Harris Hill Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Harris Hill Park is a public park located in the state of New York, United States.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a wide range of recreational activities and scenic views.

One of the main reasons to visit Harris Hill Park is for the opportunity to go hang gliding. The park is known to be one of the best places in the country for this sport, with its ideal topography and wind conditions making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Visitors can also hike, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the park.

The park is home to several points of interest, including a hang gliding launch site, a memorial to aviation pioneer Glenn Hammond Curtiss, and a museum dedicated to the history of the sport of gliding. In addition, the park offers beautiful views of the Chemung River Valley and the rolling hills of the surrounding area.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was once a landing site for early aviation experiments, and that the park's signature glider was used by Amelia Earhart in her own gliding experiments. Additionally, the park has been the site of numerous international hang gliding competitions.

The best time of year to visit Harris Hill Park is generally considered to be during the peak hang gliding season, which typically runs from May to October. However, the park is open year-round and offers different attractions and activities depending on the season. For example, in the winter months, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

       

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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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