Stony Brook Park is a must visit when in the Keuka Lake area and looking for an outdoor experience. The parking lot fits plenty of cars and there's clean bathrooms onsite. There are 4 different trails you can hike if you feel up to it but we recommend the Gorge Trail & East Rim Trail. This loop can be difficult on the knees with all the steps and unbalanced areas. Absolutely beautiful park and afterwards you can swim in the clear cold water. We had a blast and was a highlight of our trip. read more

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The whole experience was superb and wonderful. My friends and I decided to hike on a rainy day (bring a poncho, umbrella and careful of slippery rocks!). We did the gorge trail; filled with beautiful rocks, wonderful waterfalls small and big & the greenery. Be prepared to take a few stairs. (On the way and back). When we reached the end of the trail we were a little lost as it isn't a complete loop. We took the west elm trail back which was more woodsy than the first one. This is a peaceful place and camping would be lovely here (there's campgrounds.) aside from wild birds, we did encounter a rabid groundhog that was going in circles, so be wary (I mean this is the case for all wildlife parks!) Bonus, the bathrooms are super clean, probably the cleanest bathrooms I've ever witnessed. read more

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This is a lovely park, an hour and a half from Buffalo. Tons of different trails lots of parking plenty of areas where you can have a family gathering. The trails are Walmart and easy to follow. There is elevation here, so there are areas and trails and have a lot of stairs. read more

My husband and I camp here at least once a year and we have been for the last 11 years. There are three different hiking paths that all start and end in basically the same place. There is also a gorge swimming pool that is filled up for part of the summer. We really like it here. The only reason I am only giving it four stars is because the bathrooms are pretty gross and there are no quiet hours enforced when camping. Not a big deal in my mind, unless you have kids. read more

Stony Brook State Park - Fire at our campsite - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

Driving into Stony Brook State Park and pulling into the main parking lot, you get a sense of how well-used it is by campers, families, and other park goers. Pavilions, grills, picnic tables, playgrounds, tennis courts, locker rooms, and restroom facilities are all present and waiting. Just walking around behind the locker rooms gives a hint that this park is actually much more rustic than that first glance let's on... the swimming pool that is noted throughout the park is actually a part of the creek that can be dammed up and filled with about 8 feet of water! The images of the stone walls with the yellow paint show the emptied pool (swimming is closed in September). From there, heading up the West Trail is really not just a walk in the woods! A steep hill with unevenly placed steps is not for the novice hiker. However once you rise to the challenge of that first flight of stairs, the views are spectacular! A hike along the ridge of the gorge shows breathtaking stone cliffs and, in the fall, lovely foliage of all colors. Coming back down the Gorge Trail literally takes you right beside stunning water falls and right below those same stone walls you were just standing atop. The trail is maintained but left mostly natural, making you feel part of the landscape. It's a gorgeous trail and worth the trip out. Make sure you bring a camera! read more

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This is such a beautiful place. There are many trails to hike here. I definitely recommend visiting at least once.

A must see! I hiked the west rim to the gorge one week & then did the gorge to the east rim trail. So much fun, so many stairs but worth it! read more

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This is a beautiful state park and worth the drive to spend time at from anywhere in NY. It's one of my favorite state parks and I've been there once per year since the first time I visited the park. It's so peaceful and quiet there and great for hiking! read more

Stony Brook State Park - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

My son wanted to go here for hiking, I was like sure! We really like this park. I think I like this park better than Watkins Glens. I must said I kind of struggling climbing many stairs at west trails. I never struggled. I guess I just out of shape. You know what annoying after all those stairs my watch said 25 stairs! NO NO watch you are wrong!! It's a million stairs ok I'm dying! The views are spectacular. With all the color changing. Waterfalls! Oh I love my waterfalls. Some not easy to take pictures. Also the pictures doesn't do justice. Back to the trails, we only did half west trails until it connected to gorge trail. Because I wanted to see the waterfalls. This is one way hiking. They posted sign that you have to go to west trail to go down to gorge trails. But some people just do whatever anyway. It took us about almost 2 hrs. Since we stopped quite a bit for me to rest when first climbing and to takes zillion pictures. My son really like it too he wants to come back again one day. Well not my youngest... he spent half the time whining that he's hungry and he's done with the climbing. read more

