Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
35 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
Outdoors
Hiking near Rochester
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Rochester, closest first.
25places to hike
35 mito the closest
April–June, August–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
40 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
46 mi east · Fish and Wildlife Service
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
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30 to 75 miles (6)
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Almond Lake
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Potomac Group Campground
Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
75 miles and farther (19)
Cowanesque Lake
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
South Shore Recreation Area
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Tompkins
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Lawrence Recreation Area
Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Ives Run
Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Whitney Point
Broome County operates Dorchester Park on Whitney Point Lake. Day use facilities include a beach, boat launch, picnic area, pavilions and open play areas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Lambs Creek Recreation Area
Lambs Creek Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Tioga Lake, just north of the borough of Mansfield, PA. The recreation area is easily accessible from US Route 15 and offers a great location for picnicking, hiking and biking.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
Willow Bay
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tracy Ridge
Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Water sports
Fort Stanwix National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes.
- Biking
- Hiking
- History
- Picnicking
Kiasutha
Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Red Bridge (Pa)
Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Allegheny Reservoir
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
East Branch Campground
East Branch Campground is located at East Branch Lake in Northeastern Elk County. East Branch Lake offers an excellent freshwater fishery as well as other recreational opportunities from hiking, boating, and picnicking.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Water Activities
- Wildlife viewing
East Branch Clarion River Lake
Elk State Park is located at this lake in scenic western Pennslyvania, 14 miles north east of Johnsonburg.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Twin Lakes (Pa)
Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with…
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Farnsworth Cabin
Farnsworth Cabin is tucked away in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the stone cabin is conveniently located 8.5 miles northwest of Sheffield.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Hearts Content Recreation Area
Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a patch of planted pine forest.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Winter sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Rochester. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Rochester?
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 35 miles southwest of Rochester as the crow flies. Next are Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (40 mi) and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (46 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Rochester?
Based on Rochester’s average highs, April–June, August–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.