@@MrGlenspaceit’s bigger than all the lower 48 National parks combined and only slightly smaller than Denali in Alaska. But Adirondack park, isn’t a park per se, since it contains many little parks that you seem to like.
The Adirondack Park and Catskill Park are not under the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Rather, these two huge areas are under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The priorities of these two agencies, and accordingly, the regulations of each agency may appear similar, but are in many ways distinctly different: Recreation in the individual State Parks vs. Conservation over vast land areas within the sensitive ecosystems in the mountains, similar to other DEC regulated land areas. Perhaps more easily understood if you compare our National Parks to our National Forests.
Filmore Glenn. It's like Watkins Glenn bur smaller and arguably more beautiful. The George trail has a section you can actually dip your head under one of the waterfalls. If you haven't been there you're missing out. It's notably well kept and very beautiful for camping as well. I believe mostly tent sites but a few electric as well for campers.
I also think the Adirondacks provide the largest amount of excellent wilderness recreation areas. Go a short distance of the beaten path and you are in unspoiled wilderness. And it has real mountains. 40 mountains over 4000 feet. The area is full wildlife. The Adirondacks are full of lakes, ponds, and rivers. Finally, it covers 4.8 million acres. It is more than a place to have a picnic.
Fort Niagara is my sentimental favorite, due to it being an annual visit in the fall when I was very young. I would put Niagara Falls at number 1. It stands alone in scenic splendor!
I used to live within walking distance of Lucifer Falls in Treman State Park. It really is an incredible place, as is the whole area around Ithaca and nearby Watkins Glen. People (especially people who have lived in New York City their entire lives) are often amazed at learning that there is so much more to New York than just New York City.
I have to agree Watkins Glenn is the best. I've been twice. The problem is it gets very crowded during the summer. Visit just before July 4th. Weather is usually reliable and you can take a bus up to the top entrance of the park and effectively walk down the gorge vs walk up.
I grew up 16 miles from Letchworth and it certainly holds a special place for me. But my overall personal favorite, which you didn't mention, is actually not too far from Letchworth and can be done in combination with Letchworth. Stony Brook State Park is only about a 25 minute drive from either the Portageville or Mt. Morris entrances of Letchworth and is rather compact itself. But it has a great walking trail along the creek combined with a gorge, as well as a fairly stunning waterfall
I’m happy you gave attention to Tremaine as I just recently discovered it and was awestruck by how geometric the canyon is. It looks almost like it was made in Minecraft
i camped at robert treman, letchworth, & went to buttermilk falls last summer. they were all gorgeous. i had a blast. i got a cabin at letchworth & did the water tubing down the river. i'm retired & determined to make up for lost time. i've been many places in the military, but now it's time to enjoy & explore the outdoors. i'm camping at watkins glen in a few weeks. i did the gorge explore last year, this year i'll hike there, & the other ones i didn't last summer. it is soul refreshing. i'll have to check out the applachians in the next year or two. new york is a beautiful state. the wpa guys did a spectacular job on the stairs & walls.
Love your picks, also check out Stony Brook State Park, it’s not too far from Letchworth. It’s more intimate and strikingly beautiful like Watkins Glen. More tourists go to Letchworth and the locals go to Stony Brook.
We really like Whirlpool State Park because up above it offers beautiful trails and relaxing view of the rapids and whirlpool after Niagara Falls, and you can hike down and hang out along the class 6 rapids. The entire Niagara gorge park system is linked so you can easily bike or walk from Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State park and beyond. Best of all, they removed the Robert Moses Parkway, so it is just a multi-use trail. Underappreciated in my view.
Good list. I have been to all three of the top 3 and I can’t disagree with any of them. Filmore Glen should make the honorable mention list. It is similar to Watkins Glen.
The Seneca Army Depot is also famous for its white deer. They are not albino, but are white from a recessive gene. Since they are in a protected area (a former base) there was no hunting allowed and they flourished.
I live in Elmira NY and love going up to Watkins Glen, but the locals like to go to nearby Havana Glen to avoid the tourists. Not nearly as grand as Watkins Glen, but beautiful nonetheless!
