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Park It

Middle Falls in Letchworth. Photos by Melinda Centi

Sometimes an escape can be as simple as a hike in the woods or a picnic in the park. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that won’t break the bank and allows you to get in touch with nature and find your inner tree-hugger, I recommend a trip to one of our many state parks. I’m not big on “roughing it” but I love the opportunity to hike a new trail or go exploring through a park where I’ve never been. I don’t think people realize how much beauty is nestled right in their own backyard.

If you want to stay local, Allegany State Park is a great place to venture to and get a taste of the great outdoors. You can be there within an hour drive heading east and enjoy the day at your leisure. Be sure to bring your bike or rent one there and stroll around the lake within 5 miles of the paved paths. There are opportunities to rent a boat, relax with an afternoon of fishing or take a walk and immerse yourself in one of the many hiking trails. Thunder Rocks is a must-see for those that love to climb and wander. I’m a bit of a wuss, so I always opt for the smaller boulders that won’t require a rescue team to retrieve me at the end of my journey, but there are plenty for you to choose. I have many fond memories of trips to Allegany, getting lost in the trails and ending the day around the campfire roasting s’mores and waiting for the racoons to raid our campsite once we retreat to our tents.

If you are looking to enjoy some breathtaking scenery, I suggest heading to Letchworth State Park. This incredible place is just a two-hour drive up north to Castile, N.Y. It is renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs-as high as 600 feet in some places-surrounded by lush forests. There are 66 miles of hiking trails and options for horseback riding and biking.

Waterfalls would have to be my single-most favorite feature of the great outdoors and every year I try to see a new one that will amaze me more than the last. The Middle Falls or “Ska-ga-dee” are centrally located in Letchworth and easily the most grand and picturesque of the three waterfalls at the park. They flow over 100 feet tall and can be viewed from a variety of vantage points.

When I went last year with a friend, we had a perfect sunny day to wander the park and take in the gorgeous scenery. We hiked the trails and got an up-close view of the lower waterfalls, walked through the museum to learn the area’s history and enjoyed a picnic lunch on a blanket with the water rushing in the background. We made it a day trip, but there are plenty of options for camping to make it a full weekend or week-long getaway.

There are so many incredible places to roam just miles from home and I encourage anyone who’s up for an adventure to grab their mosquito repellant and go for a hike. Not every adventure needs to take place somewhere exotic or across the globe to be exciting, and everyone needs time to decompress and disconnect from reality.

To quote John Muir, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”

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