We went for a hike here and it was great!!!! The weather was perfect for a fall day and we had a nice hike. It was not difficult to navigate and followed the path. Theh are doing some work to make it more inclusive for people in wheelchairs it looks like but not complete yet. The main building is beautiful and the people in there were super friendly. Go if you have time. It is great!!! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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There's multiple walking loops around fields, ponds, and forests. You start at a Visitor Center staffed with knowledgeable volunteers, who are happy to talk about local animals and birds. Bring binoculars and sunscreen, and pack a picnic lunch! read more

16 2 I don't know what happened to my review but, it is local treasure for those who enjoy walk and reflecting in nature.

So wonderful, in all weather! Don't bring your furry friends as they are not allowed on trails, but do bring your curiosity & wonder of nature! There are boardwalks, amazing vistas & don't miss the visitor center! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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A great place to visit stroll fish and more. Just please don't trash the beauty of Tifft!! It takes a second to put it in a pocket to pack it out and dispose of it properly read more

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I recently came here for a volunteer event, and was so impressed how tranquil and serene this spot was considering it's location. There are enough trees, trails, and wildlife to forget where you are for a little while. Although I didn't go inside, there is an information center not too far from the parking lot. read more

Well marked and maintained with easy to walk trails. Nice and close to lots of areas in the southtowns and towards the city. This was my first time. I was very impressed. There was a variety of landscapes here. Some with more coverage from trees/ brush and other areas more in the open. There are several marshes/ ponds and quite a few boardwalks to get through different areas. A large variety of vegetation and animals wandering around. Also some trails cut where you could walk out in the open and see Route 5. The way the space is designed you can enjoy nature and feel alone with your thoughts and not be too far from home. Free parking. Nothing is paved so it could be hard to push a stroller through some areas, especially if there is some mud. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Welcome sign/ start of the trail - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Whether headed here alone for some respite and time in nature, or with my crew (husband + two boys), this is my favorite park in WNY. My 6-year-old and I love any opportunity to find and catch a frog, and you will find them here! We are usually unsuccessful at the catching, although sometimes little guys will hop right up to you on the trails away from the water. It's not unlikely that you will find deer, ducks, all kinds of beautiful birds, butterflies, and chipmunks on your walks. There are multiple trails and all are marked very well. A couple trails lead to a big hill that gives you a view of the outer harbor. Pro-tip: come here when the sun is just starting to set and watch it sparkle on the water. It's heavenly. This is a true nature preserve, so no dogs allowed, and no keeping those frogs if you manage to catch one. Highly recommend a visit. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Made it to the top of the hill to overlook the water! - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This is a great place just south of Buffalo to enjoy nature. Currently, the boardwalks are closed (due to COVID I am assuming) but there's still some trails open and you may see some wildlife! I've seen plenty of fish, deer, and birds. It's an easy way to get in some exercise for the day and to enjoy the warm summer days! There's also the outer harbor on the other side of Route 5 which has nice views of the city and yet another reason to enjoy the outdoors! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Just went here for the first time yesterday and I absolutely loved it! I never knew this beautiful spot was right by the Outer Harbor. It's so serene in the Tifft Nature Preserve. So many different plants. It was just peaceful. Will absolutely be back. read more

A few friends and I took advantage of the "good weather" today to get a little walk in this afternoon. Even though I was born an raised in Buffalo, I have never been here. Of course, there was quite a bit of foot traffic here due to the quarantine. It seems like a many others had the same idea to go out and get some fresh air. The trails are somewhat narrow so do keep that in mind if you decide to come here. However, everyone has been pretty good about social distancing even here as much as possible. And if you plan on visiting soon, maybe wear some boots because it's very muddy in various parts (probably due to recent precipitation). I didn't take many photos but I would like to come back when the weather warms up for an even better experience. Also, keep an eye out for the many different bird species that you'll see here. We were also fortunate enough to see some turtles sunbathing. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

I go where frequently as it's only 5 minute from my house! You're guaranteed to see wildlife here. I've seen deer, geese, ducks, turtles, woodchuck, squirrels, rabbits, vultures, hawks, egrets, and sooo many varieties of birds. If you bring a little birdseed with you, the birds will land right in your hand to eat it! read more

