Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Syracuse, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
31 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
37 mi east · National Park Service
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes.
39 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers
Broome County operates Dorchester Park on Whitney Point Lake. Day use facilities include a beach, boat launch, picnic area, pavilions and open play areas.
Map of 16 places loads as you scroll.
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes.
Broome County operates Dorchester Park on Whitney Point Lake. Day use facilities include a beach, boat launch, picnic area, pavilions and open play areas.
Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.
Lambs Creek Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Tioga Lake, just north of the borough of Mansfield, PA. The recreation area is easily accessible from US Route 15 and offers a great location for picnicking, hiking and biking.
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire force.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Syracuse. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
An activity Short shared by ThingssToDo.
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
An activity Short shared by Explore New York with Ana & Michael.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 31 miles west of Syracuse as the crow flies. Next are Fort Stanwix National Monument (37 mi) and Whitney Point (39 mi).
Based on Syracuse’s average highs, April–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.