Fun Destinations for New York State Road Trips

Saratoga Spa State Park

Provided and sponsored by the New York State Tourism Industry Association.

Saratoga, New York: An Outdoor Lovers’ Paradise

New York State Parks in the Saratoga NY region are an outdoor lover’s paradise, as well as being environmentally and culturally diverse. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just want to meander along wooded trails dotted with towering pines, New York’s Parks have you covered. How about golfing, swimming, biking, fishing, snowshoeing, camping, or kayaking? New York’s parks have you covered. Visit a museum or take in a concert? Get a spa treatment or stay at a historic hotel? New York’s parks have you covered. Natural wonders, scenic beauty and adventure can be enjoyed year-round.

Saratoga Spa State Park is known for its naturally carbonated springs, which are uniquely Saratoga! The 2,200-acre Spa State Park is also home to the Gideon Putnam Resort, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Spa State Park Golf Course and the Saratoga Automobile Museum, plus miles of recreational trails for walking, hiking and biking. The Roosevelt Baths and Spa, located in the park, will rejuvenate you and help promote health and well-being.

Moreau Lake State Park offers camping in the Adirondack foothills along with a lake surrounded by mountains and a sandy beach, a nature center and more than 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking. The Park also has a vacation cabin and several accessible camp sites equipped for those with disabilities. Visitors to the Park can take advantage of kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing and ice fishing, along with outdoor winter recreational activities.

Moreau Lake State Park

Peebles Island State Park is at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. It offers spectacular river and rapids views for walkers and joggers, who can take advantage of the miles of paths through the gently rolling and wooded landscape. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including a multitude of birds like bald eagles, woodpeckers, hawks, falcons, herons, geese and ducks. Other wildlife that can be spotted are deer, beaver, fox, turtles and more.

Parks allow us to get outside in nature and learn more about our surroundings, and offer many spectacular recreational opportunities. Saratoga County, NY, is fortunate to be the home to a national park as well as three state parks. Saratoga National Historical Park is the site of the turning point of the American Revolution. British General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General Horatio Gates after the Battles of Saratoga and cemented our nation’s place in history. The Park has a tour road with interpretive stops, incredible mountain vistas, wooded trails and a variety of wildlife. You can also visit the Saratoga Surrender Site commemorating the location of the first-ever British Army surrender on October 17, 1777.

For more information, visit ilovesaratoga.us.

A boat passes the Oswego Lighthouse at the mouth of Oswego River.

Oswego County: The Perfect Camping Destination

Residents and visitors alike admire the unspoiled natural beauty of this region on the southeastern shore of Great Lake Ontario.

The area is best known for legendary fishing and spectacular sunsets over Lake Ontario. With more than 4,000 sites in 35 campgrounds to choose from, campers can explore Oswego County’s serene outdoors at their own pace.

Selkirk Shores State Park near Pulaski (141 sites), Sunset RV Park in Oswego (38 sites), and Brennan Beach RV Resort near Pulaski (1,395 sites) are among the most popular spots to park your rig, sit back, relax, and experience a Lake Ontario sunset. For a complete list, click here.

Thousands of acres of public lands offer plenty of swimming, paddling, cycling, and hiking. Salmon River Falls Unique Area is one of the most scenic, with a spectacular 110-foot drop and miles of hiking trails. Check out 200 miles of trails and woodland roads with the Oswego County trail map—click here.

Oswego Speedway, which will host the 50th annual NAPA Super DIRT Week in October 2022, has more than 800 camping sites adjacent to the legendary oval racetrack. Racing starts in May and closes in October.

Many families like to combine their favorite pursuits of fishing and camping. In Oswego County, you’ll find numerous campgrounds conveniently located near popular fishing hotspots on Lake Ontario, the Salmon River, Little Salmon River, Oneida Lake, and Lake Neahtawanta.

Try your luck fishing for legendary salmon and trout on Lake Ontario and the Oswego and Salmon rivers, or fish Oneida Lake for bass, walleye, and perch. In fact, Oswego County waters claim 14 world- and state-record fish! You’ll find up-to-date conditions and a complete list of charters, guides, and marinas here.

For a day on the town, learn about the region’s fascinating history at more than 20 museums and historic sites. Oswego’s Fort Ontario State Historic Site, the nearby Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, H. Lee White Maritime Museum, Richardson-Bates House Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Oswego (CMOO) are top picks. Round out the day with a boat tour to the iconic West Pier Lighthouse from the H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego.

Spectacular sunsets, legendary fishing, exciting auto racing, sandy beaches, and fascinating history make Oswego County the perfect camping destination! To plan your Oswego County experience, visit www.visitoswegocounty.com or call 1-800-248-4FUN and request your free visitor guide.