Another gem just outside the city. Free of charge, this nature preserve has well maintained trails where you are almost guaranteed to see some sort of wildlife. On my latest visit, we came across a few deer within 10 feet of us. Also we spotted many ducks and birds along our hike. Trails are well marked and easy for all fitness levels. They also offer classes and guided hikes on their website for a small fee (see website for details, some might be postponed due to COVID). Instead of the typical Canalside/ Outer Harbor walk, discover some Nature at Tifft! read more

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I was skeptical when I first arrived, but this place is larger than it appears to be from the parking lot. Eventually I reached places along the trail that offered a reprieve from road noise, but it was hard for me to forget I was in the city when I gazed across the marsh at abandoned buildings. Still, it's an interesting contrast, and I love that they are nurturing and supporting natural habitats within the city limits. I saw lots of turtles, but no deer. I've never been one to change course when threatened, but I've never been hissed at by advancing mother geese on a nature trail before either. And after I just saw other people pass a different group of geese and goslings without incidence. If you see some blocking the trail with no intention of moving on, just pick another path. There's plenty to choose from. There's a few short boardwalks along some of the trails. To the right of the main path, you can see "bat clouds" that were made to provide housing for bats. I wonder if people see any bat activity on their guided moon walks. read more

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I came here to go walking tonight. Usually more of the boardwalk areas near the water are open but they aren't currently open because of the pandemic. They want people to social distance. Some of the usual waking routes were a bit muddy. Because of the closed routes, I couldn't make it up some of the tougher areas today. I did get a great walk in tonight. I had a great view of the water and took a photo of it. Interestingly enough the things hanging up that look like bottles are part of a Bat Cloud, or a safe haven for insect-eating bats. On my prior trip here, I saw many deer. Stop by for a walk here. You'll love seeing and hearing the beautiful birds and you'll enjoy the exercise. read more

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This Hike was in early May! Our 1st outing with friends and The pandemic. Fellow visitors were very friendly and respectful towards others. We all have each other space when needed. Many places to stop and rest on a bench or fallen tree! Wildlife to be seen were Canadian geese, frogs, fish, deer, bats in their homes and chipmunks! Some areas are blocked off due to construction or flooding. There were still plenty of trails to pick as an alternative. If you are hungry afterwards, there are places near lake Erie or South Buffalo to grab a bite to eat! read more

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This is a lovely nature preserve and it offers a ample hiking trails, fishing spots and the peace and quiet you're looking for. Located very close to Buffalo's industrial section, you'll be amazed at just how far away you feel from an urban landscape. Great for kids and out of town guests as well. Check it out! read more

Such a wonderful place to commune with nature. When they re-open the paths over the water, totally five stars! read more

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Tift is a beautiful area to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of nature. The area has a nice size parking lot and easy walking trails.Deer roam freely and don't seem to be afraid of visitors. Nice place to take the family and spend an afternoon. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Tift Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This place is a hidden gem for sure. I honestly had no idea this nature preserve was here in all my time in and out of Buffalo. My friend and I met up in West Seneca and I thought this would be a good place to explore before we made our way down river (upriver?) To Canalside. We arrived relatively early (10am) when the preserve is open... Although it appeared that activities were already goibg on in the main building. Our stroll led us to one of the boardwalks for which Tifft is known, and we were able to catch sight of some wildlife including turtles, frogs, and birds. This is a great plce for a leisurely walk or a run as some young and shirtless gentlemen were doing. I think this is a great nature getaway amidst the industrial backdrop of south buffalo! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Turtles!! - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Nice and easy walking trails with a great view of a few ponds.You may even spot a few deer. Area seems to attract plenty of butterflies, one which landed on me. Shady walking paths keep you cool on the hottest days. Nice place to spend an afternoon. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Tift Nature Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

When we're in the mood for some urban nature, this is our go-to spot. I've been coming to Tifft since I was a kid, and enjoy bringing our own kids here with my husband now. The trails are short and easy (at least the ones we stick to), with boardwalks along the way. In the summertime, from the boardwalks you can stay a while to spot sunbathing frogs (and sometimes snakes, ewwe.) It's also a minute drive to the outer harbor and Buffalo Harbor State Park. You can easily make a nice day out of exploring Tifft, then picnicking or just relaxing on the harbor. Today we went out for a walk to enjoy some balmy Buffalo Feb. temps (it was almost 40!) before another big storm hits. This time of year it is muddy and dreary, like the rest of the 716. But as hearty Buffalonians, that doesn't keep us away. Nor does it others, as there were several peeps out in the heatwave. :-P Along our stroll, we saw some plump little chickadee birds and a trio of deer. On the way out, we ran into a volunteer who we chatted with about some of the invasive plants, and common animals in the park. She was very kind, very interesting, and very adamant to NEVER feed wild animals (it's a park rule, and sometimes it is illegal to feed certain animals certain things--corn for the deer is a BIG no-no!). Our stop today was impromptu, so we were definitely lacking in ideal footwear for the season, but it was still navigable by sticking to the edge of the trail. If you're heading to Tifft anytime soon, wear good boots! And enjoy nature during its dreariest, which I suppose is still beautiful in its own way. read more

