Genesee County Park And Forest

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Genesee County Park and Forest is a popular destination in the state of New York for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

The park covers an area of over 4300 acres and is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including several rare and endangered ones.

Visitors to Genesee County Park and Forest can enjoy a number of activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and picnicking. The park has several trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife.

Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Interpretive Nature Center, which features exhibits about the natural history of the area, as well as a butterfly garden and bird blind. Visitors can also check out the park's two ponds, which are stocked with fish and are popular spots for fishing and boating.

Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was originally a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s, and that it was designated a New York State Bird Conservation Area in 2012. The park is also home to several rare orchid species, as well as the federally endangered Indiana bat.

The best time of year to visit Genesee County Park and Forest depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are great times for hiking and wildlife viewing, while summer is ideal for camping and fishing. Winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular in the park.

       

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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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