Few other states offer the vast number of geological points of interest as New York
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Adirondacks
• High Falls Gorge — The hike to see the four waterfalls at High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid is easy for all ages, from young kids through grandparents. The half-mile, round trip hike includes gravel and decking and takes about 45 minutes. There is also a separate nature trail. Two glass platforms over the Ausable River offer a unique view. Bring along a lunch to enjoy at the Woodlands Picnic Area.
• Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, Pottersville — Guests can dig into geology in lots of ways, including popping geodes in the Rock Shop, traversing the free Cavekid Bouldering Wall, hiking the ¾-mile Cave Trail, watching educational programming in the History Hut and hiking the three- to four-hour Adventure Tour. The tour includes crawling through tight passes in the caves that open up to larger areas including through an underground waterfall. Don’t forget the gift shop, which offers numerous unique gifts.
https://stonebridgeandcaves.com
• Ausable Chasm in Ausable Chasm includes numerous geological attractions. Stone walkways, rock formations, gorges and waterfalls await hikers of Ausable’s five miles of trails. You can also explore the park via the raft and float tour, rappelling or rock climbing.
Capital Region
• Howe Caverns in Howes Cave also offers caving adventures. The 90-minute traditional tour is an easy-to-traverse, guided group tour for all ages. Signature Rock Discovery Tour lasts 2.5 hours and explores parts of the caverns that had been closed to the public for a century. There’s also the Lantern Tour, Family Tour, Group Tour and escape room.
• Secret Caverns in Cobleskill, not far from Howes Cave, presents a more rustic caving group caving experience that includes a 100-foot underground waterfall. The site includes retro folk art signs and an eclectic gift shop.
Central New York
• Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer have drawn generations to mine for (faux) Herkimer “diamonds” and gemstones. Guests can also look for sparkling stones through sluice mining and create custom glittering jewelry on-site at the Artisan Center. Check the website for a variety of experiences available.
• Pratt’s Falls County Park in Pompey boast six miles of hiking trails that lead to a 137-foot waterfall that goes down a limestone gorge. Bring along a picnic to enjoy the views.
https://onondagacountyparks.com/parks/pratts-falls-park
• Clark Reservation State Park in Jamesville presents rocky features and cliffs, along with forests and meadows and meromictic lake, where the water on the surface and base do not mix. Among the five hiking trails, don’t miss the cliff trail, which overlooks a 175 foot cliff above the lake.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/clark-reservation-state-park
• Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia offers more than eight miles of hiking trails that contrast between a lush forest and an open gorge with unusual geological formations and five waterfalls. Select from among several picnic areas for lunch.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/fillmore-glen-state-park
• Chimney Bluffs in Wolcott offers four miles of woodland hiking trails, and Lake Ontario shoreline, where visitors can view the rocky spires that make the park famous. At the west entrance, picnic tables overlook the lake. At the east entrance, you can access the shoreline.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/chimney-bluffs-state-park
Western New York
• Letchworth State Park in Castile is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” for its sizable gorge, where the Genesee River flows. View three major waterfalls, hike 66 trails and participate in educational programming.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/letchworth-state-park
Southern Tier
• Watkins Glen State Park in Watkins Glen has become renowned for its plunging gorges, vibrant forest and 19 waterfalls. Take them all in on the park’s five miles of trails. The park also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool and picnic facilities.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/watkins-glen-state-park