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Once upon a time there was a dumpsite for city refuse... That city dumpsite had already had a few lives - the first as land for the local Indian tribes of course then as a large dairy farm owned by George Washington Tifft. It went on to become a coal and ore shipment area. Then it was the city dump. And then in 1972 a bunch of smart Buffalonians got it from the city, took care and managed the land well, allowing for the Nature Preserve it is today to open in 1976. They covered the city dump with soil from nearby areas, and made some of the waterways larger and cleaner. This encouraged various wildlife (plants and animals both) to come back to thrive more in the area. By the early 1980's Tifft was a part of the Buffalo Science Museum. Tifft Nature Preserve is a nature refuge on the edge of the city. They do tons of environmental education here and host lots of walks and tours throughout the year. It opened in 1976 and has been upgraded and improved ever since. There are some 5 miles of hikes and walks, all mapped out so you can travel them on your own. Just like at the Friends of Times Beach preserve a mile and a half up Fuhrman Boulevard, Tifft has boardwalks for bird and animal observation. There's some fishing in certain areas of the Preserve. There's also snowshoeing in the winter if there's enough snow. You can cross country ski there. School groups come to get education year round. There are also guided tours for adults. While its free to enter and walk around, they do ask for donations. If you come for a tour there may be a fee associated with it. The website has up to date info on all of this, including the current snow levels for winter sports etc. Parking is OK, there is some construction happening now (Early 2015) at Tifft, so be prepared to read some signs and follow directions. Also, this is an outdoor place. Wear appropriate hiking or sturdy walking shoes and you should be fine. Leave the heels at home though, it can get muddy. Enjoy! read more

What an unexpected natural preserve so close to the city. This would be a nice place to pack a lunch and eat by the water after a hike. We saw up close deer, several 4" baby snakes, baby raccoon, a blue heron, lots of frogs and a beaver dam. Great place to let the kids burn off some energy read more

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On oasis on the outskirts of the city. Growing up I never knew this place existed however with my parents having some acreage in the Southern Tier we didn't really need to experience nature in the city. I came here last summer when I was looking a geocache on a sunny summer day; I must say that if you are not from this part of the city/region it can be a tad difficult to get to. Going in I was impressed that the city has managed to preserve a bit of nature here. If you are looking for a little getaway from feeling like you are in an urban area AND don't have the ability of an expert hiker I would highly recommend checking out this park. Tifft is a 264 acre nature that is a mix of wooded and wetland and because of that last fact I can't give them 5 stars, if you come here during the warmer months bring your bug spray due to the mosquitoes being rampant any time of day. (LOL) I know its nature, I know it happens but I have never been eaten alive like I was on my first trip here, those little buggers found any spot the spray might have missed. BUT back to the experience, this place is perfect for beginner hikers due to the fact that the trails are simple, marked and mapped out and there is little to no change in terrain. I would recommend water proof, comfortable shoes as well. The multiple trails throughout the preserve will allow you to experience and witness various types of nature out there, one word of caution when in the back of the park and you are on the raised wooded walkways they are highly infested with red/fire ants so you may not want to stay in one place too long. Also throughout the park you should take note of the signage that indicates any other "warnings" such as poisonous or irritable plants as well as ticks, bugs and other pests. One item of interest to check out is the Bat Cloud constructed by UB, you will see them hanging from an area of trees right at the entrance bridge to the park. The Bat Cloud is designed to provide a sanctuary for a bat population by creating a safe livable/sleeping space for them as well as an area they eat. You can read more about it at this article I found on Buffalo Rising: http://buffalorising.com/2012/08/bat-cloud-helps-bats-to-beat-the-odds/ Please note this is not the type of park you will stop and picnic in, the entrance may have a few tables near the lake or visitor center however this park is meant to be a refuge for the plants and animals within and when in the park you should take care not to disturb nature too much and be respectful. What you bring in should be taken out, i.e. water bottles, wrappers, etc. Hidden within the park are a few geocaches, if you are new or curious about geocaching I recommend that you check out geocaching.com for more info about these hide. read more

