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 20: Wellness Walk

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

June 20: Gorge Rim to River Level

Niagara Falls State Park - Devil's Hole Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Hike with educators to learn about the Niagara Gorge by experiencing it! We will hike down Devil’s Hole stairs, up the Whirlpool stairs and back along the rim trail.

June 20: Last Call for Spring

Niagara Falls State Park - Devil's Hole Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Take a leisurely, wildflower-focused stroll along the gorge on the last day of spring!

June 27: 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.

June 27: Artpark Gorge Hike

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Join a park naturalist for a gorge hike through Artpark State Park. Visitors will get to experience the beautiful Niagara River and its scenery on this guided hike.

June 28: Hike Through History

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join a park naturalist on a hike to learn about the rich history of Niagara Falls State Park!

June 30: Bridging the Gap

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Walk with an educator to Freedom Plaza and back to learn about the history of the engineers, daredevils, and freedom seekers who bridged the gap between the opposite sides of the gorge.

July 3: Hike Through History

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join a park naturalist for a walk through Fort Niagara State Park to learn about the rich history that lies within its bounds.

July 3: Botany Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Walk along the trails to discuss some of the interesting plants and some of the botanical surveys of the past.

July 3: 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 at night on a guided tour.

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 at night on a guided tour.

July 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.

July 10: Mammals of New York

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn about the animals that call New York and this park home! View and feel furs and skulls of different animals and learn interesting facts about them and their characteristics.

July 10: Mammal Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Explore the different mammals found in the Niagara Region.

July 10: 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 at night on a guided tour.

July 11: Pictures and Paints at Artpark

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Take a tour of Artpark with an educator, snapping pictures and learning more about the art and history around you before sitting down to use your photos as inspiration for your watercolor painting.

July 11: Wildflower Watercolor Series

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
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.

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 at night on a guided tour.

July 12: Fairy Houses at DeVeaux

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Join us for a short walk through the old-growth forest of DeVeaux Woods before making your own fairy houses out of natural materials! Materials will be provided.

July 12: 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.

July 16: A Good Book and A Cool Breeze

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Take a seat under the Schoellkopf Pavilion to talk about your book of choice, followed by an hour of silent reading.

July 17: Insect Safari

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. From gardens to inside, insects are everywhere! Step outside with a park naturalist to learn about some of the bugs we find commonly in our parks and around our nature center.

July 17: Birding Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Take a stroll around the park in search of the different bird species found in the area.

July 17: 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 at night on a guided tour.

July 18: Stop and Listen — A Mindful Meander

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. On World Listening Day, join an educator for a walk down the rim trail while we listen to all the different sounds around us.

July 18: Feathers and Flowers

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Take a walk in Artpark State Park to look for summer flowers and feathered friends along the lower Niagara River.

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 at night on a guided tour.

July 19: Not Just Honeybees

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Take a short stroll along the no-mow meadows of the Gorgeview trail while learning more about our native pollinators. Afterwards, learn how to make your own flower pressings.

July 19: 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.

July 20: Walking Through Wilson

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join a park naturalist for a nature walk at Wilson Tuscarora State Park. Visitors can expect a relaxing walk through the forest while we look at natural flora and fauna found in the park.

July 24: Stitching Nature

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Curious about embroidery, but don’t know where to start? Join crafty park naturalists for a simple introduction to embroidery and create a nature-inspired piece!

July 24: Niagara Gorge Ecology Stroll

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Learn more about the ecology of the gorge from a park naturalist!

July 24: 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 at night on a guided tour.

July 25: Pictures and Paints at Devil's Hole

Niagara Falls State Park - Devil's Hole Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Walk partway down the rim trail with an educator, snapping pictures and learning more about the nature and history around you before sitting down to use your photos as inspiration for your watercolor painting!

July 25: Kites in the Park

Reservoir State Park, 5777 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls
2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Stob by anytime between 2:30 and 4:00 PM to decorate your own free kite and test it out in the park! Kite flying is weather-dependent. We will be using Shelter C, which is by the playground and parking can be accessed on Witmer Road.

