Parks, Trails, & Outdoors

What parklands or public spaces are most suited for outdoor recreation?

A diverse array of public lands including a national wildlife refuge (Montezuma, Seneca Falls), the state's only national forest (Finger Lakes National Forest, Lodi/Hector), six state parks and several state-owned wildlife management areas protect and provide public access to the county's natural resources. Parklands include Cayuga Lake State Park (Seneca Falls), Seneca Lake State Park (Waterloo/Geneva), Sampson State Park (Romulus), Bonavista State Park/Golf Course (Romulus), Lodi Point State Marine Park (Lodi), Dean's Cove State Marine Park (Romulus).

Where can I go for great birdwatching?

Seneca County has three designated "Important Bird Areas" - which are distinct areas that provide essential habitat for one or more species of birds in breeding, wintering, or migration. Each of these three areas make excellent choices for birdwatching: Montezuma National Wildlife Preserve (Seneca Falls), Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve (Seneca Falls) and the former Seneca Army Depot (Varick).

Where can I find waterfalls with public access?

Buttonwood Falls is located on the grounds of Buttonwood Grove Winery (Romulus) and contains a moderately tall (20-30' waterfall), Groves Creek Falls is located on the west side of Cayuga Lake and features a roadside, moderately tall (20-30' waterfall), Oak Tree Falls is a creek-walk up Groves Creek and leads to a large (60') waterfall.

Taughannock Falls is located in nearby Tompkins County and features one of the most impressive waterfalls in the entire region. It features a picturesque 215 ft plunge down the middle of a colossal amphitheater.

*For more details on these or other waterfalls, visit NYFalls.com