WNY Family Magazine August 2018 | Page 12

Allegany State Park is not only the largest state park in New York State but one of the most beautiful . This 65,000-acre park is home to an abundance of wildlife and an excellent place to spend a weekend camping and exploring . The park is perfect for families looking to get away from it all . Allegany has a little something for everyone in the family and intriguing day trips that are within a short drive .

Camping

Tent camping isn ’ t for everyone , which is why Allegany has a unique selection of camping options that range from regular campsites to fully furnished cottages . Known as Francer Cottages , these fully furnished cottages come with bedding and cooking utensils as well as a full kitchen and bathrooms with showers — the perfect option for those really not down for roughing it . However , if you ’ re looking to stay in one of these cabins , you should consider planning way ahead , as there are only 7 of them in the park . Allegany State Park also has 230 rustic cabins and 189 campsites for those looking for a more authentic outdoor experience . All cabins and campsites come with a firepit and picnic table .

12 WNY Family August 2018

A Weekend in Allegany

— by Kimberly Crawford

There are two campgrounds , Cain Hollow and Diehl . While both of these are tranquil and have lots of secluded campsites , Diehl is the more primitive of the two and has far fewer sites . It is also a bit harder to find . Both of these campgrounds are truly amazing places to camp . Visitors should keep in mind this is bear country and they need to deal with their food and trash appropriately . It is not uncommon to have wildlife of all sorts wander into the campgrounds . The camping and cabin areas also have full service bathrooms with showers and updated , state of the art playgrounds .

Exploring

There is a lot for a family to do at Allegany State Park . The park has two lakes and a beach for swimming . There are two piers that are excellent for trout fishing . Visitors can also rent kayaks , canoes , paddle boats or rowboats to explore the crystal-clear waters . Allegany also has facilities for basketball , baseball , horseshoes , volleyball , and tennis . Bike rentals are also available , so visitors can take advantage of the 5 miles of paved bike paths . Horseback riding is also permitted on designated trails .

Allegany is a nature lover ’ s paradise . The wildlife here is spectacular . In fact , the park is home to over 14 species of salamanders . Flip a log , lift a rock , and you ’ ll find all sorts of these little amphibians in different colors and patterns . There is a great deal of other wildlife that can be found within the park , such as deer , black bears , beavers , raccoons , fishers , porcupines , bobcats and coyotes . Visitors can and do see all of these animals , although some of these are nocturnal .

Naturalists will love the abundance of some of the oldest trees in New York State . There are lots of hiking trails within the park that have varying degrees of difficulty . Some of these trails are long and uphill , so be sure to wear proper footwear and carry water with you to stay hydrated . There are some fascinating points of interest within the park that should not be missed .

Bear Caves / Mt . Seneca Trail

This is not a steep climbing trail , but it is uphill . However , the scenery makes this hike more than worth a little huffing and puffing . The bear caves aren ’ t very far up the trail and are easy to reach . You should probably carry a flashlight if you plan on having some fun exploring them . The entire trail is 4.2 miles , so bringing along some water is a must , especially if you plan on hiking the entire trail .

The Butterfly Meadow Interpretative Trail

This is a great family hike . Kids love butterflies and this specially-designed meadow hike has them . The hike is very easy , with graveled paths and lots of informational placards that will teach visitors all they want to know about these beautiful pollinators .

Bridal Falls

It is a short and easy hike to Bridal Falls . This is the perfect place to visit on a hot day . The creek and falls are really