NYPA has just the thing for you and your family for day trips, weekend trips and longer staycations. We recommend that you call ahead whenever possible.
When open, you can make use of NYPA’s tremendous recreational resources, get active and experience New York’s history, culture, and natural beauty - all while staying close to home, staying safe, socially distant, and enjoying free outdoor fun. Enjoy beautiful and scenic hiking trails, camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming and more.
NYPA land is widely available for activities and sports of all kinds. From the New York State Park system to the Schoharie County Bluebird Society, many state and local entities work with NYPA to manage the recreation areas. We recommend calling ahead whenever possible. Here are a few of our popular recreation sites:
When open, you can make use of NYPA’s tremendous recreational resources, get active and experience New York’s history, culture, and natural beauty - all while staying close to home, staying safe, socially distant, and enjoying free outdoor fun. Enjoy beautiful and scenic hiking trails, camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming and more.
NYPA land is widely available for activities and sports of all kinds. From the New York State Park system to the Schoharie County Bluebird Society, many state and local entities work with NYPA to manage the recreation areas. We recommend calling ahead whenever possible. Here are a few of our popular recreation sites:
NYPA Recreation Facilities in Schoharie Valley: Blenheim-Gilboa
Visitors Center & Lansing Manor Museum, operated, maintained and staffed by NYPA. See webpage for details.
Give us a call if you have any questions: 800-724-0309
Give us a call if you have any questions: 800-724-0309
The grounds of the B-G Visitors Center complex includes picnic spots and wetland areas with beautiful views and hiking trails (that connect to the Long Path North).
NYPA’s Upper Reservoir, on top of Brown Mountain, has great fishing, a nice path to walk and great views. Both upper and lower reservoirs have been stocked with 500 brook trout and brown trout as well as a thriving Walleye population. Access can be granted by Kingsley Road. Fishing is also available on the Schoharie Creek at a fishing platform near the NYPA Security Building on Power Plant Access Road.
Please call in advance : 800-724-0309
NYPA’s Upper Reservoir, on top of Brown Mountain, has great fishing, a nice path to walk and great views. Both upper and lower reservoirs have been stocked with 500 brook trout and brown trout as well as a thriving Walleye population. Access can be granted by Kingsley Road. Fishing is also available on the Schoharie Creek at a fishing platform near the NYPA Security Building on Power Plant Access Road.
Please call in advance : 800-724-0309
Mine Kill State Park and Overlook, managed by NY State Parks:
In addition to hiking trails, playgrounds and scenic picnic areas, the park offers boat access to the B-G Project’s Lower Reservoir for boating, kayaking, and fishing. The park’s biggest draw is undoubtedly its beautiful Olympic-size swimming pool, kiddie pool and dive tank which are all open with reduced occupancy.
In addition to hiking trails, playgrounds and scenic picnic areas, the park offers boat access to the B-G Project’s Lower Reservoir for boating, kayaking, and fishing. The park’s biggest draw is undoubtedly its beautiful Olympic-size swimming pool, kiddie pool and dive tank which are all open with reduced occupancy.
Archery Hunting, managed by NY Department of Environmental Conservation
The Long Path, managed by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Bluebird Trail, managed by the Schoharie County Bluebird Society
NYPA Recreation Facilities in the North Country: Hawkins Point
Hawkins Point Visitors Center, operated, maintained and staffed by NYPA. See webpage for details.
The scenic St. Lawrence riverside site contains picnic tables, trails and fishing access, as well as a boat launch are open (adjacent to Hawkins Point on Barnhart Island). Both sites allow you to use the trails and take advantage of outdoor recreation.
Give us a call if you have any questions: 1-315-764-6679
The scenic St. Lawrence riverside site contains picnic tables, trails and fishing access, as well as a boat launch are open (adjacent to Hawkins Point on Barnhart Island). Both sites allow you to use the trails and take advantage of outdoor recreation.
Give us a call if you have any questions: 1-315-764-6679
Nicandri Nature Center: With its amazing indoor exhibits, beautiful outdoor trails (over 6 miles of trails!) and more.
Tribute to St. Lawrence County residents who fought in the American Civil War:
The St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum in the North Country has completed construction on a historical stockade fort with funding support from NYPA.
The fort, located in Madrid, NY, includes a barracks, headquarters, and a parade ground with a flagpole as its center piece, acting as a working model to demonstrate Civil War garrison life. Located near the fort’s entrance is a memorial to the St. Lawrence County Medal of Honor recipients with an honor roll featuring the names of all those from the North Country who served during the Civil War, listed by regiment.
“NYPA is proud to support this important monument to the North Country’s Civil War heroes,” said Judge Eugene L. Nicandri, NYPA vice chairman and Massena resident. “The Power Authority’s power proceeds program leverages the low-cost hydropower from our St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in support of a multitude of economic development opportunities in the North County, including culturally rich tourist attractions like this one developed by the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.”
The St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum in the North Country has completed construction on a historical stockade fort with funding support from NYPA.
The fort, located in Madrid, NY, includes a barracks, headquarters, and a parade ground with a flagpole as its center piece, acting as a working model to demonstrate Civil War garrison life. Located near the fort’s entrance is a memorial to the St. Lawrence County Medal of Honor recipients with an honor roll featuring the names of all those from the North Country who served during the Civil War, listed by regiment.
“NYPA is proud to support this important monument to the North Country’s Civil War heroes,” said Judge Eugene L. Nicandri, NYPA vice chairman and Massena resident. “The Power Authority’s power proceeds program leverages the low-cost hydropower from our St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in support of a multitude of economic development opportunities in the North County, including culturally rich tourist attractions like this one developed by the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.”
