Grafton Lakes State Park
(Grafton, NY)Situated on the forested mountain ridge between the Taconic and Hudson valleys, 2,300-acre Grafton Lakes State Park features five ponds and is a popular destination for anglers. The park provides fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout, pickerel, perch, bass, and walleye. All of the ponds have boat launch facilities for canoes, sailboats and rowboats. Grafton Lakes also includes 25 miles of trails for walking hiking, biking or horseback riding.
Spring is a great time to visit Grafton Lakes. Early in the season visitors can stop by and learn about maple sugaring, an activity unique to the northeastern United States and southern Canada, where the cold nights and warm days of the February, March and April induce the flow of the maple tree’s precious sap. As the weather warms up, visitors can stop by the Shaver Pond Nature Center where park naturalists conduct outdoor recreation and environmental education programs. For further information, call the park at 518-279-1155.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
(Tarrytown, NY)Located 30 miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, Rockefeller State Park Preserve is an idyllic spot for strolling, jogging and even horseback riding. The property, which was once part of the Rockefeller family estate, offers panoramic views of the Hudson River and the Pocantico Hills. The preserve offers visitors a variety of educational and interpretive programming, from fishing tutorials, wooded strolls and hiking, to cultural programming, including art and writing workshops.
The most notable feature of the Rockefeller State Park and Preserve is the system of carriage roads. Designed to complement the landscape, the carriage roads allow visitors to experience and enjoy the natural wonders of the area. These scenic paths wind through wetlands, woodlands, meadows and fields, past streams, rivers and lakes. They traverse wood and stone bridges, including the first triple arch bridge in America.
A popular destination at any time of year, the preserve really comes alive in the springtime. With 180 recorded species of birds and its IBA (Important Bird Area) designation by the National Audubon Society, the preserve is a must-visit location for bird watchers. April 1st marks the beginning of trout season at the preserve, where anglers enjoy fishing in the Pocantico River. For further information, call 914-631-1470.
Fair Haven Beach State Park
[i[(Fair Haven, NY)Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, Fair Haven Beach State Park has one of the finest public lakefronts in upstate New York, with high bluffs above sandy beaches and hilly woodlands. Inland, the park features Sterling Pond, which is surrounded by campsites and cabins. The park also offers full-service cottages and eight cabins that are available for rental year-round.
Fair Haven Beach is an outstanding springtime destination, with something for everyone. Visitors can rent rowboats, paddleboats or canoes to spend a leisurely day on the pond or sit on the beach and take advantage of the spectacular views of the lake. Its prime location on Lake Ontario also makes it a great spot to watch migrating birds head to their northern home for the warmer months.
The park also includes the 18-hole Springbrook Greens Golf Course, which opens in early April. The course offers both links-style holes and traditional wooded play, providing visitors affordable golf on a well-maintained and challenging course. For further information on the park, call 315-947-5205.
