5 Great Places to Spend Your Spring in New York State

Written by
Brian Kendall
When you think of New York, you might imagine giant skyscrapers instead of eastern white pines, busy streets instead of raging rivers, or honking taxis instead of spring peepers, but the Empire State is big and diverse enough for all of the above.

This spring, forego the hustle and bustle of the big city and, instead, spend time with your family or familiars in New York State's big country.

Note: Many New York parks don't open full swing until after March. Be sure to go online here for information and seasonality.

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Four Mile Creek
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A mere hop, skip and jump from Niagara Falls, this beautiful gem of a state park lies in the serene and densely wooded shores of Lake Ontario. For the month of March, you can either park your RV in a picturesque location or stay in one of the newly constructed yurts. The park also offers miles of winding hiking trails where you can spot great blue herons and white-tailed deer.
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Schodack Island
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If you're looking to bring out the binoculars and partake in birding this spring, you'd be hard pressed to find a better haven. Just south of the state capital lies Schodack Island, which is not an island at all but, rather, over 1,000 acres of gorgeous land encompassing the Schodack Creek/Hudson River Estuary. While offering hiking, boating and fishing, the park's real attraction is its Bird Conservation Area that is home to bald eagles, cerulean warblers and blue herons that nest in the cottonwood trees.
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Taconic - Copake Falls
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Barely squeezing into New York State, Taconic -- Copake Falls rests on the state's border with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Nestled in the Taconic Mountain Range, you'll find dense woods, breathtaking waterfalls, boating, hiking, swimming and cycling. The park also offers over 100 sites for your RV or trailer, or you can reserve a place in one of its 18 cozy cabins.
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Wildwood
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Itching to take a vacation to the beach this spring? New York might not be the first place to pop into your mind, but Wildwood State Park, which lies on the north side of Long Island, might have you thinking otherwise. The flagship park offers two miles of beautiful beach, prime fishing, 12 miles of weaving hiking trails, biking, picnicking, and more. And don't be afraid to take a dip in the cool waters of the Long Island Sound.
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Fair Haven Beach
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On the shores of Lake Ontario, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better lakeshore view than that of the beautiful bluffs and sandy beaches that occupy Fair Haven. If you manage to make the trek to this Upstate New York park, you'll be greeted with 1,500 feet of sandy shoreline, gently rolling woodlands, hiking, fishing, boating and more. It's the perfect blend of water and woods.
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