Chimney Bluffs State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Chimney Bluffs State Park is a beautiful park located in Wayne County, New York.


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Summary

It is a unique geological formation that features towering clay formations, which were created by the erosion of drumlins, a type of hill. The park offers picturesque views of Lake Ontario and is a great place for hiking, picnicking, fishing, and boating.

Some good reasons to visit Chimney Bluffs State Park are its stunning natural beauty and unique geological features. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds, which makes it a great place for birdwatching. Visitors can explore the park's miles of hiking trails, and the park also offers guided tours and educational programs, making it a great place for families and groups.

Some specific points of interest to see at Chimney Bluffs State Park include the park's cliffs and steep gullies. Visitors can explore these features via hiking trails that wind through the park's forests and along the Lake Ontario shoreline. There are also numerous picnic areas and a playground for children.

Interesting facts about Chimney Bluffs State Park include that it was formed over 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. The park's unique geological features make it a popular destination for geology enthusiasts and researchers. The park is also a popular spot for fishing, with Lake Ontario offering a variety of fish species to catch.

The best time of year to visit Chimney Bluffs State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park's facilities and programs are fully operational. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy its natural beauty during any season. It is important to note that the park's trails can be slippery and dangerous during wet or icy conditions, so visitors should use caution when hiking.

       

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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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