This state park in Gardiner spans the massive Shawangunk Mountain Range below Catskill Park. Both hikers and mountain bikers frequent this place to take advantage of the 50+ miles of trails here in this 22,000-acre park.
There’s also the one-mile Awosting Falls Trail day hike which leads to an attractive 60-foot waterfall and the pool beneath it. Both of the property’s pristine lakes–Lake Awosting and Lake Minnewaska have beach areas where you can go swimming too. Other highlights include the Rainbow Falls and Gertrude’s Nose Trails.
Located southwest of Ithaca, this state park includes 12 pretty waterfalls and a gorgeous gorge along the Enfield Creeks. If you’re not big on hiking but would rather go swimming then head for the popular Lower Falls situated under half a mile from the parking lot. There’s a nice size swimming hole right under the falls. On the other hand, if you love hiking there are nine trails here. The best of them are the 4.3-mile Rim Trail and Gorge Trail Loop.