Visitor's Guide to Upstate New York State Forests

According to the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation over 60% of New York State is comprised of forest areas. Some of these areas are protected preserves, while others are simply natural areas with no protection extended to them. With so many lovely forests, it can be difficult to determine which you would most like to visit.

Personally a big fan of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, one of my favorite forest areas in upstate New York is in that region. The Finger Lakes National Forest of Seneca Falls is a great place for hunting, fishing, camping and swimming. At over 16,000 acres and containing 30 miles of trails, there's no end to the fun you can have in Finger Lakes National Forest. This is the only national forest of New York and offers one of the rarities of this century: free camping. Horseback riding, hiking, camping and swimming are coupled with blueberry picking and snowmobiling. The sites, including beautiful lakes and small waterfalls, are some of the most beautiful in upstate New York. Note, though, that cars cannot pass across many of the roads in the deep winter months, and camping not generally recommended in the coldest months. Finger Lakes National Forest contains quite a lot of old growth trees and foliage that shouldn't be missed.

Adirondack Park is composed of two full counties and portions of many others, according to Wikipedia. This park is neither totally government nor privately owned, but contains pieces of both. Although much smaller than Finger Lakes National Forest, Adirondack Park contains one of my favorite spots in all of upstate New York: Lake George. The beautiful areas in the narrows of this lake are truly not to be missed, and consist of camping, hiking, hunting and nearby shopping. One drawback is the tourism of this area, which can make for very busy and costly weekends. For instance, camping "tickets" are available via TicketMaster. The opportunities for excitement, though, are much higher than at the typical forest, making this a great opportunity to bring your kids on a natural vacation without leaving the comforts of civilization behind. As you cruise across the lake, you can readily see the hills and landscapes that prevail in this part of the country. The lush forests in this area are truly a sight to behold, and one can easily spend many days exploring.

A third good option, particularly if you are on holiday from New York City, is Bear Mountain. A beautiful forest not far from the bustle of the city, Bear Mountain is near Hudson River and provides some of the best hiking trails in that area. There is also white water rafting, but it is for the hiking trails that Bear Mountain really shines. Many of the universities provide hiking excursions into the heart of Bear Mountain on a regular basis precisely because of this. There's a small museum here that provides some background information into the Bear Mountain and the nearby inn, as well as a beautiful merry-go-round.

Whether you are looking for an active adventure or merely a beautiful picnic spot, upstate New York has many lovely forests to offer. These are only three of many, all of which are well worth exploring.