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.

Today two friends and I visited the Nature Center to see a wildlife art show/exhibit. There were a…read morevariety of media: photography, felting, ink art, watercolors, acrylics and oil paintings and sculptures. The artists' pieces are beautiful. I was especially impressed with the paintings created on wild turkey feathers. Rarely do I head to Thacher State Park in March...I am so glad we did. I highly recommend viewing this art show now. It is running until March 29th. I look forward to returning to John Boyd Thacher State Park in warmer weather when the trails are open. Truly a treasure!

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.

The falls are truly incredible…read more The trail down to the bottom of the falls, is a bit tricky. But so incredibly worth it. I would suggest not to believe the sign saying 189 steps.... it is definitely more! Take drinking water because you'll need that for sure. We went back in August and the heat was definitely there. The parking lot was pretty packed but throughout the trails people were pretty evenly spaced out. Not so much at the base of the falls themselves but there was still plenty of room to move around freely.

One of the tallest waterfall in NY, similar height to Taughannock Falls. Physical requirement is…read moredifferent tho, Kaaterskill Falls has about 500foot of elevation change and a lot of slippery stone steps at the end, if you come here when the weather is still cold. Parking: most people park at the Laurel-House Road parking area, because it is the closest. Or you can park at Mountain Top Historical Society, the old train station, which an extra mile. Starting from the old railroad station is nice, you can still see some old tracks on the ground. Walk to the overlook is fairly easy, once you get to the start point of Lower falls junction, it is where you need to be prepared. I recommend hiking shoe, especially in colder months where the ground is wet and iced. When you reach to the stone steps, they can get slippery. I am surprised no one fell in late March. Half of the steps were cover in ice and people were wearing regular sneakers. Once you reach the base of the two tier falls, the view is tremendous. If water levels are high, you can feel the energy of the water. There is a lot of spray from the falls when you get close. There is short trail to the middle tier pool. It was iced up during winter, spikes will definitely be useful. The end was amazing too. So close to the lead of the waterfall. You can keep going and follow Escarpment trail and follow the edge of the valley. There is monument for fireman Frank Layman who died during firefighting in 1900, at his monument, you can see route 23A bend around mountain. And if you keep going, there are a couple viewpoint to overlook the valley. Nice break points to enjoy the view and rest your legs.

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.