We have been coming to thatcher park for years. Such a quick little hike (can be challenging) but…read moregorgeous views. The bathrooms were extremely clean.

Before you come here, if you want to hike behind the waterfalls, Indian Ladder Trail is closed…read moreduring the winter and through April due to ice. Other than that, all the trails are open and still fun to hike and enjoy the views. Also the state park is free during off season and much less traffic, which is a bonus. Luckily, I came in late March where most of the snow and ice has melted, and I could explore with regular hiking shoe. I did a loop at the Paint Mine trail. Maybe 2miles total. There are some small waterfalls there, fairly easy loop, no real elevation change. There are a couple overlooks at the park where you can see over the valley. If weather permits, you can see city of Albany at far away with a waterfall on the side. It was very foggy at my first day, so I had to go back again.

The rose gardens here are stunning, and I wasn't even visiting during peak blooming season! The…read moregrounds are kept up very nicely. The best part is that it's free and hardly any people.

I was here for an event and boy was it busy. Baseball games all over the place and kids running…read morearound. Very large park with tons of parking. Signage isn't great so you definitely need to know where you're going.

Be prepared, the trail down to the falls is very long and while its quite easy going down ,getting…read moreback up is a definitely a treck. It's so worth it though. If however you decide not to go down to the bottom, there is a viewing platform . The waterfall pressure/flow can vary depending on when you visit. Heavy after rain or less during the summer months. Swimming is allowed in the basin , the water is cold . The fall and parking are free in designated parking lots. There was a porta potty in tje lot we parked in. Not sure if there's one in each parking lot though. Don't park anywhere along the roads as you will get ticketed and/or towed. Arrive early aa the parking lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Personally I wouldn't do this trail on a rainy day especially if you're a beginner. Lots of stepping stones that can be slippery when wet. Other than that it's one of the most beautiful trails I've been on.

One of the best water falls in NE! Mid-week late summer…read moreafternoon visit. There was a park(?) officer at the entrance sitting in the car waving as people left. There was also a table at the entrance to the trails with a person who didn't have much knowledge of the trails nor falls?? Spent 75 minutes and was able to hike upper, mid, lower falls and plenty of time to explorer. The trail to the viewpoint is very short and easy to find. The location provides an excellent long range mountain views, however, a mediocre view to the entire falls IMO. There was little water when I visited in mid- September and leaves hadn't changed colors yet. The trail to the falls is NOT marked very well after the initial 2 signs. I met a man with a cute dog who mountain biked but never found the falls! Many on the trail said they continued on stairs (straight) that didn't go to the falls! If you want to just hike without the Falls as the end goal, then this park works for you. Otherwise, download the trail map or access Alltrails prior to arriving. Lucky for me I received an advice from returning hikers who knew the park and advised me well :). The KF hikes are not long but are pretty steep... scrambling maybe required especially to get to the cove behind the upper falls. The KF trail split, to the bottom of the falls and to the mid- falls, is pretty close. So, the view to the entire falls was worth hiking down to. The trail near the bottom of the falls is red rock stairs and well maintained. Recommend water, sun protection and decent treaded shoes for gravel and roots. Bugs were minimal during my visit. There is no running water but a port-a-potty at Laurel House parking lot. Parking was a gravel lot and was about 2/3 full. Enjoy!

Large park with paved trails, a pond with multiple fountains, tons of benches, two parks for kids,…read moremany pavilions and bathrooms available. A bunch of flat fields people meet at for events and flag football etc. Not tons of shade but enough to keep it enjoyable. Bring water and you will be sure to enjoy!!! :) There has been some concern with suspicious people lurking by parks that's worth mentioning. One lady said she was with the paper and was taking pictures of kids and evaded once questioned. Another man was recently banned for lurking and aggression at the park.

This is a wonderful place for walking, taking children to the wonderful playground and sitting by…read morethe pond. Additionally, there are too many activities and free music concerts to list.