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We did a camping weekend at Stony Brook with one of our friends and her son. My friend has been coming here for 30+ years (since she was a kid) and had glowing things to say prior to coming out here. She talked about going here like it was a religious experience. While work kept me from making the whole four day trip, the 2+ days I spent there were wonderful. On the one hand, there are a lot of people by my standard of "camping." On the other hand, for this style camping, the sites are good sized, the bathrooms are reasonable, and camping fees are not bad. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. For everything else, you're on your own. Dogs are allowed as long as they have proof of rabies vaccinations. There are quite a lot of dogs. So if your dog isn't a fan of other dogs, keep that in mind. The hiking trails are beautiful. There are nice playgrounds for the kids. Plus hiking along the creek is akin to the religious experience my friend described. An easy drive from Buffalo, I would definitely recommend camping here if this is the style camping you like. read more

What a hidden gem! Only 1.5 hrs from Buffalo and a beautiful drive. The Park is clean and well kept. Seven dollar entrance fee unless you are sixty-two or over, then it's free! Nice hike past three waterfalls in gorge with beautiful brook. Many stairs and uneven path but quite a nice one mile path. They also have other trails about one mile each. There is a beautiful natural swimming home near lower parking lot but we didn't have time to partake. Definitely will have to swim next time. Shaded picnic areas and large playground. Camping available close by. Call ahead to see if swimming hole is open as it is closed sometimes due to weather conditions. Make sure to check out the website ! read more

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Our neighbors came here last weekend and told us we absolutely had to make the drive for a day trip, it was well worth it. It was an hour and a half from home but wow they were right. We were mainly interested in the swimming area, as it's been way too hot for my liking outside. It was pretty busy when we got there, but the swimming area has three sections so it wasn't really too bad. The sections are divided by how deep the water is. They have the area staffed with lifeguards, which makes me feel better because water and rocks can make for some slippery business. We also hiked some of the gorge trail and checked out all the waterfalls. It was beautiful! We are excited to make the trip back here, and would like to look into camping at some point. read more

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It's a beautiful park, but make sure you call in advance. Due to lack of lifeguards we were unable to swim in the falls

One of my favorite places in the world. I am to visit every time I visit my in-laws in Dansville NY. It's about eight dollars per carload to enter. I believe the gate is left open, so if you come in before regular hours, no charge. But double check on this. What a fabulous park. The trail starts close to the parking area. Bring a bathing suit. At the start, there is a huge natural swimming pool built into the gorge itself, with lifeguard where you can enjoy swimming. The water was a shriveling 57F when I swam there in late July '17, cold yes but a have to do! The trail leads you along the water across three bridges and up several stone and wooden staircases eventually crossing over to a rim trail on the opposite side and coming back down to where you started. You can set out from parking lots situated at either the upper or lower parking entrances. There's a picnic area at the bottom and a campground at the top. I prefer to start out at the bottom. The trail from the pool area takes you along the water's edge, a rambling winding brook, fast flowing rapids, stunningly beautiful waterfalls with one over 30' high and 50' wide. There are several natural swimming holes that people frequent, while it is prohibited to swim outside of the lifeguarded pool, many people do take advantage of the natural beauty and go for a dip. Swimming upstream can lift the silt from the bottom which drifts downstream into the pool and obscures the lifeguards' view of the bottom, causing the pool to be closed for safety. Two photogenic, beautiful old stone bridges take you across the creek. If you are a photographer I think one of the most beautiful times to go here is after a rainstorm, when thousands of pockets on the natural stone walkway fill with water creating a very unique visual effect. The high gorge walls can obscure the sun if the sun is not directly overhead. There is lots of greenery and moss clinging to the moistened sidewalls and a few small streams trickle down. Enjoy! read more

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I haven't been to stony brook since probably about 4-5 years ago. Although it's rather cold outside currently. It was beautiful and most certainly not crowded. I'm obsessed with hiking, exploring, yoga, etc. No matter how cold or rough the trip may be, it is always worth it. Getting lost, helps you find your inner self. Besides this place is freaking gorges! (haha get it?) I 100% recommend SB. For reference, pictures taken on the gorge trail. read more

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Great spot. 1) It is just beautiful. Must visit. 2) Make sure to go to the Gorge Trail. That is where the waterfalls are located. 3) There are two giant waterfalls and tons of cool natural wonders inside this park. read more

Stony Brook State Park - Beautiful spot - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

Good nature,beautiful scenery, great place to take your family, picnic, Etc. Great swimming place to.

