Fall for Free: Guided Nature Hikes in Niagara Falls USA

With various difficulty levels, hiking in Niagara Falls USA can be easy, affordable and fun for the entire family, including your four-legged furry friend!

If you’re seeking a guided hike, or want to learn more about the great outdoors, partake in one (or all) of the Niagara Region Interpretive Programs Office activities offered this fall and winter. Witness the beautiful fall foliage on a number of hiking trails, all while enjoying a leisurely workout. All pre-scheduled programs are free and intended for individuals and families. Register for one (or more!) of the following hikes here. For more information, call 716-282-5154.

These free scheduled programs are intended for individuals and families. Groups cannot be accommodated on these programs; for information on group programs, call 716-282-5154 or 716-549-1050.

September 4: Golden Hour at Golden Hill

Golden Hill State Park, 9691 Lower Lake Road, Barker
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist for a stroll through Golden Hill State Park during peak goldenrod bloom season. This program will offer fantastic photo opportunities along with some wildlife viewing opportunities.

September 5: Whirlpool Day of Fun!

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Make your way to the Whirlpool Area at Niagara Falls State Park anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM for a variety of fun activities and crafts!

September 5: Hike Through History

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Discover the important people and events that created and protected our nation’s oldest state park on this guided walk.

September 6: Morning Wellness Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Start off your week with a wellness walk in one of the most picturesque parks in our region!

September 11: GORGEous Views

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Take a journey along the rim of our beautiful Niagara Gorge and explore all its spectacular views with a Park Naturalist.

September 12: GORGEous Wildflowers

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Search for the emerging fall wildflowers and take in views of the Niagara Gorge as we hike along the trails in Artpark State Park.

September 12: Wildflower Watercolor Series

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for this recurring watercolor series where we will create nature journals based upon wildflowers we see throughout the season. It is not necessary to be present at every session to enjoy the program.

September 19: Goat Island Walk (Dog-Friendly)

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Join an educator on a walk around Goat Island to experience all the beauty of Niagara Falls. Dogs are welcome. All dogs must be up to date on immunizations and leashed.

September 20: Watercolor at DeVeaux

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Enjoy a guided walk through DeVeaux Woods in search of inspiration for a watercolor painting. All materials provided.

September 20: Firemaking 101

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist for an introduction to making a campfire. Visitors will learn fire-building techniques and get a chance to use a Ferrocerium rod (modern flint and steel) to create their own fire by hand.

October 3: Hike Through History

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Discover the important people and events that created and protected our nation’s oldest state park on this guided walk.

October 9: Great Lake Exploration

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. From the Niagara to the St Lawrence, learn what makes our pocket of the Great Lakes so special! Take a walk along the shoreline of Lake Ontario and into the woods to learn fun facts about our waterways.

October 10: Fossil Frolic

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Take a hike through the upper and lower gorge trails while learning about the lifeforms that lived in our region over 400 million years ago!

October 10: Wildflower Watercolor Series

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for this recurring watercolor series where we will create nature journals based upon wildflowers we see throughout the season. It is not necessary to be present at every session to enjoy the program.

October 11: Gorgeous Views Foliage Hike

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Join us on a hike down to the Whirlpool Flats and immerse yourself in the stunning fall foliage contrasted with the blue/green water of the lower Niagara River and subsequent rapids.

October 17: Fall Stroll in the Park

Reservoir State Park, 5777 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Meander along the accessible pathway around Reservoir State Park as we welcome in the cooler temperatures and changing leaves!

October 17: Owl Prowl

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Explore the hidden trails of Fort Niagara with a Park Naturalist in search of elusive owls!

October 18: Great Gorge Route Trolley Hike

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join a Park naturalist on a gorge hike following a section of track from the old Great Gorge Route Trolley. Visitors can expect to learn about the former trolley system that ran through the Niagara Gorge and enjoy some cool views of the Niagara River.

October 23: Dark Side of the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. It’s not always rainbows and sunshine at Niagara Falls… View a quick presentation and take a walk around the park to learn about the Dark Side of the Falls.

October 25: Fall Foliage Walk

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Take a scenic stroll along the Niagara Gorge rim at Whirlpool Area and take in the beautiful views of fall foliage.