So many options and space to play! The kiddos loved the zip line! There is a spacious field to play…read moreball right next to the playground and bathrooms available at the building where the pool is. There are also porta John's next to the park. There are pavilions with tables and shaded tables in the park itself. Tennis court and work out stations along a walking path and volleyball court to enjoy as well! Truly a gem to the community!!

What a great park. My wife and I came here with our baby on a day off and it was a perfect place to…read moreplay. It was hot though, and while lots of sheltering trees could be found around the perimeter it would have been nice if more shady things had been integrated into the play area. But, it had lots of stuff I had never seen before like rocking benches, cool sliding boards, and safe merry-go-rounds (ahh, bring back the days of the old metal ones that flung you off if you let go!). No dogs allowed on the playground itself, so if you bring one you are stuck also sitting along the edges watching.

Small and quiet pocket park. There is playground equipment for older and younger kids, a pavilion,…read moretennis court (looks new), basketball area as well as another paved area. Lots of room for the kids to run around, plus it's fenced in with trees for shade and benches to sit on.

Such a beautiful place for nature walk. Great place to bring your dog. Serene rivers and benches…read morealong the path to rest and retreat. Parking is right at the start of the trail, I had no problems finding a spot. Definitely check this place out if your looking for a moment to relaxation.

This place is amazing- highly recommend it ! Such a beautiful, scenic and relaxing walk. The path…read moreis in impeccable condition and it is beautifully manicured between natures wildflower landscape. My husband and I as well as our dog loved this path. There is water along the path and beautiful bridges to cross.

One of the best fireworks conducted on the first weekend after 4th of July. The festivities were…read morecanceled over the last 2 years due to the pandemic. This year the festivities are back and with a bang. The place was crowded but not overly crowded. The park had food trucks, music, entertainment and games for kids. This use to be one of the best fireworks. The fireworks are still good and one of the best in the area. The view is closes compared to other fireworks I have been to. This is the only time of the year I visit this park.

Wintergreen Park is a really neat spot to explore with some fascinating rock features. "Boiling…read morePot" is the natural swimming pool that's great for a quick dip. (Be careful, because it's not as deep as you'd think) A common frustration that I have (that I'm sure many others have as well) with beautiful spots like these is the accumulation of trash left behind by park visitors. I was really bummed to see so much junk that could have easily been carried out by the same humans who carried it in. It's really not that hard. L.N.T. y'all - LEAVE NO TRACE!

My wife was part of a group that rented out a pavilion in this park recently. Of note, the parking…read moresituation is a bit unusual so follow the signs (which take precedence over common sense). There were two pavilions in the area and we had the one on the right, but the one on the left was being used by two different groups of people celebrating two different events. I don't know if either or both rented it, or if both showed up at the same time, but it looked like an awkward situation. The pavilion we rented had at least one electrical outlet good for a crock pot or stereo, but don't think there were many more. Next to it was a small barbecue grill that was about 18x24". It was big enough for a family gathering, but it couldn't possibly hold enough food for a crowded pavilion unless they were all eating hot dogs. We tried, and only got about 16 burgers on it at a time. A large garbage can with a bag liner was inside at the corner, but we were told that it was NOT for use by people who rent the pavilion (rental is carry in-carry out) but instead was for use by those who don't rent the pavilion. That must be a mistake as nobody would have such a stupid policy. Nearby was a nice kids playground, and all around us and mixed through the trees was a disc golf course. I should have brought my old Frisbee from college. I was told a creek also ran in the area. Bathrooms were within sight but I never ventured near them. All told, a decent place to rent.

Shenantaha, meaning "deer water," is the Iroquois name for the Ballston Creek, which forms the…read moreeastern boundary of the park. The gates to drive to the park area closed. However, you can park your car upfront and take a long walk. Zin Smith trail passes through this park allowing hiking, bicycling, rollerblading, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. In the park there are remains of a mill that pressed flax seed oil.