland wildflowers such as showy ladyslippers.
Also there are several Alpine summits in the Adirondacks where rare plants thrive under these adverse conditions.
Catskills
This legendary spot was once called "America's wilderness". Its vibrant natural beauty is so abundant that inspiration has been given freely from its vistas since man has walked through this magical land.
The Catskills streams, rivers, mountains and forests that have shaped this majestic landscape have also shaped history, as we know it.
From enlightened and skillful Native Americans, to philosophers and robber barons, the Catskills have been home to all who have taken in the aromatic mountain air and crystalline lake waters.
The Catskills provide the perfect environment in which to find yourself or lose yourself. They are an ideal sanctuary from the daily grind or vacations spot for the family.
The Catskills are divided into four counties:
Delaware County
The largest and most western of the four counties, it is a low-key and private. Gentle mountains show off the river and reservoir valleys offering the most stunning vistas. The great outdoors features skiing, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and more.
Greene County
The smallest, northernmost county in the region, Greene County, is nestled between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Greene County is home to Hunter and Windham ski areas, Kaaterskill Falls which is the highest cascading falls in New York State, and the Catskill Game Farm which is one of the oldest game farms in the U.S.
Sullivan County
Overflowing with lakes, seemingly limitless forests and profound valleys, Sullivan County offers some of the world's best trout fishing.
It is the southernmost corner of the region and is the closest to New York City. The Delaware River snakes through the western half of the county. Sullivan County is where the Woodstock Music Festival was held in the Town of Bethel, 1969.
Ulster County
The scenic Hudson River cut through Catskill Mountains while the Shawangunk Mountains and glacial lakes nearly overshadow the horizon. Twelve wineries are spread throughout the Shawangunk ridges.
Allegany State Parks
Allegany State Park's 65,000 acres is known for its primitive forested valleys, fall leaves and wildlife and have 424 campsites, 375 cabins and three group camps available for rental.
Red House and Quaker make this the largest state park in the system. Both areas offer sand beaches, picnic areas, museums, hiking trails and naturalist walks.
The Art Roscoe Ski Touring Area has some of the finest cross country skiing and mountain bike trails in the Northeast and 5 miles of paved trails around Red House are great for walkers and bicycle riders.
Snowmobilers are attracted to Allegany State Park for its 90 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and over 150 winterized cabins.
Other activities include bird watching, picnicking, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, canoeing, and horseback riding.
New York is far too vast an area to cover in on article. I suggest that you take some time and go see what it has to offer. You won't regret it!