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 at night on a guided tour.

July 26: Along the Mighty Niagara

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hike down to the Whirlpool Flats while learning more about the mighty waters of the Niagara River! Nature journals will be passed out at the Whirlpool Flats for those who want to write about their experience.

July 26: 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.

July 31: Journaling Through Nature

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Pause and let nature guide you. Create your own nature journal on this program to record your findings, sketch your surroundings, or catalog your experience.

July 31: Snake Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Explore the different snakes found in the Niagara Region.

July 31: 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 at night on a guided tour.

August 1: Niagara History Hike

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Take a challenging hiking loop with an educator to learn more about the history of industry and power that once stood beneath your hiking boots.

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 at night on a guided tour.

August 2: Pictures and Paints at DeVeaux

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Take a tour of DeVeaux Woods with an educator, snapping pictures and learning more about the nature around you before sitting down to use your photos as inspiration for your watercolor painting!

August 2: Great Gorge to Gorgeview

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Adventure along part of the old railway in the gorge to learn about the ecosystems around us before adventuring up the stairs and strolling along the gorgeview paths.

August 2: 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.

August 2: Tails on Trails at DeVeaux Woods

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Bring your furry friend on this casual walk through the new and old-growth woods at DeVeaux while discovering the park’s history and what critters might call this park home.

August 6: Evening Ride Along the Gorge

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Get out into nature this week by taking your bike out for a ride with an educator along 9 miles of paved pathway! Bikes are not provided, and helmets are required.

August 7: Birders Paradise

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. From the lake to the woods, walk with a park naturalist to look and listen for the many different species of birds that call Fort Niagara State Park home!

August 7: Climate Science Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Take a stroll around the park to discuss current climate science topics.

August 7: 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 at night on a guided tour.

August 8: To the Rapids and Back!

Niagara Falls State Park - Devil's Hole Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hike with an educator to the northernmost end of the river level trail! Journals will be handed out for those who want to reflect on their experience along this lesser-traveled trail.

August 8: Wildflower Watercolor Series

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
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.

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 at night on a guided tour.

August 9: DIY Bee Hotels

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Learn a little more about our native bees before getting to build your very own bee hotel! They’re like birdhouses but for our solitary bees!

August 9: 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.

August 14: Fire Starting 101

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join a park naturalist to learn how to start a campfire using flint and steel and make a fire starter to take with you!

August 14: 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 at night on a guided tour.

August 15: Color Walk

Artpark, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Hike the upper and lower trail loop while learning about pigments and their role in nature. Bring along a phone or camera and get assigned a color to find to take pictures of!

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 at night on a guided tour.

August 16: Eco-Printing with Leaves

Niagara Falls State Park - Devil's Hole Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Join an educator for a demonstration on how to eco-print, a dyeing technique that transfers colors from nature to paper or fabric! Then learn how to use leaves to ID trees while waiting for the dyeing process to finish.

August 16: 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.

August 21: Frog or Toad?

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Frog or toad? I don’t know! Come by the Nature Center to learn all about our local amphibians – their identifying characteristics, their habits and their habitats!

August 21: 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 at night on a guided tour.

August 22: Pictures and Paints at Whirlpool

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Walk partway down the rim trail with an educator, snapping pictures and learning more about the foliage of the Niagara Gorge before sitting down to use your photos as inspiration for your watercolor painting!

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 at night on a guided tour.

August 23: Let's Go Birding!

Niagara Falls State Park - Whirlpool Area, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Go birding along the gorge with an educator while identifying all the species we can along the way! This program is intended for beginners.

August 23: 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.

August 28: Fintastic Fish

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn with a park naturalist about the different fish of Niagara while learning to cast out a line, or learn to tie a simple fly or fly fishing!

August 28: River Stroll at the Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Take a stroll around the park and along the river to discuss the importance of the Great Lakes and the role Niagara Falls plays.

August 28: 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 at night on a guided tour.

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 at night on a guided tour.

August 30: 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.