This is one of the neatest parks near Buffalo and lots of fun for everyone in the family. This park features a beautiful creek with loads of waterfalls, rapids, and even a natural swimming area at the base of the creek. The gorge trail winds past the beautiful creek and two rim trails give you the view from above and the surrounding countryside. This park has campgrounds as well and loads of places to park, have a picnic, and just enjoy some time outside. The water was a beautiful 67 degrees and so refreshing after a hike uphill. The park is located minutes from the 390 so it's easy to get to although there isn't much around in the way of food or other entertainment to be found. The park does charge an entry fee during warmer months and weekends as well. Great park and always worth the trip! I had a lovely time here and look forward to my next visit! read more

What a great, great way to spend a few hours! We hiked a combination of the West Rim Trail and the Gorge Trail over Memorial Day Weekend 2021, for a total of a little more than 2 miles .... but don't be deceived by the perceived brief workout -- there are a LOT of stairs, so your heart will be pumping once you get to the peak! Stunning views and you pass right by at least 3 beautiful waterfalls! Gorgeous stonework to make the steps in many of the areas, as well as the barrier-walls between you and the water. We took small backroads to drive through a lot of farmland in Honeoye Falls and Lima before arriving, and then enjoyed driving through Dansville after our hike (got to see where the Amrican Red CRoss was started -- thank you, Clara Barton!) And first use of our NY State Park Pass -- a Christmas gift to each other after exploring so many regional parks during the 2020 Pandemic. Using the pass as inspo to get out to explore even MORE local/regional/statewide parks! read more

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Great place for a family get away. We stayed in one of the new "rustic cabins" which are basically well built sheds with windows and bunk bed. I've been in Buffalo for over 30 years and just this year heard about this park recently. The scenery was great, lots of hiking in the water and waterfalls. They have signs to keep you out of the creek bed but those seem to be more of a suggestion rather than a rule. The natural swimming pool at the end of the mile or so hike was awesome. VERY cold at 52 degrees but awesome and staffed with lifeguards. There was a "baby pool" (2-3 foot deep section) of the swimming pool as well. Bathrooms were clean, park rangers patrolled to keep the place calm/quiet after 10pm and Dansville is 10 minutes away in case you forget something or run out of beer.....i mean soda. In addition to the natural activities, they have tennis courts, a snack bar, playground and a camp store. Very family friendly and your kids will LOVE IT....unless they are teenagers, they'll just be mad they can't charge their phone (which isn't a bad thing). read more

Stony Brook State Park - The natural swimming hole - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

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We stayed in the rustic cabin #25. We didn't have a reservation so when we got there they let us rent a cabin for 1 night even though the minimum is usually 2 nights. Cabins 25-27 are right next to each other in case you are going with a large group. The bathrooms were really close and convenient! They were very nice and can fit 4 people. There is no electricity but it's camping so there shouldn't be! Quiet hours are 10pm-7am and it seemed like that held true. There is a fire pit at each campsite. We hiked down the gorge trail which was awesome!!! Then took the east trail back up and it was hard!! It was mostly all up hill. I'd suggest maybe finding another route of you don't want a workout. The pool was closed due to a storm earlier in the week but looked really cool. read more

Stony Brook State Park - One of the waterfalls! - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

Great moderate hike with lots of gorges and waterfalls. Of course the more it rains the better the falls. We went this fall and the foliage against the waterfalls was spectacular! This is a great stop if you are on your way to Letchworth. There's a big swimming area if you go when it's warm out. read more

Made a day trip up here with my wife. We love exploring state parks in the area and our neighbors had recently made the trip out here to check out the swimming hole, and loved it. We met my mother, brother, and nephew here, as they love several hours away and it was a nice halfway point. My nephew is going to be 4 in December, and this was a great park for him. We first went to the swimming hole area. He's afraid to actually swim so we went to the shallowest section, which is about 2-3 feet deep. I love how it is divided by depth, it makes it really easy for families. The water was delightfully cold and it felt great on a hot summers day. We changed after swimming then decided to hike the trail that leads to the swimming hole. It was a nice easy hike. Many people were hiking through the creek area, though you are not supposed to. The waterfalls along this trail were awesome! My wife took tons of pictures. We definitely plan on coming back for a camping trip in the near future. read more

