The Genesee Valley Greenway State Park is a 90-mile open space corridor that follows the route of the Genesee Valley Canal (1840-1878) and the Pennsylvania Railroad Rochester Branch (1882-1963) from the Erie Canalway Trail in Rochester's Genesee Valley Park to the Village of Cuba in Allegany County. The Greenway will eventually extend to Hinsdale in Cattaraugus County.

It includes a public, multi-use trail and natural and historic resources. The majority of the trail is an old railway bed that is a straight, level surface consisting of cinders, gravel and mowed grass. The Greenway passes through woodlands, wetlands, river and stream valleys, rolling farmlands, steep gorges, and historic villages in sixteen towns located in Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties.

Like other abandoned towpaths and rail beds across the country, the Genesee Valley Greenway provides opportunities for public recreation, an off-road link to communities, parks, other trails, attractions in the region and preservation of open space and the natural and cultural resources in the corridor. The GVG connects to the Genesee River Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, Erie Canal Recreation Way, the  Erie Attica Trail and the Lehigh Valley Trail.

Genesee Valley Greenway State Park

The Red House Area is known for the historic tudor-style Administration Building and everything centrally located around the Red House Lake. It offers 5 miles of paved bike paths, boat and bike rentals, a sandy beach for swimming, fishing and snowmobiling. Feel free to exercise by walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, playing softball, tennis, horse shoes or even a game of volleyball. The Administration Building features a natural history museum, regional headquarters and a gift shop. Thunder Rocks is an impressive bedrock city that allows for the nature lover to see the hidden beauty that this park is known for. The Stone Tower structure shows vistas of the rolling hills of mature forests. The many beaver ponds are a good place to observe the diversity of wildlife located in the park.

Campers are offered anything from a weekend retreat to an extended vacation with a total of 125 campsites, 144 cabins, 128 of them winterized and two group camps for rent. The Pitt Cottage is Allegany's vacation rental. Reminiscent of a classic hunting lodge, the cottage offers the same amenities as the Fancher Cottages in the Quaker Area. Located on Allegany State Park Rte. 2, the cottage is adjacent to Congdon Trail and three miles from the Administration Building. Please note: Pitt Cottage is not accessible.

Allegany State Park - Red House Area

The Quaker area is known for its two lakes and wonderful camping experiences. It offers a sandy beach for swimming, two fishing piers and a canoeing or kayaking access point. Friend's Boat Launch makes the Allegany Reservoir available to the boating enthusiasts. The many hiking trails give opportunities to explore the naturally formed caves, plus the diversity of plants and wildlife. Many come to relax with the programs offered at the Quaker amphitheater, by picnicking, or just letting the children spend time on the playground. If you enjoy sports, you can use our horse shoe pits, baseball fields, basketball, volley ball or tennis courts. The old Quaker store has been completely restored and now houses a park museum. Interesting exhibits document the history of Allegany State Park as "The wilderness Playground of Western New York," and orient visitors to the parks unique features and attractions, both past and present. Allegany's mixed hemlock /hardwood forest, mountains, rolling hills and meadows, streams, ponds and lakes attract devoted outdoors enthusiasts year-round.

The two campgrounds and 20 cabin trails offer a total of 189 campsites and 230 cabins, 30 of them winterized and one group camp for rental. The Quaker area also has vacation rental cottages. The seven Fancher Cottages are located in the southern part of the Allegany State park, adjacent to Quaker Run Creek and offer guests a unique camping experience. Named for Senator Albert T. Fancher, the "Father of Allegany State Park," each Fancher Cottage (located in the historic Quaker Area of the park) has a bathroom with shower, refrigerator, counter-top range and microwave. The fully accessible cottages sleep six, are furnished and stocked with pillows, bedding, cooking utensils, dishes and coffeemakers. In addition, each cottage has a grill and picnic table outside.

Allegany State Park - Quaker Area

Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests. Hikers can choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a pool for swimming and hot air ballooning. Experiencing Letchworth by hot air balloon is unforgettable, as seen in this video clip.

Winter activities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The historic completely restored Glen Iris Inn offers overnight accommodations and is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Banquet and catering services are available for your special events.

The Humphrey Nature Center offers year-round environmental education opportunities for school groups, scouts, youth organizations, and the general public. Programming and interactive exhibits highlight the geology, wildlife, and ecology of the park.

In 2015, Letchworth won the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Award for Best State Park in the United States! Letchworth came out on top of the 19 other state parks nominated for the contest, chosen from more than 6,000 parks across the nation.