Love that area! Born in Elmira (St. Josephs) and lived in the Corning/Elmira area until high school. Such a beautiful state. Walked the Glen just a few years ago - bottom to top and back again.
im from elmira n i havent been to havana since i was a kid. mom didnt care for it. i love the wg gorge. out here in williamsport we have waterfalls around here that are apart of pa game lands n state forests, totally diff than ny.
@@MissRailfan- I was born in Elmira and spent most of my young life in Big Flats and Caton. Lots of small waterfalls down the road from our house. Use to ride my bike to them on summer days and go swimming...
@@Snarkapotamus small world, my younger cuz, aunt n uncle used to live on sagetown road near Caton. I lived in Elmira, Corning by Corning building centre, fisherville, our house was torn down for the Dandy. My cuz whom I mentioned, her grandparents lived in the White House that was across the rd, last i knew when I drove by last month that house was gone too. I lived in breesport, wellsburg off 14 and in ridgebury/Bentley creek.
@@MissRailfan- We lived off Tannery Creek on a dirt road. My brother and I went to Northside Blodgett for junior high and my sister went to CFA and graduated from Corning West in 1972. The same year the town was flooded by Hurricane Agnes. I remembering watching them pick people off rooftops along Market street from the roof of the hospital. God, I'm getting old...
I live about 15 miles from Watkins glen, I do go to that park a lot except during peak season, to crowded, my favorite is Letchworth, you can walk so many trails and hardly ever see anyone. Its just over an hour from me. I go all the time. (Actually going tomorrow) Probably go there least 3-4 times a month during the summer, even go once in awhile in the winter, but most of the trails are closed in the winter.
Thanks for this great video! if I might suggest: it would be helpful if you circled to indicate more often on the maps the area you are referring to. Though by pausing the video and spending time to read the labels, I can usually find the area you are talking about. In one of the parks (Minnewaska) you circled it in red and it was instantly clear, of course. Thanks again!
As a personn who lives on Long Island, I approve that it only made honorable mention. Surprised it even made it that far with all the amazing places. Jones beach is literally that… a beach and we got them all over the island
Shirley Chisholm State Park is a new State Park on the Brooklyn / Queens border! Highlights of this park is scenic views of Jamaica Bay, fishing and kayaking in Jamaica Bay, fantastic walking trails and large variety of wild life, considering the park is surrounded by metro NYC! Living in Brooklyn, a trip out to SCSP can be cathartic to the hustle and bustle of metro living.
@@justherb666 no it’s actually the largest state park in the United States. Also it’s not privately owned. In fact, it’s literally written in the NY state constitution that the area is to be forever wild.
@@danielkosciuszko9788 Just mentioned in other comments that The Adirondack Park and Catskill Park are under NYS DEC rather then The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Similar to the difference between National Parks and National Forests.
There's an Echo Lake State Park in New Hampshire. Google Maps lists and Echo Lake State Park in New York, but it's wrong. There's no state park there, just the small source for the Pocantico River. It also lists a small pond near Saugerties.
I would have to disagree with Anthony’s nose being easy to climb. It’s practically an all day event and you need to bring water and be prepared. It’s steep
Fun fact: Robert Moses, who built a lot of parks on long island, created the parkways that connected them. He puposely built the over passes too low for busses to go under. He knew that letting buses into the parks, would bring undesirable people. Now that some of the overpasses have been raised, the parks have turned to CRAP. So je was RIGHT In the 60s Jones Beaxh was amazinag place! Super clean and many activities. All the employees wore white sailor uniforms. Great time to grow up there. Now its ruined by the very classless people that now go there
Hmm I'm not sure that's right. I've never heard that Shawangunk pronunciation - are you sure you're not hearing an elided M from the following word? I've also heard just "The Shawangunks" many times. Your Appalachian pronunciation is common in the northeast, but the majority of people who live there use my pronunciation. Thanks for watching though and all the recent comments!
@ExploretheNortheast as a life long local, I can assure you that's how it's pronounced. As well as all people in the Northeast pronounce it the Apple-Lay-chian Mountains. People in the South pronounce it the other way. Great video though.
