What's Your Summer Vacation look like?

Beat the Heat and have a Summer Vacation Made in the Shade in the Enchanted Mountains!   

By the time August rolls around, if the hot weather has you wishing for cooler days, then come over to our neck of the woods, where sparkling waters meet lush and green forests!  Discover a splish-splashedy good time while exploring our waters on your boat, kayak, or canoe.  Keep it cool while taking cover in the crevices of our Geology Trail or hiking on our trails.  

Float your boat this summer!  One of the best parts of summer is being out on the water, whether you're swimming, jet skiing, fishing or just relaxing in the sun.  Onoville Marina offers 91 miles of natural shoreline and boasts as the largest inland marina in New York State.  Here you can rent a boat, "put in" and cruise away to a refreshingly good time.  View the beautiful scenery as you drift or speed along.  This place offers so much more with an ice cream shop right across the marina, great sit down dining just minutes away at the Horseshoe Inn or Nic-L-Inn, and camping!

We also have launch sites on at Friends Boat Launch in the Quaker area of Allegany State Park or at Lime Lake in Machias, a small but great place to take your boat.  Excellent fishing can be enjoyed at Lime Lake or spend the day in the boat, then head down to the Drive-In Theater right down the road.  In case you're wondering, drive-ins are also a must do for the summer season!  The Drive-In offers movies every night of the week! 

Prefer a smaller sized boat such as a kayak or canoe?  Well we've got options for you too.  Try Allegany State Park with either of their lakes, Quaker Lake or Red House Lake.  For a challenge, try rowing end to end in Quaker.  Don't own a kayak but wanting to get out there?  Hit the water by renting one at the Red House Lake, where they also have stand-up paddle boards, the latest sensation.  Case Lake or Harwood Lake are perfect for the person seeking calmer waters or for fishermen.  Both have hand launches for your canoe or kayak. 

No sea legs or just a land lover?  Well cool down under the cover of the tree tops canopies in any of our 18 State Forests.  Follow the Finger Lakes Trail or the North Country trail.  These trails continue on past our County, but the parts that pass through our County are breathtaking.  We have rugged climbs, easy breezy trails, paved trails and multiple use trails.  The Pat McGee Trail is a 12 mile trail that remains fairly consistent throughout and offers scenic places to rest like under an old railroad bridge.  The Allegheny River Valley Trail is a nature filled 5.6 mile loop along the Allegheny River.  There are plenty more options to choose from!

Still haven't found the perfect way to keep cool and comfortable?  How about hiding in a chilly crevice of a three story tall quartz conglomerate?  In other words, take a trip to Rock City Park, Little Rock City, or Thunder Rocks.  Meander through the pathways created by the huge rocks on your own self-guided tour, stopping where you please.  Relax in the shadows created by these huge rocks or find your adventurous side as you crawl into caves that are as brisk as a day in April.  Rock City Park in Olean takes you back to days when nature and a picnic lunch were all you needed to make your day complete.  Cost is just $5 and you can follow the paved mile long path or discover your own way to view these gigantic wonders.  Little Rock City is completely rustic.   There is no commercialization here other than a sign and some lean-tos!   Need help getting there?  Call us at 1-800-331-0543.  Thunder Rocks in Allegany State Park is a little bit smaller, but is in our beautiful State Park that offers many more activities for full day or full week fun! 

So Beat the Heat during the month of August by coming over to the Enchanted Mountains of Western NY.  Where do you want to play?