High Tor State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
High Tor State Park in New York is a beautiful nature destination that offers visitors a range of outdoor activities and stunning scenic views.
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Summary
The park covers over 1,200 acres of land, including steep cliffs, deep gorges, and peaceful valleys. There are plenty of good reasons to visit High Tor State Park, including hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and fishing.
One of the most popular attractions in the park is the High Tor Wildlife Management Area, which is home to a variety of wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. Visitors can also explore the park's numerous hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The trails range from easy to challenging, so there's something for hikers of all skill levels.
Another interesting point of interest in High Tor State Park is the park's historic grist mill, which was built in the 1800s and served as a local landmark for many years. Today, visitors can explore the mill and learn about its important role in the area's history.
In terms of interesting facts about the park, High Tor State Park is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, which is known for its beautiful scenery and abundant outdoor activities. The park is also home to a variety of rare plant species, including several types of ferns and wildflowers.
The best time of year to visit High Tor State Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities any time of the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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