Devils hole hike is prolly the best part other than that Niagara overrated for the park n the city’s trash too lol. It’s way better hikes all over ny imo
Allegany state park and Lechworth will always be my favorites.
I cant believe you didnt include the Adirondack Park. It's absolutely beautiful there.
He gave it honorable mention but it deserves better than that. It is bigger then Yosemite and Yellowstone combined.
@@MrGlenspaceit’s bigger than all the lower 48 National parks combined and only slightly smaller than Denali in Alaska. But Adirondack park, isn’t a park per se, since it contains many little parks that you seem to like.
The Adirondack Park and Catskill Park are not under the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Rather, these two huge areas are under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The priorities of these two agencies, and accordingly, the regulations of each agency may appear similar, but are in many ways distinctly different: Recreation in the individual State Parks vs. Conservation over vast land areas within the sensitive ecosystems in the mountains, similar to other DEC regulated land areas. Perhaps more easily understood if you compare our National Parks to our National Forests.
Robert Moses State Park - Long Island
Filmore Glenn. It's like Watkins Glenn bur smaller and arguably more beautiful. The George trail has a section you can actually dip your head under one of the waterfalls. If you haven't been there you're missing out. It's notably well kept and very beautiful for camping as well. I believe mostly tent sites but a few electric as well for campers.
I also think the Adirondacks provide the largest amount of excellent wilderness recreation areas. Go a short distance of the beaten path and you are in unspoiled wilderness. And it has real mountains. 40 mountains over 4000 feet. The area is full wildlife. The Adirondacks are full of lakes, ponds, and rivers. Finally, it covers 4.8 million acres. It is more than a place to have a picnic.
Fort Niagara is my sentimental favorite, due to it being an annual visit in the fall when I was very young. I would put Niagara Falls at number 1. It stands alone in scenic splendor!
I used to live within walking distance of Lucifer Falls in Treman State Park. It really is an incredible place, as is the whole area around Ithaca and nearby Watkins Glen. People (especially people who have lived in New York City their entire lives) are often amazed at learning that there is so much more to New York than just New York City.
I have to agree Watkins Glenn is the best. I've been twice. The problem is it gets very crowded during the summer. Visit just before July 4th. Weather is usually reliable and you can take a bus up to the top entrance of the park and effectively walk down the gorge vs walk up.
I grew up 16 miles from Letchworth and it certainly holds a special place for me. But my overall personal favorite, which you didn't mention, is actually not too far from Letchworth and can be done in combination with Letchworth. Stony Brook State Park is only about a 25 minute drive from either the Portageville or Mt. Morris entrances of Letchworth and is rather compact itself. But it has a great walking trail along the creek combined with a gorge, as well as a fairly stunning waterfall
I’m happy you gave attention to Tremaine as I just recently discovered it and was awestruck by how geometric the canyon is. It looks almost like it was made in Minecraft
We have yet to go to Robert Moses or Montauk. It was interesting to watch another channel’s take on the State Parks in our beautiful state.
Nice I live in watkins so happy you enjoy it
im from elmira, and i tell everyone i know about my home area.
Boldt Castle is gorgeous!
i camped at robert treman, letchworth, & went to buttermilk falls last summer. they were all gorgeous. i had a blast. i got a cabin at letchworth & did the water tubing down the river. i'm retired & determined to make up for lost time. i've been many places in the military, but now it's time to enjoy & explore the outdoors. i'm camping at watkins glen in a few weeks. i did the gorge explore last year, this year i'll hike there, & the other ones i didn't last summer. it is soul refreshing. i'll have to check out the applachians in the next year or two. new york is a beautiful state. the wpa guys did a spectacular job on the stairs & walls.
Adirondack state park needed to be in top 10 in my opinion.
Love your selections of the top ten. Really enjoyed the highlights. Thanks for sharing. Your new friend ❤❤
Love your picks, also check out Stony Brook State Park, it’s not too far from Letchworth. It’s more intimate and strikingly beautiful like Watkins Glen. More tourists go to Letchworth and the locals go to Stony Brook.
