Hi there!
If you want to go see the best of New York outdoors near Niagara Falls, there are a number of New York state parks near Niagara Falls.
So in addition to seeing the waterfalls of Niagara Falls, you can do more outdoor activities while you are in the area!
You can make your Western New York road trip a New York outdoors trip!
There are great scenic places to be seen in several state parks near Niagara Falls!
Some of these are state parks with campgrounds.
I did a road trip in and around Niagara Falls and went to a bunch of New York state parks! Here are the state parks near Niagara Falls you need to know about!
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1. Niagara Falls State Park
Well first we will start with the reason for visiting Niagara Falls NY.
In Niagara Falls, there is a New York state park called Niagara Falls State Park.
This is where you can find the best things to do in Niagara Falls on the American side.
This includes the scenic viewpoints of Prospect Point and Terrapin Point that will give you the views of Niagara Falls.
It also includes the ultimate Niagara Falls experience from the bottom of the waterfalls of Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist.
There is free entry to Niagara Falls State Park, but there is a parking fee of around $10.
There is no campground at Niagara Falls State Park.
Explore the map
See more: Things to do in Niagara Falls NY
2. Whirlpool State Park
The Niagara River is the river that Niagara Falls flows along.
And another way to experience the Niagara River is the Niagara Gorge.
And one of the New York state parks that you can go to in order to experience the Niagara Gorge is Whirlpool State Park!
You can see the Niagara Gorge from above, and you can take the stairs down to hike along the Niagara River too.
Whirlpool State Park is a FREE New York state park.
Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State Park is around a 10 minute drive. (map)
You can also get from Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State Park without a car by taking the free Discover Niagara shuttle.
There is no campground at Whirlpool State Park.
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State Park
See more about things to do in Whirlpool State Park.
3. Devils Hole State Park
Devils Hole State Park is another New York state park that you can go to in order to experience the Niagara Gorge and the Niagara River.
Devils Hole State Park is a FREE New York state park.
Niagara Falls to Devils Hole State Park is around a 10 minute drive. (map)
There is no campground at Devils Hole State Park.
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Devils Hole State Park
4. Fort Niagara State Park
Fort Niagara State Park is located where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.
So you can call a trip to Fort Niagara State Park another outdoor activity closely related to Niagara Falls!
And at Fort Niagara State Park is where you will find the Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site.
This is where you can take in the history of many countries, including the United States, Canada, France, and Britain, along with Native American tribes.
To enter Fort Niagara State Park, there is an entry fee of $8 per car. See current fees.
To walk around the grounds of Old Fort Niagara, there is an additional entry fee of around $17 for adults and $12 for kids age 12 and older. See current fees.
Once you enter Fort Niagara State Park, there is no additional fee to walk directly around the Fort Niagara Lighthouse, which is at the Old Fort Niagara parking lot.
Niagara Falls to Fort Niagara State Park is around a 30 minute drive. (map)
You can also get from Niagara Falls to Fort Niagara State Park without a car by taking the free Discover Niagara shuttle.
There is no campground at Fort Niagara State Park.
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Fort Niagara State Park
5. Four Mile Creek State Park
The reason to go to Four Mile Creek State Park is to go camping near Lake Ontario during your Niagara Falls trip.
Four Mile Creek State Park is located directly along Lake Ontario.
In addition to campsites, Four Mile Creek State Park is also one of the New York state parks with yurts.
There is no swimming at Four Mile Creek State Park.
The Four Mile Creek State Park camping fee ranges from around $18-34 a night, depending on whether you go for a campsite with or without electricity.
The cost of a Four Mile Creek State Park yurt is around $90 per day.
Four Mile Creek State Park camping reservations (and yurt reservations) are made through reserveamerica.com.
Niagara Falls to Four Mile Creek State Park is around a 30 minute drive. (map)
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Four Mile Creek State Park
See more about Lake Ontario state park camping near Niagara Falls.
6. Golden Hill State Park
Golden Hill State Park is a New York state park with a lighthouse along Lake Ontario.
It’s possible to go inside the Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and climb up to the top to see vast views of Lake Ontario!
Golden Hill State Park is another place you can go for camping near Lake Ontario.