For professional and organizational retreats, educational and training needs can be met at the Conference Center. Located in a secluded area at the southwest portion of Letchworth State Park, the facility consists of a spacious country lodge room, bedrooms, bathrooms with showers and a kitchen. This unique historic structure is designed to accommodate the needs of low impact professional and organizational groups for education, training and retreat purposes. It can be rented for the day and/or overnight use. It is the perfect place for your next business retreat. This facility is not designed for overnight family camping, although, some family type rentals may be permitted. Call the Park Office to be sure if this or another site will best suit your needs. For family type vacation rental experiences, the Maplewood Lodge and Parker's Hideaway can be rented. Maplewood Lodge is located in the middle of Letchworth State Park at the entrance to the Highbanks Camping Area. For winter use, it is ideal for snowmobilers as it connects to the NYS snowmobile trail system. The facility sleeps up to eight people and consists of a furnished kitchen, living room with a working fireplace, TV and DVD/BluRay player, a formal dining room and a full-size bath with a shower on the first floor. There are two bedrooms and a powder room upstairs and one small bedroom on the first floor. Linens are not provided.

Parker's Hideaway is a new rental to the park and sleeps six people. The former Civilian Conservation Corps built building located just North of the "C" Cabin Area, on the North end of the park. It has been newly renovated to include new furniture and kitchen amenities. It is also perfect for snowmobilers as it also connects to the NYS Snowmobile trail system. It has a working gas fired fireplace, televisions in the living room and master bed room, and a breakfast nook. Linens are not provided. This two bedroom and two bath facility is the perfect place to get away from it all.

Campers can take advantage of tent and trailer campsites as well as winterized cabins. Group camping facilities are also available.

Letchworth State Park

Silver Lake State Park provides a boat launch facility for boating and fishing on the lake. The area also has picnic facilities and a comfort station which is open year round.  The upland section of the park is available for hunting in season by permit.

Silver Lake State Park Hunting Applications and Map 

Pavilion Information
Silver Lake has one pavilion. The day use price is $50 and can accommodate up to 56 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com

Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Silver Lake State Park

Stony Brook State Park features a rugged gorge in the rolling hills of Western New York. You can enjoy the park's rich scenery while camping, picnicking, swimming or hiking.

The North Entrance for day use visitors features a picnic area with tables, grills, restrooms, playground, natural stream-fed pool, and entrance to the hiking trails. The park offers a variety of play fields that include: Playgrounds, Tennis Court, Baseball Field, Volleyball Court, and Basketball.

Hikers can choose among 3 hiking trails which are all about 1 mile long with quite a bit of stairs making them moderately difficult. The park's beautiful gorge trail begins at our stream-fed pool in the North Entrance and passes by 3 major waterfalls. We recommend the Gorge Trail as the easiest and most scenic. The Rim Trails climb the towering cliffs through the woodlands that overlook waterfalls and fascinating rock formations. Due to the nature of our trails they are not accessible to wheelchairs, medical walkers, or strollers.

88 campsites, 1 group campsite, and 8 rustic cabins are scattered in the woodlands above the gorge in the South Entrance to the park. The campground does not offer electric or water on campsites or in the cabins, but there are comfort stations in each loop and a dump station.

The park offers 2 rentable picnic shelters that are perfect for hosting a family reunion, birthday party, graduation, or BBQ. The Clara Barton Shelter is located at the North Entrance in the center of the picnic area. The Shawmut Shelter is located at the South Entrance off the main Campground parking lot.

During the winter season, most areas of the park are closed to the public including the South Entrance, playgrounds, playfields, and all hiking trails. These areas remain closed until the following spring after cleanup and safety inspections are complete. The North Entrance is open year round and visitors may enjoy walking through the picnic area.

Stony Brook State Park

Knox Farm State Park is the former country estate of Buffalo's renowned Knox Family. It is located adjacent to the historic village of East Aurora, birthplace of the Roycroft Arts & Crafts movement and former home of Millard Fillmore. The park's 633 acres are comprised of a variety of habitats, including 400 acres of grasslands (pastures and hayfields), and 100 acres of woodlands, ponds and several wetland areas.

Visitors to Knox Farm can observe wildlife, hike, cross-country ski and ride horseback along beautifully scenic nature trails. Nature walks are also offered through a partnership with New York Audubon and the Buffalo Audubon Society, as well as programs offered by state park naturalists.  The Knox Farm Visitor Center contains exhibits of historic and natural interest.  Biking is allowed in designated areas and horseback riding and driving by permit only.

For Equestrian Permits, please fill out the form found under "Documents" below. For filming and other special use permit information, please contact andrew.hillman@parks.ny.gov

The Native Landscape Resource Center is located at Knox Farm State Park. The first of its kind for New York State Parks, the NLRC is a native plant nursery growing plants for habitat restoration, landscaping and gardening purposes. These plants are utilized to help the Western District of NYS Parks adhere to the directives outlined in Parks' Native Plant Policy. Trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses are primarily propagated from locally collected seed to preserve and enhance genetic variability within each species.

Genesee Valley Greenway State Park Maps

Cuba, NY

Genesee Valley Greenway State Park Description

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