Such a hidden gem in the city!! This park is a good break from the city. Saw lots of different animals and went for a good two hour or so walk.... I would recommend geocaching (Free in the App Store!) ... it makes the walks extra fun to find a few fun items. No dogs allowed and you can't fish in the park ... read more

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Wonderful hidden gem in Buffalos outer harbor. Great for hiking, fishing, wildlife watching. Miles of trails, water and paths. In a gorgeous setting that is free to access! You can also rent the space for private meetings . In The winter you can go snowshoeing here. Apparently Tift is very popular for bird watchers. There are many educational displays in the main building. If you want to get away from it all this is a great place to go. Only downside is you cannot bring dogs to walk and also the parking is limited so you may have to park on the main road and walk to the main entrance. read more

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Great tranquil place in downtown Buffalo, which used to be a landfill is now a beautiful nature preserve. In the winter, there are trails as well as snow shoes available for $5 to rent. They host plenty of events including guided moon walks and have great programs for children to explore. You'll often see wildlife (especially deer) around and all in all, the Tifft Nature Preserve is a great place. There's also a main cabin/visitor center with a neat event space that is available for rent. read more

One of the BEST hidden treasures us Buffalonians have. A BEAUTIFUL preserve with many things to see. Easy to follow trails with a variety of local wildlife. I never knew what a Muskrat was til I spotted one, took a pictire and looked it up. Plenty of educational signs on trails and benches along the way. Butterflies, deer, turkeys, rabbits, geese, turtles, bats, a TON of bird varieties and more! You'll see them all. Been going here for 10 years and plan to continue doing so. Seeing the progress this place has been making is also an amazing plus. I highly recommend visiting whenever you have free time. You never know what you'll find!! read more

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Great time outdoors and nice walking paths. Great for groups, though I wish the signage and paths were more clearly marked in some areas. Saw lots of deers while out there which was cool too. Definitely recommend if you want to get out and stretch your legs a bit and enjoy nature. read more

Visited the Tifft Nature Preserve as a way to be active outside in the winter time. The problems with hiking in winter are the dangers of unmarked paths and crossing into dangerous grounds or slipping. With a constant flat ground, the Tifft Nature Preserve really made us feel secure the whole time. There was a bunch of snow on the ground and we were still able to clearly identify what path we were suppose to be on. All crossroads were clearly marked. When we wanted to head back, we just walked down the "service road". We walked around sunset. This was extra pleasing because the pinky sky reflected off the snow around us. They have snow shoes available to rent, weather permitting. No pets are allowed and most of it has to be done on foot (no bike). read more

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Enjoyed some snow shoeing here on a cold winter day. We had our own, but you can rent the old school wooden ones for $5. The trails are easy to follow, flat surface, many observation areas, cool views of the silos, a few deer sightings, cickadeee-one area they were eating bird seed out of a person's hand. There is a nice building with a fireplace, a few couches, table and chairs. Enjoyed my time. Have been here since I was a kid, but haven't been here much. It's conveniently located off route 5 and near Lake Erie, so you can easily walk on the trail along the Lake after enjoying the nature preserve. read more

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One of the best nature preserves in the Buffalo area. Love the wooden walkways, because you can see so much. There were so many frogs blending into the green film on the water. It was very cool to see! Many different kinds of birds were present too. Our favorite animal sighting was the white deer that we saw as well! It was amazing! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - White deer seen moving towards its baby. - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

I LOVE YOU TIFFT! If I hadn't happened to marry my BFF and love of my life here, I may have considered "putting a ring" on Tifft. It's a beautiful space and certainly a nature preserve... while wandering the trails you might just run into a family of deer. Also, apparently this place used to be a dump... like, literally, a garbage/landfill type place. What a change it is! I worked with Lauren at Tifft (and Erin at the Museum of Science) to plan my September nuptuails at Tifft. It's a relatively inexpensive place to rent and Lauren is very easy to work with. I am so happy the weather also cooperated for our ceremony :) We got married on the deck and 100 folding plastic chairs fit there. Excellent! Our rental fee included the entire facility, including the nature center/classroom and they allowed guests to park next to the cabin too. I loved our day. It was beyond perfect and I know the pictures will be breathtaking. The best part is I can come to Tifft all year long and remember how special my day was. If you're looking for an outdoor wedding ceremony space I would totally recommend Tifft read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - Is there really a better place in Buffalo to get married? I don't think so. - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

