@Larry Tetamore Photography
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No visit to LivCo is complete without a stop at Letchworth State Park. Named the top state park in the country by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Letchworth is one of the most majestic natural wonders in the eastern United States. The Park stretches for 17 miles, covering over 14,000 acres of land in Livingston County and neighboring Wyoming County. Discover a hidden natural world along 66 miles of hiking trails, or explore the park on horseback or bike. If you’re looking for adventure, you can drop down into the canyon for whitewater rafting or get up and away in a hot air balloon. Plus the Recreation Center at Lower Falls in Letchworth has fun for all ages, including table games, badminton, and pickleball.
While you're visiting, the Humphrey Nature Center is a must-stop for families traveling through the park, open year-round with interactive exhibits that highlight the plants, animals, geology, and ecology of the park. The Nature Center has an outdoor classroom, butterfly garden, bird observation station, solar panels, and a rainwater cistern. Park visitors can explore one of the several trailheads leading away from the center, including Trout Pond, Inspiration Point Overlook, and the new Autism Nature Trail.
The Genesee Valley Greenway runs north to south from Rochester through the Genesee River Valley and into Allegany County along old canals, abandoned rail beds, and riverbanks. This 90-mile trail passes through scenic woodlands, river and stream valleys, farmlands, steep gorges, and historic villages. During the springtime, enjoy hiking and biking (and bring your pup along!). While exploring, discover other popular trails connected to the Greenway including the Genesee River Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, Erie Canal Recreation Way, and the Erie Attica Trail.
A hidden gem of the Genesee River Valley, Stony Brook State Park comprises of hilly woodlands, a deep gorge with rugged cliffs overlooking three waterfalls, and fascinating rock formations. Visitors can enjoy camping, swimming in the gorge pool (when the temperature is right!), and hiking. Bring some goodies to the picnic area, where you'll find plenty of tables and charcoal grills. Looking for some light recreation? Bring your glove and ball to toss around the baseball diamond or your racket to swing on the tennis court. You'll also find comfort stations and a concession stand, both open seasonally. And if one day at Stony Brook just isn’t enough the campground offers 125 tent and trailer sites plus eight cabins available for rent.
Explore 6,684 acres of state forest featuring the two beautiful Finger Lakes of Hemlock and Canadice as well as 14 miles of hiking trails. Explore one of the many hiking trails including Bur Oak Trail, located north of Hemlock Lake, Willow Oak Trail, which loops near Reynolds Gully waterfall, or Walnut Trail, where you'll find the ruins of former homes that once were on Hemlock Lake. Love biking? Try out Northern Hemlock Lake Trail, a popular biking option that follows an old road about three miles on the eastern shore of Hemlock Lake.
The 1,303-acre Ossian State Forest offers a rustic experience with a limited amount of development. This forest shares a long common boundary with Rattlesnake Hill State Wildlife Management Area and also has a common boundary with a parcel of Allegany County forest lands. If you're looking for specialty recreation, explore this state forest for mountain biking and horseback riding. Outdoorsmen and women from across New York State also flock to Ossian year-round for its exquisite wildlife watching and unbeatable hunting.
Located in Linwood, New York, Linwood Gardens is a privately-owned garden in the farmlands of the Genesee River Valley. Open to the public for special festivals and events, the original garden landscape was designed in the early 1900s, with an Arts and Crafts style summerhouse, walled gardens with pools and fountains, ornamental trees, and a view of the valley beyond. The gardens include a distinguished collection of Japanese and American tree peonies featured each spring at the Tree Peony Festival.