Very beautiful park nice hiking trails & swimming pools very cold water Easy to find and very well taken care of. They have a camping area

Great views,incredible waterfalls; unique hiking trails. family centered great playground for the kids. The picnic area you must get there early and parking fills up quickly. I would totally go back to this park if you get there before 10 you don't have to pay parking but it's worth the seven dollars read more

Beautiful park! Love the scenery and ambiance. The pool is gorgeous! There are plenty of sitting areas and spots to BBQ. read more

Stony Brook has been a family favorite for years. I haven't camped, but the hiking is amazing, and even when the swimming spot is closed, there are still plenty of opportunities to cool off, even for little ones. You are told by the parks department on a number of signs to not go in the water, but you'll probably have to because the place is just so gorgeous. read more

Stony Brook State Park - Perfection on a warm day! - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

Gorgeous park! Went for a 6 mile hike this past Sunday. Absolutely perfect weather and trails were not crowded. The gorge trail and east rim trail are moderately difficult but the stairs and hills on the west rim will leave you gasping for air. Each trail is about .85-1 mile long. There is a playground near the parking area where the trails start and a little food hut. There's also a campground and a store/showers for campers. read more

Stony Brook State Park - Just one of the waterfalls on the Gorge Trail. - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

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I love this park...it is beautiful and the swimming area is great with many levels at different depths that serve small kids to adults. Since it is filled with the stream that goes through the park it is nice and cold during the summer. The trails are also fun and challenging to hike (lots of stairs). The biggest selling point is that everyone there always seems happy read more

This is a great park with great hiking. It has everything you need. The only thing I would say is that to some extent, I feel safety could be an issue. As a Caucasian male and US citizen, I can tell you that if you are this demographic, that you will be a minority for sure as it feels like there are very few people there that are citizens of the US. There also seems to be a fair amount of native American tribal people at the park. This is all ok but in some cases I have felt that they did not like my presence just from the vibes I've gotten on a few occasions. There are also a fair number of shady people that are Caucasian hanging around too. It's just a general feeling of awareness, that's all. It's not like you have to watch your back or anything, it's just that you should try to just move on your way and don't make any eye contact that could seem confrontational. Just smile a lot and try to signal to others that you're friendly. Overall, still, a very nice place. read more

Love this park. Grew up doing different things during the different phases of my life in this park growing up. Have fond memories of my first 18 years visiting this place especially during HIGH school with my friends normally at night. Had some near misses with the cops on the way out a few times as I remember too read more

Ok so here's my take on Stony Brook...this being about 20 years after the last time I was here. East Rim trail: do not attempt if u : have balance issues, knee issues, hip issues or if ur NOT wearing hiking shoes or if u can't do a ton of cardio.. don't try it (ok if ur 22 and can do anything.. have at it) but I'm 50, am in good health, not particularly cardio... good.. and I got my a** kicked!! This trail is almost all up hill with quick straight shots to the next hill/steps & almost all covered with fairly large "pebbles". I followed the stupid caveman bf who does 36 mike bike rides, and I made it but... know this ahead of time....it's tuff!! The gorge trail back to our car.. a serious TREAT after that uphill climb. . Not only was it almost all downhill, it ran along the water and was just really nice.. yet tons of people were there, being that it was a gorgeous day in July. There lists a "swimming pool" on the entrance sign but I'm not sure if there is an actual POOL or if that is the roped off areas near the beginning of the gorge trail (there's a shallow area for youngsters and a separate Area that's deeper for older swimmers) I never saw an actual pool. There were, however, life guards at the swimming area and they were enforcing the "no diving" rule. I will admit, I'm glad I conquered the East Rim trail at my advanced age but I wish I'd known ahead of time what I was in for. Btw... bathrooms were exceptionally clean. I'll attempt that again.. that gorge trail is really gorgeous. read more

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Ice cream, trails and waterfalls. Campground, natural swimming hole, sledding in the winter.