At night, you can see the lighthouse flashing!
In addition to campsites, Golden Hill State Park is another one of the New York state parks with yurts.
There is no swimming at Golden Hill State Park.
To enter Golden Hill State Park, there is an entry fee of $8 per car.
Once you enter Golden Hill State Park, there is no additional fee to walk directly around the grounds of the Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse.
There is a fee to walk inside Golden Hill State Park, which is around $1 per person and requires a tour. See current fees.
The hours that the lighthouse is open varies, so if you are interested in walking inside the lighthouse, it would be good to call ahead of time to confirm it will be open when you go. Also confirm that you can can climb up to the top of the lighthouse. For example, when I went, lighthouse hours were 12-4pm on one day, and 1-4pm on another day.
The listed phone number is (716) 795-3885.
The Golden Hill State Park camping fee ranges from around $15-31 a night.
The cost of a Golden Hill State Park yurt is around $90 per day.
Golden Hill State Park camping reservations (and yurt reservations) are made through reserveamerica.com.
Niagara Falls to Golden Hill State Park is around a 1 hour drive. (map)
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Golden Hill State Park
See more about Lake Ontario state park camping near Niagara Falls.
7. Buffalo Harbor State Park
Buffalo NY is where you will find Lake Erie, and the other end of the Niagara River.
And one of the ways you can experience Lake Erie in Buffalo is at Buffalo Harbor State Park along the Buffalo waterfront.
You can go for a walk with views along the Buffalo Harbor.
Niagara Falls to Buffalo Harbor State Park is around a 30 minute drive. (map)
There is no campground at Buffalo Harbor State Park.
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Buffalo Harbor State Park
See more about things to do in Buffalo around the outer harbor.
8. Evangola State Park
Evangola State Park is one of the New York state parks along Lake Erie.
There is a swimming beach at Evangola State Park.
There’s also the Evangola State Park campground.
In addition to campsites, Evangola State Park is one of the New York state parks with cabins.
To enter Evangola State Park, there is an entry fee of $7 per car. See current fees.
The Evangola State Park camping fee ranges from around $15-27 a night.
The cost of a Evangola State Park cabin is around $60 per day and $420 per week.
The cost of a Evangola State Park yurt is around $90 per day.
Evangola State Park camping reservations (and yurt reservations) are made through reserveamerica.com.
Niagara Falls to Evangola State Park is around a 1 hour drive. (map)
Another state park along Lake Erie: A bit further to the south along Lake Erie is also Lake Erie State Park. There is a campground at Lake Erie State Park. There are also cabins. Niagara Falls to Lake Erie State Park is around a 1.5 hour drive.
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Evangola State Park
See more about things to do near Lake Erie in New York.
9. Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park is another one of the New York state parks with waterfalls!
So if you are going to Niagara Falls State Park for amazing views of waterfalls, then you may very much want to consider going to Letchworth State Park for more amazing views of waterfalls too!
There’s also the Letchworth State Park campground.
In addition to campsites, Letchworth State Park is another one of the New York state parks with cabins.
To enter Letchworth State Park, there is an entry fee of $10 per car. See current fees.
The Letchworth State Park camping fee ranges from around $27-30 a night.
The cost of a Letchworth State Park cabin ranges from around $33-142 per day to around $132-568 per week.
Letchworth State Park camping reservations (and yurt reservations) are made through reserveamerica.com.
Niagara Falls to Letchworth State Park is around a 1.5 hour drive. (map)
Explore the map: Niagara Falls to Letchworth State Park
See more about things to do in Letchworth State Park.
And those are some ideas for day trips from Niagara Falls!
The quick list (and more pictures!) of state parks near Niagara Falls:
- Niagara Falls State Park + more
- Whirlpool State Park
- Devils Hole State Park
- Fort Niagara State Park
- Four Mile Creek State Park with campground + Lake Ontario camping
- Golden Hill State Park with campground + Lake Ontario lighthouse
- Buffalo Harbor State Park + Buffalo outer harbor
- Evangola State Park with campground + Lake Erie
- Letchworth State Park with campground
HAPPY VISITING NEW YORK STATE PARKS NEAR NIAGARA FALLS!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.