Delaware Park (367 acres)
Between Parkside and Elmwood Avenues
(0.67 miles)
Trails for walking, biking, rollerblading, or cross-country skiing; 42-acre Hoyt Lake with boat rentals; gardens; tennis courts, athletic fields. Historic landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
Olmsted Winter Carnival (February)
(716) 884-9660
Ellicott Creek Island Park (165 acres)
Ellicott Creek Road at Niagara Falls Boulevard, Tonawanda
(8.35 miles)
Launch canoes and small water craft; connections to Ellicott Creek bike paths; picnic shelters; ice skating; cross-country skiing
(716) 693-2971 (picnic sites)/(716) 858-8355 enclosed shelters/buildings
Isle View Park (49 acres)
796 Niagara Street (Route 266), Tonawanda
(8.87 miles)
Trails with riverfront views for biking, walking, rollerblading. Picnic spots, boating. Restaurants with charbroiled favorites and ice cream across Niagara Street.
(716) 692-1890 or (716) 858-8355(shelters)
Tifft Nature Preserve (264 acres)
1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard
(9.02 miles)
Trails, bird watching, wildflower garden, visitor center, picnicking, lakes, fishing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing.
Guided walks 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays
$2 donation
(716) 825-6397
10-30 miles from campus
Chestnut Ridge Park (1,213 acres)
6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park
(22.54 miles)
Downhill/cross country skiing; tobogganing; outdoor ice skating; paths for biking/hiking; casino with fireplace; tennis courts; pavilions for rent; Winter Carnival; loaded with wildlife.
(716) 662-3290 or (716) 858-8355 (enclosed shelters)
Allegany State Park (65,000 acres)
2373 ASP, Route 1, Salamanca
(74.57 miles)
"The Wilderness Playground of Western New York" features water, forest, and mountains for nature lovers year-round. Sand beaches, extensive trails for hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling; ice fishing, boat rentals, campsites (including winter), cabins
(716) 354-9121
Griffis Sculpture Park
6902 Mill Valley Road, East Otto, New York
(51.80 miles)
More than 200 original sculptures displayed on a canvas of nature among hills and along trails.
Closed winter (after October 31) except for special events.
(716) 667-2808
Letchworth State Park (14,350 acres)
1 Letchworth State Park, Castile
(74.44 miles)
The "Grand Canyon of the East" features the massive Genesee Gorge, three mighty waterfalls, cabins/camping, fishing, hiking trails, winter sports, two restaurants
(585) 493-3600 or 1 (800) 456-CAMP (cabins/camping reservations)
Zoar Valley (3,000+ acres)
Springville (northern edge of Cattaraugus County)
(about 45 miles)
Hiking, nature sanctuary, canyons, waterfalls