Buckhorn Island State Park

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Last Updated: December 6, 2025

Buckhorn Island State Park is located in western New York and offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities for visitors.


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Summary

The park is situated on an island that is surrounded by the Niagara River and several small ponds, making it a prime location for fishing and boating. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse ecosystem with several rare bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Visitors can also hike or bike on the trails throughout the park, which offer scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape. In the winter, the park is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

One of the main attractions at Buckhorn Island State Park is the Nature Center, which offers educational programs and exhibits about the local wildlife and ecosystem. The park also has several picnic areas and a playground for families to enjoy.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was once home to a Native American tribe known as the Neutral Nation, and was later used for farming and as a hunting ground by European settlers. In the 20th century, the island was used for military training during World War II.

The best time of year to visit Buckhorn Island State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and visitors can enjoy water activities like boating and swimming. However, the park is open year-round and offers different attractions and activities depending on the season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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