Lake Erie State Park (nysparks.com), in Brocton, is situated on high bluffs that have panoramic views of Lake Erie. The park, which is home to rare migratory birds, has picnic areas and hiking trails. Hamlin Beach State Park (nysparks.com), in Hamlin, has clean water, sandy beaches and more than 200 campsites. The park's Yanty Creek Marsh area has a mile-long, self-guided nature trail. Hamlin Beach has another 10 miles of hiking and biking trails as well as launches for fishing boats.
Letchworth State Park (nysparks.com) is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." Here the Genesee River runs through a gorge with three major waterfalls between cliffs as high as 600 feet. The park has 66 miles of hiking trails, and also has opportunities for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. The 65,000-acre Allegany State Park (nysparks.com), the largest in the system, offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, canoeing and birdwatching. The park has campsites and cabins available, including several group campsites.
Tours of Dunkirk Lighthouse (dunkirklighthouse.com), in Dunkirk, include a climb up a spiral staircase to an observation deck at the top of the structure. Tours also include a look at the lighthouse keeper's home, built in 1800, and admission to museums featuring Lake Erie nautical displays. The Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse (geneseelighthouse.org) is located in the former village of Charlotte, just north of Rochester. Visitors can climb 42 steps to the lantern room for panoramic views of Lake Ontario.
The Niagara Falls area offers many opportunities for scout activities. Niagara Falls State Park (niagarafallsstatepark.com) has overlooks with spectacular views of the falls, as well as hiking trails, a visitor's center and the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. Beaver Island State Park (nysparks.com) is located on the southern end of Grand Island, in the middle of the upper Niagara River. The park has bike and nature trails, a sandy beach for swimming and canoe and kayak launches.