We really like Whirlpool State Park because up above it offers beautiful trails and relaxing view of the rapids and whirlpool after Niagara Falls, and you can hike down and hang out along the class 6 rapids. The entire Niagara gorge park system is linked so you can easily bike or walk from Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State park and beyond. Best of all, they removed the Robert Moses Parkway, so it is just a multi-use trail. Underappreciated in my view.
Good list. I have been to all three of the top 3 and I can’t disagree with any of them. Filmore Glen should make the honorable mention list. It is similar to Watkins Glen.
The Seneca Army Depot is also famous for its white deer. They are not albino, but are white from a recessive gene. Since they are in a protected area (a former base) there was no hunting allowed and they flourished.
Adirondacks simply HAS to be #1... But otherwise, a good list. Cheers!
I live in Elmira NY and love going up to Watkins Glen, but the locals like to go to nearby Havana Glen to avoid the tourists. Not nearly as grand as Watkins Glen, but beautiful nonetheless!
Love that area! Born in Elmira (St. Josephs) and lived in the Corning/Elmira area until high school. Such a beautiful state. Walked the Glen just a few years ago - bottom to top and back again.
im from elmira n i havent been to havana since i was a kid. mom didnt care for it. i love the wg gorge. out here in williamsport we have waterfalls around here that are apart of pa game lands n state forests, totally diff than ny.
@@MissRailfan- I was born in Elmira and spent most of my young life in Big Flats and Caton. Lots of small waterfalls down the road from our house. Use to ride my bike to them on summer days and go swimming...
@@Snarkapotamus small world, my younger cuz, aunt n uncle used to live on sagetown road near Caton. I lived in Elmira, Corning by Corning building centre, fisherville, our house was torn down for the Dandy. My cuz whom I mentioned, her grandparents lived in the White House that was across the rd, last i knew when I drove by last month that house was gone too. I lived in breesport, wellsburg off 14 and in ridgebury/Bentley creek.
@@MissRailfan- We lived off Tannery Creek on a dirt road. My brother and I went to Northside Blodgett for junior high and my sister went to CFA and graduated from Corning West in 1972. The same year the town was flooded by Hurricane Agnes. I remembering watching them pick people off rooftops along Market street from the roof of the hospital. God, I'm getting old...
I grew up in Watkins Glen and I agree its the best park in the state. Letchworth, the ithaca ones and niagara falls are close seconds.
Great video!!
No one mentions Fair Haven State Park. Have you ever been there?
I live about 15 miles from Watkins glen, I do go to that park a lot except during peak season, to crowded, my favorite is Letchworth, you can walk so many trails and hardly ever see anyone. Its just over an hour from me. I go all the time. (Actually going tomorrow) Probably go there least 3-4 times a month during the summer, even go once in awhile in the winter, but most of the trails are closed in the winter.
Thanks for this great video! if I might suggest: it would be helpful if you circled to indicate more often on the maps the area you are referring to. Though by pausing the video and spending time to read the labels, I can usually find the area you are talking about. In one of the parks (Minnewaska) you circled it in red and it was instantly clear, of course. Thanks again!
Ever thought of Robert Moses as being part of the 1000 Islands. But that park is fascinating because of the Seaway. The 1000 islands are an hour away.
Amazing video thank u
As a person who has worked and is back working at Jones Beach, I wish it had gotten more than an honorable mention
As a personn who lives on Long Island, I approve that it only made honorable mention. Surprised it even made it that far with all the amazing places. Jones beach is literally that… a beach and we got them all over the island
A list of top ten New York State parks and the six million plus acres of the Adirondacks only gets an honorable mention. That is some messed up logic.
I like Dtony Brook Falls.
Shirley Chisholm State Park is a new State Park on the Brooklyn / Queens border! Highlights of this park is scenic views of Jamaica Bay, fishing and kayaking in Jamaica Bay, fantastic walking trails and large variety of wild life, considering the park is surrounded by metro NYC! Living in Brooklyn, a trip out to SCSP can be cathartic to the hustle and bustle of metro living.
