Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park is a museum and memorial located in Buffalo, New York.


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Summary

Visitors can explore several decommissioned military vessels, including the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and the USS Croaker. The park also features a collection of military artifacts and exhibits that showcase the history of the United States Armed Forces.

Some good reasons to visit the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park include its unique collection of military vessels, its interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about American military history, and the opportunity to see military artifacts up close.

Specific points of interest to see in the park include the USS Little Rock, the only guided missile cruiser permanently stationed on the Great Lakes, and the USS The Sullivans, which honors the five Sullivan brothers who died in World War II. Visitors can also tour the USS Croaker, a World War II submarine that saw action in the Pacific.

Interesting facts about the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park include that it was established in 1976 as a bicentennial project, and that it is one of the largest inland naval parks in the United States. The park is also home to a restored Vietnam War-era helicopter and a Korean War-era MASH tent.

The best time of year to visit the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is open for tours. The park is open daily from May through October, and on weekends in April and November. Admission fees vary depending on the age of the visitor and the type of tour they choose.

       

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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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