Step Into Spring!

Step into Spring in the Enchanted Mountains!

When you think of Spring, you might imagine yourself thawing out, getting back outdoors for a hike, or hopping on the motorcycle and riding anywhere!  Springtime is here in Cattaraugus County, otherwise known as the Enchanted Mountains!  For some, this is their favorite time of year, with new growth all around, warmer days and the opening of all the amazing parks!   We are home to Allegany State Park (open year 'round), Griffis Sculpture Park, Rock City Park, Sky High Adventure Park and the Onoville Marina, all of which begin to welcome visitors at the start of May!

About the beginning to middle of March, most people start to grow tired of the cold or have a severe case of cabin fever.  Cattaraugus County is otherwise known as the Enchanted Mountains for its' vast countryside, serene landscapes, and picturesque hills and valleys.  With expansive forests all around us and an area indigenous to tall Maples, we offer up some of the best Maple syrup you can please your taste buds with.  So how does warming up with a hot pile of pancakes sound to ease the cold of winter?  Taste the yummy goodness that this time offers at the Maple Weekends on March 20-21 and 28-29.  Sprague's Maple Farm in Portville, Wrights Farms in Farmersville, Boberg's Maple in Delevan, Moore's Pancake House in Freedom and Maple Glen Sugar House in Gowanda all offer tours of their Maple Farms and different samples and demonstrations.  Each place has their specialty, whether it be Maple Cotton Candy, Maple Hotdogs, Maple Cream, "all you can eat" pancakes, or  "jack wax".  If you didn't get enough during these two weekends then save the date for Franklinville's WNY Maple Festival April 25-26!

Snap yourself back into the swing of things with a White Water Rafting Trip down the Cattaraugus Creek.  Spring starts the season for most, and what better way to wake up from hibernation then to ride thrilling Class II and III rapids while taking stops to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful views of Zoar Valley.  Sign your group up with one of our Guide services: Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting, Adventure Calls Outfitters, or Catt Rafting Adventures!  Besides some of the best paddling around, you can discover pristine waterfalls, majestic cliffs and old-growth forests.  Cattaraugus Creek is also known for its Angling opportunities.  Routinely a top 10 steelhead fishing site, you can find an abundance of naturally populated and well-stocked! 

There's no better place to see the birds soar, watch the flowers bloom and get outdoors than Allegany State Park.  One of the joys of warmer weather is camping!  Gather around the campfire to hear the noises of the night while you "unplug" with your family.  This park has much to boast about being the Largest NY State Park and offering a 24 mile trail system for Mountain Biking, two lakes, miles for hiking (including the North Country Trail), and just about any other outdoor activity you can think of.

Starting May 1st we have the opening of our other amazing parks! Rock City Park will offer visitors a spectacular from "Signal Rock", where they can see all the new leaves forming on the trees.  Discover 80 feet tall rocks that have been left over from the ice age.  Hike the trail that leads under, around and sometimes through these magnificent rocks then check out the souvenir and rock shop or the Fluorescent Light Rock Room.  The grass is always greener at Griffis Sculpture Park, where nature combines with art.  Hike along the trail to come upon over 250 enormous sculptures.   Adults like the park because it has beauty like no other, while children like the park because you can climb on some of the sculptures!  Fun to visit in any season, visitors will enjoy feeling the sun while resting beside a giant giraffe or by the ladies near the lake.  Warmer weather also means warmer water!  Float your boat and soak up the sun along 91 miles of natural shoreline in the Reservoir, launching at Onoville Marina.  Explore the trees while climbing through them and racing down the ziplines at Holiday Valley's Sky High Adventure Park.  Don't forget the golf clubs when you go as Holiday Valley also a redesigned 18 hole par 70 "Double Black Diamond" golf course that is challenging and well maintained, with breathtaking scenery from every hole. 

The ice and snow have all melted along the back roads of the Western side, between Randolph and Gowanda, which is home to a community of Old Order Amish.   Adventure through NY's Amish Trail to find unique handiworks and learn about the culture of these people, who live separate from the modern world.   You will find yourself relaxed and renewed as your cares seem to disappear to views of farmlands, open spaces, and charming backdrops.  Follow hand-painted signs down the side roads to the Amish businesses where you can purchase a wide variety of goods, from quilts to jams to furniture!   Better yet, take to these back hills on your motorcycle!  If you live to ride, then you have been waiting all winter to get your motorcycle out and we have suggested scenic routes, including one that highlights our Amish Country, in the Enchanted Mountains Ride Guide. 

No horsing around, the Enchanted Mountains is a great place to find trails of equestrian fun.  Looking for horse related events and get-togethers?  Keep EnchantedMountains.com/Horse on your favorites list then.  Our local stables, clubs, and arenas are committed to sharing their passion for all things equestrian with experienced or beginner riders.  Nothing quite compares to seeing the countryside on horse.

In addition to all of these wonderfully spring things you can do and visit, we have more adventures blossoming this time of year with our events!  So get into the Swing of Spring by making a trip to come see us soon!  For free information on any of these activities or events, or to request free guides visit EMFun.us/Request.