A friend told us about this place so we decided to check it out today! This place is a gem for sure!!! Beautiful country drive with lots of great stands to stop at on the wY home for fresh veggies and fruit!!! Standard $7 to park We went late on a Wednesday afternoon and it was packed so I can't imagine what it looks like during the weekend! Lots of parking. Huge playground!! Many different things to keep all ages busy. They are locker rooms for showering and changing as well as bathrooms and a little shop for amenities. Tons of day sites with grills and picnic tables and most were filled!!! The swim hole is awesome!! A nature made pool in a beautiful gorge. They have the different depths marked and stairs walking in! There was an 8ft, 6ft, 4ft and a 2ft swimming area so great for all ages and they have life guards on duty. So once you are done there head up the trail. The signs say to stay on the trail but the well known secret is to wait until you are just around the bend out of the lifeguards view and walk the creek up! Tons of little pools and mini falls to play in or slide down. Also a couple big waterfalls that you can walk right up to!!! I recommend water shoes!! Only got to try one hiking trail and it was well marked and clean! Pets allowed in leash! Can't wait to go camping here so much fun!! read more

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This place is amazing !!!! I recommend going here if you want to get wet!! It's not that long of a hike but the views are outstanding! The best part is that you can get right in the water near the waterfalls!! Will be returning very soon !! Thank you New York for having places like this ! read more

Stony Brook State Park - One of many waterfalls ! - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

We went here with our 15 year old daughter. It is such a beautiful place. We started hiking the East Trail but quickly realized that you don't have much of a view of the water so we went back down and found the Gorge Trail. If you want to see the water and the waterfalls, I would recommend the Gorge Trail. You can walk on the riverbed and get up close to the waterfalls. It is really beautiful. We hiked up and down the river bed, we were able to get up close and experience the waterfalls. Hiking the Gorge is a hike, it isn't too difficult of a walk. There were a few people who were struggling with a stroller and weren't getting very far! I would recommend sturdy shoes that can get wet and wear comfortable clothing that can get wet. Have a backpack with some bottles of water and a snack. It is a carry in/carry out place so be prepared to carry out your trash so it stays beautiful for others! The pool at the base of the trail is so cool! Literally and figuratively! There are different depths and lifeguards on duty. This is a great park! read more

Beautiful park!! The coolest feature that is different from all other NY state parks I have visited is the natural stone pool. Unique for sure. They also didn't enforce no swimming rules elsewhere in the park. This was a bit disturbing at points but may be considered a bonus to some! read more

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This is an amazing place! It is only $7 a car but if you are a senior (like my momma) all state parks are free Mon-Friday. We went on a very hot Sunday so it was very crowded. However the staff was excellent and organized. They were staff directing you to a parking spot, wonderful lifeguards and even friendly maintenance staff. So event though it was an overflow crowd, it didnt feel too packed. (Except the bathroom facilities were pretty small) Also, I was impressed that there were still lots of picnic tables available at 12 noon. The swimming hole was amazing. It was organized into 4 foot, 5 feet etc deepness. You were even allowed to dive in. (Most places I go don't seem to allow diving) The water was refreshing- 62 degrees in early August. But that chill lifts your spirits! After the swim we took a great hike. You are instantly rewarded with gorgeous views. Dogs are allowed on the trail which I think is the best. You can wade into the water here along the trail at many points. This is a natural park so there are no hand rails and safety rails as I have grown accustomed to in our litigious society. All the more exciting! read more

Stony Brook State Park - Stone bridge along the Rim trail - Parks Near Me - Dansville, New York

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I loved visiting Stony Brook as it is a nice drive from where I went to college. The park's terrain is filled hilly woodlands, a deep gorge with rugged cliffs overlooking three waterfalls and fascinating rock formations. The park is open year round, but I suggest visiting on a hot summer day like Jen J. suggested. Swim, hike, relax and take in the beautiful scenery! read more

This so far exceeded my expectations! We thought it would just be a stop on our way to Letchworth, but we absolutely loved this park. It has a great playground, an amazing natural swimming area (cold water!) and gorgeous hiking trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels. We had a blast wading at the base of the falls. Beautiful place, can't wait to go back! read more