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Add Birding & Nature to your Hiking Experience
Observe Snowy Owls, Herons, American Eagles, and migratory Birds in the Wild
Hiking in Upstate NY is a great way to take in the four seasons and experience the heartbeat of nature including a wide variety of birds & wildlife in their natural habitat.

Birding is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy, and new Trails are being added across the State all the time. Birding, or birdwatching, is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages and experiences, plus it's a great way to get outdoors. Click the New York State Birding Trail image to get maps and more information.
The Regions offer a mixed terrain of mountains & valleys, forests & grasslands, lakes & rivers, marshes and more - where you can observe as many as 800 varieties of plants and over 200 species of birds - including Snowy Owls, Hawks, American Eagles, Egrets, Green Herons, and colorful migrators. So grab your hiking boots, a map, and camera (really, any camera will do), along with a pair of binocs, and get ready to bond with Nature!

Birding is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy, and new Trails are being added across the State all the time. Birding, or birdwatching, is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages and experiences, plus it's a great way to get outdoors. Click the New York State Birding Trail image to get maps and more information.
The Regions offer a mixed terrain of mountains & valleys, forests & grasslands, lakes & rivers, marshes and more - where you can observe as many as 800 varieties of plants and over 200 species of birds - including Snowy Owls, Hawks, American Eagles, Egrets, Green Herons, and colorful migrators. So grab your hiking boots, a map, and camera (really, any camera will do), along with a pair of binocs, and get ready to bond with Nature!
Explore Cat & Thomas Mountain Nature Trail near Bolton Landing, Lake George
Find Birding & Nature Trails by Region










Fahnestock State Park Campground
This 14,086-acre park’s scenic campground, formed along the park's natural rock ridges, provides 80 campsites, each with a picnic table, charcoal grill, and fire ring.
Hit the White Sandy Beach at Fair Haven State Park
Located minutes from Fair Haven, Fair Haven Beach State Park has one of the finest public lakefronts in Upstate NY.
Falling Waters Preserve
This riverfront, day-use park offers nature trails, a meadow with great views of the Catskills, a couple of picturesque waterfalls and rock ledges.
Fern Park Recreation Area
This four-season recreation area in Inlet features 20 miles of free trails open year-round for outdoor fun.
Finger Lakes National Forest
The Finger Lakes National Forest is nestled between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, located just a few minutes-drive from downtown Watkins Glen. It is the only national forest in New York State.
Franny Reese State Park
The park offers more than 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails that follow a historic carriage road and passes by the ruins of a 19th century mansion.
Gilbert Lake State Park
Most of this 1,584-acre state park along with its lake and three ponds is nestled in the wooded foothills of the Catskill Mountains.
Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail
The last remaining original canal in New York State, the nine-mile trail begins at the Feeder Dam in Glens Falls and will bring you by a portion of the few remaining sections of the original 1820s canal system.