Summer Fun: Free Guided Nature Hikes

Discover your sense of adventure and participate in a free guided nature hike this summer. Led by an informative park naturalist, experience Niagara Falls USA’s state parks and learn about the unique flora and fauna that surrounds. Register for one (or more!) of the following hikes here. For more information, call 716-282-5154.

June 14: Fire Making 101

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn the basics of how to make a fire with a park naturalist in this hands-on program. Participants will get a chance to use a ferrocerium rod, our modern-day flint and steel, to make their own fire. For ages 8 and up.

June 14: 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 in this guided walk.

June 20: Summer Solstice Tails on Trails

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Bring your furry friend on this casual walk to enjoy the longest day of the year! It is not necessary to have a dog to participate, however, all dogs must be up to date on immunizations, leashed, and under control.

June 21: Birding at Wilson Tuscarora State Park

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join an educator as we take a casual birding stroll along Lake Ontario at Wilson Tuscarora State Park.

June 21: To the Rapids and Back

Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join an educator for a hike to the north end of Trail 6 at the very bottom of the Niagara Gorge.

June 21: 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 in this guided walk.

June 24: Pride Walk at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join an educator on a walk over to Luna Island on the 14th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act being passed in New York State!

June 28: 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 seek of inspiration for a watercolor painting. All materials provided.

June 28: 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 in this guided walk.

July 4: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

July 4: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 5: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

July 5: Birds of the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Join an educator on a beginner birding walk along the gorge to Freedom Plaza and learn a little more about the species we find in our backyards!

July 5: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 6: 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 in this guided walk.

July 11: Fishing Fundamentals

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Join us to learn about the fish that call Lake Ontario and the Niagara River home! Learn how to tie some knots and practice your casting with a game of Backyard Bass.

July 11: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

July 11: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 12: Whirlpool Flats Hike

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Are you ready to hike down to the Whirlpool Flats to see one of the most GORGEous views our parks have to offer? If so, then join our educators on a guided hike along the Whirlpool Rapids trail! Make sure to bring proper footwear and plenty of water!

July 12: Kites in the Park

Reservoir State Park, 5777 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls
2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Stop by anytime between 2:30 and 4:00 PM to decorate your own free kite and test it out on the park! Kite flying is weather dependent.

July 12: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 13: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

July 13: 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 in this guided walk.

July 18: Journaling Through Nature

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Learn about nature journaling and sound mapping in the nature center before venturing into the park to start your very own nature journal!

July 18: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

July 18: Hydropower and Early Industry

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Walks from the Welcome Center to the Schoellkopf Elevator and then to the ALCOA Ruins. We will stop at appropriate places to talk about key points.

July 18: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 19: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

July 19: Trees of the Gorge

Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Take a walk with an educator to learn about trees and the species we can find in the gorge!

July 19: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 20: 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 in this guided walk.

July 23: SNIFFari Through the Park

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Join us for a walk focusing on enrichment for our furry friends with many stops along the trail to let the dogs get their fill of new scents found in the park as we discuss some of the natural phenomenon and history surrounding the area.

July 25: Exploration Experts

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Venture throughout the park on this guided scavenger hunt. Talk about different things to look for when identifying flora and fauna and win a small prize!

July 25: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

July 25: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 26: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

July 27: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

July 27: 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 in this guided walk.

August 1: Beneficial Bugs

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Visit the nature center in Fort Niagara State Park to learn about the bugs that help nature thrive, and how they benefit us!

August 1: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

August 1: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 2: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

August 2: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 3: Great Gorge Trolley Hike

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist on a gorge hike that follows the original route of the Great Gorge Trolley that originally ran from 1895-1935.

August 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 in this guided walk.

August 8: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

August 8: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 9: Whirlpool Flats Hike

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Are you ready to hike down to the Whirlpool Flats to see one of the most GORGEous views our parks have to offer? If so, then join our educators on a guided hike along the Whirlpool Rapids trail! Make sure to bring proper footwear and plenty of water!

August 9: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 10: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

August 10: 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 in this guided walk.

August 15: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

August 15: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 16: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

August 16: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 17: 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 in this guided walk.

August 18: Sunset Photo Walk

Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist on an evening photography walk along the Niagara Gorge.

August 22: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

August 22: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 23: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 24: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

August 24: 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 in this guided walk.

August 27: SNIFFari Through the Park

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Join us for a walk focusing on enrichment for our furry friends with many stops along the trail to let the dogs get their fill of new scents found in the park as we discuss some of the natural phenomenon and history surrounding the area.

August 29: Mammals of New York

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Play a guessing game to learn about mammals we have in New York State! Feel thei furs and take a closer look at their skulls while we explore our outdoor neighbors.

August 29: Botanizing on Goat Island

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Walk from the arch into the woodland trail to talk about some of the interesting plants and some of the botanical surveys of the past.

August 29: Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a casual stroll to Prospect Point and around Goat Island to view the Falls and explore what makes this park so unique!

August 29: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 30: Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us educators on a weekly walk along the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park to learn more about the history and ecology of our gorge parks!

August 30: Goat Island Evening Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Explore and experience the beauty of Niagara Falls as day fades to night on a guided tour.

August 31: 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 in this guided walk.