You don’t have to go far to find stunning natural landmarks! New York is home to awe-inspiring waterfalls, mountains, fossils and so much more. Whether you’re traveling to one of these beautiful attractions from across the country, across the world, or right here in New York, you won’t soon forget the state’s natural wonders.
- Ausable Chasm: Not far from the shore of Lake Champlain is Ausable Chasm, a gorge that, in some places, flows more than 175 feet below the surrounding surface. You’ll find Alice Falls and Rainbow Falls, a natural cave and interesting rock formations along the gorge.
- Chimney Bluffs: Melting glaciers formed the dramatic landscape of Chimney Bluffs State Park, located along the shore of Lake Ontario. The park offers short, picturesque trails around and through the bluffs.
- Green Lakes State Park: Round Lake, one of two meromictic lakes in the State Park, is a designated National Natural Landmark. Meromictic lakes don’t “flip”; consequently, the deepest water is never oxygenated, prohibiting plants or animals from living in it. There are only 11 of these lakes in the US!
- Howe Caverns: Over the last several million years, underwater streams carved away at the limestone of Schoharie County to form Howe Caverns. The Caverns opened for tours in the mid-1800s as the country’s third commercialized cave.
- Montauk Point: At the very end of Long Island lies Montauk Point State Park. The rocky cliffs here are home to bass, seals, and hiking trails for visitors.
- Niagara Falls: New York is home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world: Niagara Falls. More than 6 million cubic feet of water tumble over the Niagara Escarpment every minute!
- Saranac Lakes: Retreating glaciers formed the Upper, Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes. Today, you’ll find opportunities to bike, hike, fish, boat and more within the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest.
- Storm King State Park: The Hudson Highland region is home to multiple mountainous state parks just north of New York City. Storm King State Park, located along the Hudson River, rewards hikers with beautiful river views.
- Watkins Glen: As glaciers carved away New York’s Finger Lakes, they also created rushing gorges such as Watkins Glen. Rather than one tall waterfall, there are a series of small drops throughout the glen, adding to its beauty.
- Whiteface Mountain: At 4,867 feet, Whiteface Mountain is the fifth tallest peak in New York. Veterans’ Memorial Highway makes the mountain accessible to almost any traveler.