If a girl named Tiffany just seduced you, bedded you, and then stole all your money and clothes, you've been Tifft. It's happened to me many times. It's just nature. In fact there are people out there who are lining up to reserve a night with Tiff so they can get Tifft. She's calling the reservation service the "Tifft Nature Reserve." I've only been here 3 or 4 times, which is a crime because it's one of the loveliest places in Buffalo. It's by the lake, and also by all the old abandoned industrial factories, and yet in the middle of all this, you have this wonderful greenery filled with animals and plant life and wildlife... you will almost certainly see deer and a lot of birds, as well as many other delights of nature if you are lucky. If ever there was a five star, it is this place. I hope it is preserved forever, and always. I'm just glad there aren't any cows here though, because they might get Tippt. read more

Tift Nature Preserve is awesome! If you visit, please keep it clean and dont damage the natual habitat or animals you WILL see! There is good parking and a beautiful science and nature building at the entrance. There is a newly built pier and you can fish wherever you want. Respect the wildlife and use barbless hooks! Its almost a guarantee you will see deer, frogs, turtles, several bird species and a ton of different insects etc. Many birdwatchers and people watchers alike. There is a bridge in the far back which leads you to a marshy area where a super nice walkway wraps over the water. Benches and a great view await!!! Check it out folks. Hidden Gem for sure and did I mention 100% FREE!!! read more

Tifft Nature Preserve is a well maintained trail located near Buffalo, New York in the outer harbor area that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Beautiful nature trails with abundant wildlife. We saw deer, geese and other water fowl. This is an excellent, easy walking trail which has several boardwalks and lookout areas. read more

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Who knew - a nature preserve just outside of the city? Not me, until I went here on a date this past summer. Upon arriving, it occurred to me that a hike in the woods was perhaps not the best choice for a second date with a guy I hardly knew. So I promptly checked in on Yelp and periodically posted pictures to create a timeline, just in case. This was pretty cool; a really nice walk. As part of the nature experience we saw turtles, frogs, baby deer, and the Bat Cloud where bats can sleep, hang out, and upload their files to a secure server, I guess. I think this would be a really great family outing with children. read more

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My grandson just completed his first Nature Camp and the experience was fabulous. Every day he looked forward to going and was "stoked" when he was picked up. He couldn't stop talking about his day and the friends he made.The staff was great! You could tell that not only do they love what they do but truly enjoyed working with the children. Every day there were different activities planned both inside and out. Inside the building there were baby chicks to pet, several turtles and plenty of taxidermy animals. Weather did not stop outdoor activities because campers had to have bad weather clothes. Snacks were provided but lunches had to be brought from home only in reusable containers. This was to teach environmental responsibility and control trash. The $225 cost for the week was more than worth it. If there are younger children in your home, check out the Tifft Nature Preserve for activities both free and at cost. read more

This is a hidden gem in Buffalo, for sure. I'd heard about it being a great open space to visit, and since Lee and I were in the general area, we figured hiking off lunch would be a good idea. The weather was decent for it, clear skies and temps just around/above freezing. First, we stopped in the Visitor's Center to find a map (very helpfully provided as a tri-fold) and to use the restrooms. The Center has a lot of interesting interpretive maps showing the history of the location (It used to be a railroad loading terminal) as well as bird spotting lists, a nature library, and chairs and tables and a warm gas fireplace to thaw out and warm up. At this time of the year (winter) they also have snowshoes for rental, but we decided to skip this, since the snow wasn't too deep and a lot of others had already snowshoed their way around the trails. My only reason for docking them a star is because, although the trails are signed, they're not blazed, and I'm always a proponent of blazing trails to keep people on the proper paths. The scenery was stark and beautiful at this time of the year, and I was able to make a couple of sighting additions to iNaturalist of deer, who are almost entirely unafraid of hikers. I definitely plan on making a return trip in different seasons, as I'd love to add more sightings. It is great to know there's some nice wild space right inside of Buffalo. read more

Tifft Nature Preserve - The incongruous juxtaposition of urban decay and natural beauty. - Hiking Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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