New York’s perhaps known best for its chaotic cities and rolling autumn colors, but it harbors some just plain amazing rock formations. Depending on whether your thing is picture-perfect vistas, unusual shapes, or earthy wonders, these places belong on your trip list.
1. Balanced Rock, North Salem
Location: North Salem, Westchester County
Features: An enormous boulder that appears balanced precariously atop a small stone.
Hike: Take a brief walk from Titicus Road to experience this defying gravity sight.
2. Indian Head, Adirondack Park
Location: Keene, Adirondack Mountains
Features: Profile-shaped rock outcropping looking out over Lower Ausable Lake.
Hike: Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail is an 11-mile round trip featuring stunning vistas.
3. Chimney Bluffs, Lake Ontario
Location: Wolcott’s Chimney Bluffs State Park
Features: Bluffs of eroded clay jutting out of Lake Ontario and rising up as chimneys and pinnacles.
Hike: A 1.3-mile Bluff Trail provides spectacular views of the formations and the lake.
4. Palisades Cliffs, Hudson River
Location: Along the Hudson River, Rockland County
Features: Basalt cliffs nearly 200 million years old with steep faces that provide stunning vistas of the Hudson.
Hike: The Giant Stairs Loop is a rugged 4-mile hike for seasoned adventurers.
5. Devil’s Path, Catskills
Location: Catskill Mountains, Greene County
Features: A rocky trail with rough, jagged peaks and verdant surroundings.
Hike: The Devil’s Path is a strenuous 25-mile trail famous for its difficult terrain and spectacular vistas.
6. Rock City Park, Olean
Location: Olean, Western New York
Features: Enormous quartz conglomerate boulders, such as narrow crevices and beautiful formations.
Hike: A 1-mile loop traverses the park’s most spectacular rock formations.
7. Storm King Mountain, Hudson Highlands
Location: Cornwall, Orange County
Features: Unusual rock formations along ridges with panoramic views of the Hudson River.
Hike: The Storm King Trail is a moderate 2.5-mile loop with unforgettable scenery.
8. Little Falls’ Moss Island, Mohawk Valley
Location: Little Falls, Herkimer County
Features: Gigantic potholes carved by glacial meltwaters thousands of years ago.
Hike: The Erie Canalway Trail passes by this geological gem.
9. Stone Valley, Colton
Location: Colton, St. Lawrence County
Features: Boulders scattered along the Raquette River, surrounded by rushing waters and forests.
Hike: 3-mile loop along the Stone Valley Trail, ideal for nature lovers.
10. Perkins Memorial Tower Rocks at Bear Mountain
Location: Bear Mountain State Park, Rockland County
Features: Exposed granite outcroppings and spectacular summit views of the Hudson Valley.
Hike: Major Welch Trail and Appalachian Trail create a 4-mile loop to the summit.
11. Shawangunk Ridge (The Gunks), Ulster County
Location: Near New Paltz
Features: White cliffs that are striking and loved by climbers and hikers.
Hike: The 9-mile Millbrook Ridge Trail is a scenic hike along this ridge.
12. Watkins Glen Gorge, Finger Lakes
Location: Watkins Glen State Park, Schuyler County
Features: A series of rock gorges and formations with 19 waterfalls along the trail.
Hike: The 2-mile Gorge Trail is suitable for families and is very scenic.
From dreamlike forms to face-melting cliffs, New York’s rock marvels show that there is more to the Empire State than you would have guessed. Which of these are you going to visit next?
