The Rim Rock Overlook and Picnic Area offer spectacular views of the Kinzua Valley, the Allegheny…read moreReservoir, and the dam. It's comprised of a mountaintop series of huge sandstone boulders. The huge rocks are a lot of fun to climb about but beware of rattlesnakes. I was born in the Town of Kinzua which, despite the objections of the Seneca Indian Nation, which had a treaty signed by George Washington covering their sections of land for as long as the grass grew and the sun shined, was broken, and flooded. So, as striking as the view may be, you're looking at yet another despicable act of a broken treaty with an Indian Nation. For the view, 5 Yelp Stars, for its appalling background of perfidy, I'll let you decide. By the way, the lake is commonly known as Lake Perfidy by the indigenous Seneca people.

This is a beautiful area that overlooks the Allegheny Reservoir. You can park near Kinzua Beach and…read morehike up to the Rim Rock Overlook or you can drive up and park at the top and take a short walk to the overlook. There are a lot of large rocks and boulders that make for interesting exploration opportunities. There's a narrow staircase that cuts right through the rocks as part of the trail between the beach and the overlook. Whichever option you choose, the overlook is gorgeous and worth checking out the view!

This is a lovely hike in Chautauqua county. There's a very small parking lot to access the hike…read more The trail is wide and well groomed. Even after some rain recently, there isn't really any mud on the trail. The trail takes you up to loop hike where you get some nice view with the gorge.

first, why are there 3 separate listings for this park?…read morestayed recently in one of their cabins; enjoyed hiking, campfire, relaxing, walking around the lake. others have noted the many amenities and opportunities to recreate here, so i won't. snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter, so it's a year round destination. some of the cabins have heat, beds, kitchens!

Beautiful, spacious park with lots of amenities and plans to build more bath houses and lockers…read more Lots of cabins by the creek. Good size lake with canoe, kayak and peddle boat rentals ($15 an hour). Nice trails and rocks to climb. Could use more restrooms near the trails, though. Nice gift shop and restaurant in same bldg as the lodge. Benches around the lake and grassy area and a beach area is close to picnic tables and the boat house. Bike rentals available too. Very well maintained park. Police around also. Great place for camping and beautiful scenery.

Great place to get information on this spectacular village. I have lived here all my life and it's…read morea wonderful wonderful place to live. They've got to do something with Chautauqua lake though.

Of the many small villages within the New York State, the Village of Lakewood is one of the better,…read moremore pleasant villages to be found. Bordering on the west shoreline of Lake Chautauqua it has a lot to offer, such as boating, swimming and in the winter ice skating and cross country skiing. The homes here are lovely with many of them, such as the old Packard Mansion, summer home of J. Ward Packard, founder of Packard Motor, historic though this particular residence has now unfortunately been converted into multiple condo complexes. The village is also within easy access and reach of the City of Jamestown and the Villages of Celeron and Bemus Point which likewise boarder Lake Chautauqua.

While putter around Barcelona in search of some smoked whitefish I clicked on my Yelp and Barcelona…read moreHarbor Pier popped up, so I decided to check it out. As far as the pier goes, it's nice but doesn't really amount to much and tends to be somewhat confusing because the pier itself is posted as being the "Daniel Reed Memorial Pier." It has a boat ramp and the area includes the "Sea Lion Project," the remains of a failed attempt at the recreation of an early English merchant sailing ship, some historical markers, some park benches, a nearby old lighthouse, a visitor station which appears to generally be closed and that's about it. As for the pier itself, well, it's just a nice little pier next to Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie. The setting and area however are really beautiful and a part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. If you happen to be in the area or are in need of a boat ramp or just enjoy green park spaces its worth seeing but the pier itself and the Sea Lion exhibit certainly aren't worth going out of your way for. As for rating the pier, it's just a pier so, not much so Two Stars. As for the area and the beauty of it, all of Four Stars, so since I have to give a star rating, I'm giving it Three Stars.

The pier superintendent or employee associated with overseeing the Barcelona pier is one of the…read moremost antagonistic & verbally abusive individuals I have encountered in my life. His hostility and profanities directed at me while I attempted to photograph the historic lighthouse were unwarranted and appalling, to say the least. I walked the beach beside the pier when this individual aggressively approached me, ranting, raving and accusing me of trespassing, although there were no visible signs indicating that the lakefront property was prohibited from being accessed. I am not from the area and will not plan to return, due to how the state of NY and the town of Barcelona operate their unwelcoming and offensive tourist industry. When I asked this individual for his name he rudely refused to offer it.

I've been bike riding around this crazy lake all day long. Morning, noon & night. I have yet to get…read moresick of how gorgeous it truly is!! *Insert Sir Edgar Allan Poe: In spring of youth it was my lot To haunt of the wide earth a spot The which I could not love thee less -- So lovely was the loneliness Of a wild lake, with black rock bound, And the tall pines that tower'd around. But when the Night had thrown her pall Upon that spot, as upon all, And the mystic wind went by Murmuring in melody -- Then -- ah then I would awake To the terror of the lone lake. Yet that terror was not fright, But a tremulous delight -- A feeling not the jewelled mine Could teach or bribe me to define -- Nor Love -- although the Love were thine. Death was in that poisonous wave, And in its gulf a fitting grave For him who thence could solace bring To his lone imagining -- Whose solitary soul could make An Eden of that dim lake.

Amazing sunsets. Amazing fireworks. Amazing people. This lake is beautiful and serene and amazing…read morein the summertime.

McCrae Point Park is owned and operated by the City of Jamestown, New York. It's a really small…read morepark but one that has a lot of history to it. Located on Jones and Gifford Avenue along the shores of the Chadakoin Outlet at digital GPS setting of 42.099755, -79.253011 it was the only site of organized Revolutionary military activity that took place in Chautauqua County, was an area visited and navigated by Capt. Celoron on his way down the Conewango to the Allegheny where he buried a lead plate as proof of claim of the surrounding lands in the name of France and served as the steam boat landing area for the many steamers including what I believe was the last, the "City of Jamestown," that took passengers and mail up the Chadakoin into waters of Chautauqua Lake. This is one of my most favorite of favorite parks because of its proximity along the Chadakoin which is shores are full of interesting wildlife such as wild ducks, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, water snakes (harmless), bass, bullheads, bluegills & etc. As such it's just great for kids as well as for me, a 70 year old who is still enjoying a happy childhood. Though swimming isn't advisable, fishing is good and for me, a Floridian, nothing fear of alligators, crocodiles, pythons, Portuguese Man of War jellyfish, skin slicing sawgrass or panthers. It does, however, have some blood sucking "skeeters" during summer months but with no vicious infestation nearly approaching those of the Everglades.

Nice experience. Always love a nice boat ride that is informative too! I would have enjoyed a "real…read moretime" host relaying the history and not a "pre-recorded" version. At timnoise level makes it difficult to hear it so maybe something to adjust with future trips. Maybe surround sound? Binoculars could be rented for an additional fee as another suggestion. Drinks and snacks available. Bathroom available-but instructed to put all used toilet tissue in garbage can. Just a FYI just incase your having a problem the day you want to go on a voyage! Toot toot!Otherwise relaxing fun experience.

A beautiful scenic tour of the lake on a historic steam boat. Staff is very hard working. I…read morerecommend the Belle very highly !