Robert Moses State Park offers wooded campsites and cabins, a marina and boat launch, some of the best fishing in the Northeast, picnic areas, a swimming beach, and tennis courts
Massena Town Beach:
The beach consists of 20 scenic acres on the St. Lawrence River that include three covered picnic pavilions, picnic areas, grills, a handicap/wheelchair accessible waterfront, restrooms, changing rooms, a concession stand, softball field; volleyball court, 2 basketball hoops, playground equipment and a shoreline nature trail with fishing access.
The beach consists of 20 scenic acres on the St. Lawrence River that include three covered picnic pavilions, picnic areas, grills, a handicap/wheelchair accessible waterfront, restrooms, changing rooms, a concession stand, softball field; volleyball court, 2 basketball hoops, playground equipment and a shoreline nature trail with fishing access.
Coles Creek State Park (Waddington, managed by NYS Parks):
The park has wooded and open campsites near a swimming beach on Lake St. Lawrence - the lake is ideal for boating and fishing and a marina on the mouth of Coles Creek lies just north of the park entrance. The park also has a playground, playing fields and a large pavilion.
The park has wooded and open campsites near a swimming beach on Lake St. Lawrence - the lake is ideal for boating and fishing and a marina on the mouth of Coles Creek lies just north of the park entrance. The park also has a playground, playing fields and a large pavilion.
Waddington Town Beach (Howard Park):
The beach offers a pavilion, picnic tables, playground facilities, trails for hiking, and transient docking facilities for people arriving by boat.
The beach offers a pavilion, picnic tables, playground facilities, trails for hiking, and transient docking facilities for people arriving by boat.
Whalen Park (Louisville):
Located in the Town of Louisville, Whalen park contains a 1.6-mile long walking/running/biking trail. The handicap accessible trail meanders along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River.
Located in the Town of Louisville, Whalen park contains a 1.6-mile long walking/running/biking trail. The handicap accessible trail meanders along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River.
Whittaker Park (Waddington):
Located in the Village of Waddington, the park features recreation fields, a playground and docks.
Located in the Village of Waddington, the park features recreation fields, a playground and docks.
Island View Park (Waddington):
The park is a recreation and picnic facility in the Village of Waddington with a picnic pavilion featuring a central hearth, and a separate building containing new bathrooms, and catering facilities, playground area and docking.
The park is a recreation and picnic facility in the Village of Waddington with a picnic pavilion featuring a central hearth, and a separate building containing new bathrooms, and catering facilities, playground area and docking.
NYPA Recreation Facilities in Western New York: Niagara
The Niagara Power Vista, operated, maintained and staffed by NYPA. See webpage for details.
For information on the fishing pier, please call (716) 286-6662.
Update: The fishing pier at the base of the Robert Moses Dam is open dawn to dusk and the handicapped access elevator has returned to service. Facilities are expected to close for the season December 1 or in icy conditions.
For information on the fishing pier, please call (716) 286-6662.
Update: The fishing pier at the base of the Robert Moses Dam is open dawn to dusk and the handicapped access elevator has returned to service. Facilities are expected to close for the season December 1 or in icy conditions.
NYPA fishing facilities are open daily from dawn to dusk on a seasonal basis and are admission free. Users should maintain adequate social distancing and follow New York State recommendations regarding use of masks. At the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Plant, parking is available near the pier and at the top of the hill next to the road that provides access to the pier.
- The Power Vista
- Robert Moses Fishing Pier**
- Lewiston Reservoir Fishing Access – south side
- Lewiston Reservoir Fishing Access – north side
- Niagara Intakes/Upper Niagara River Observation Area
- NYPA's Niagara fishing facilities (**including the fishing pier at the base of NYPA's Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Plant) are scheduled to open on April 1. They are generally open for the season after April 1, or after the ice boom has opened and ice runs have cleared the lower river at the power plant (they will close under icy conditions, unsafe water levels, and typically by December 1).
- When the fishing facilities are open (including near the Upper Mountain Fire Company at the Lewiston Reservoir and at the Water Intakes along the upper Niagara River) the fish cleaning station at Robert Moses is available as long as temperatures remain above freezing.
- Parking for the pier at the base of the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Plant is only available when the facilities are open. There are two parking areas, one near the pier which includes dedicated handicapped parking and an overflow lot at the top of the hill adjacent to the access road to the pier. From the lower parking area, visitors use a dedicated walkway to the stairs or the handicapped access elevator to access the fishing pier level. The pier may be closed for weather or high water conditions. The stairs to shoreline fishing remain closed for safety reasons. Please call 716-286-6662 for the most up to date conditions.
Niagara State Park Gorge Trails (Niagara Falls, managed by NYS Parks):
A natural wonder—formed during the last ice age—the Niagara Gorge consists of a series of hiking trails of varying length and difficulty.
A natural wonder—formed during the last ice age—the Niagara Gorge consists of a series of hiking trails of varying length and difficulty.
Reservoir State Park (Niagara Falls, managed by NYS Parks):
The park includes a playground, softball, basketball, tennis, model airplane field, hiking trails and fitness course.
The park includes a playground, softball, basketball, tennis, model airplane field, hiking trails and fitness course.
Managed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation:
- Reservoir State Park
- Schoellkopf Overlook of Niagara Gorge with elevator to lower gorge
- Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
- Whirlpool St. Overlooks (upper and lower) of Niagara Gorge
- Stone Stairway between upper & lower Whirlpool St. overlooks
- Great Gorge Railway Trail
- Niagara Scenic Parkway
Managed by the Tuscarora Nation: Haudenosaunee Exhibit (inside RMPD Power Vista)
Managed by the City of Niagara Falls: Upper River Trail