We did not like Sampson State Park, not enough trees, felt I was camping on a golf course.
Not having Adirondack Park as #1 is disappointing. It is larger than most national parks and is the only park to be protected by a state constitution.
I’m interested in the good fishing spots here in New York State where you can fish from land..
Wakin glen is my favorite
Absolutely criminal that Adirondacks isn’t at least top 3
Have you ever been the high peaks in the Adirondack? I’m surprised you didn’t choose that as number 1
I wondered the same thing, but I think technically it's not a State Park but a National Historic Landmark and is largely privately owned.
@@justherb666 no it’s actually the largest state park in the United States. Also it’s not privately owned. In fact, it’s literally written in the NY state constitution that the area is to be forever wild.
We love camping at Buck Pond ...
I live in the Adirondacks and much of it is privately owned. But we live under suffocating land use restrictions. @@danielkosciuszko9788
@@danielkosciuszko9788 Just mentioned in other comments that The Adirondack Park and Catskill Park are under NYS DEC rather then The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Similar to the difference between National Parks and National Forests.
I get why it wasn’t, but I’m still kind of disappointed that Peebles Island wasn’t on the list.
Back in ~1952/ I was 4 yo and ph parents took me to Echo lake. Do you have info on this place?
There's an Echo Lake State Park in New Hampshire. Google Maps lists and Echo Lake State Park in New York, but it's wrong. There's no state park there, just the small source for the Pocantico River. It also lists a small pond near Saugerties.
god. why the hate for syracuse? did you go to any other parts of the park? non interesting? seriously. did some girl from fayetteville dump you?
Syracuse is a dump.
a real hot take Larry. lol @@larryrivers1471
Crazy Idea: How about a tunnel through the pacific ocean from UK to USA?
Most underrated: Sonyea State Forest
Lovely place, but NYS DEC rather than State Parks.
I would have to disagree with Anthony’s nose being easy to climb. It’s practically an all day event and you need to bring water and be prepared. It’s steep
The highlight of any Super Bowl is the snacks :)
Not a fan of Letchworth. You are up high and see the falls from a distance.
Are you sure it's "more unique" and not "uniquer"? The OED is unclear.
Fun fact: Robert Moses, who built a lot of parks on long island, created the parkways that connected them. He puposely built the over passes too low for busses to go under. He knew that letting buses into the parks, would bring undesirable people. Now that some of the overpasses have been raised, the parks have turned to CRAP. So je was RIGHT
In the 60s Jones Beaxh was amazinag place! Super clean and many activities. All the employees wore white sailor uniforms. Great time to grow up there. Now its ruined by the very classless people that now go there
Great video, but it's pronounced Shon-gum Mountains in the Appal-LAY-chian Mountains.
Hmm I'm not sure that's right. I've never heard that Shawangunk pronunciation - are you sure you're not hearing an elided M from the following word? I've also heard just "The Shawangunks" many times. Your Appalachian pronunciation is common in the northeast, but the majority of people who live there use my pronunciation. Thanks for watching though and all the recent comments!
@@ExploretheNortheast I'm used to often hearing "The Gunks" mostly lol (locally) Never heard "Shon-gum". Often heard Shawangunks, of course.
@ExploretheNortheast as a life long local, I can assure you that's how it's pronounced. As well as all people in the Northeast pronounce it the Apple-Lay-chian Mountains. People in the South pronounce it the other way. Great video though.
lol i love how these lists are always so biased
you really put Saratoga spa in the honorable mentions? You actually have to be lying lmao
Niagara Falls is the real #1 IMO You didn't even touch upon Devil's Hole, the hydroelectric plant, and other wonders.
You cant camp there so its a half day thing .
Devils hole hike is prolly the best part other than that Niagara overrated for the park n the city’s trash too lol. It’s way better hikes all over ny imo
Ithaca’s prolly my top 5 places to go ngl
Nice I live in watkins so happy you enjoy it
My favorite is Watkins Glen. Honorable mentions for me are Chittenanago Falls, Walkway Over the Hudson, and Fillmore Glen.