Buffalo and its surrounding areas have plenty of inspiring natural wonders to behold – Niagara Falls, Letchworth, and Lake Erie to name a few – but there are several lesser-known hidden gems in and around the city. Whether they require a hike through the woods or a ride through the country to check out, these five incredible natural wonders hiding around Buffalo are definitely worth the trip!
- Tifft Nature Preserve
amerune - Flickr Operated by the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve is home to a 75-acre marsh, multiple ponds, and a stream. Tifft is a great place to take in local wildlife such as birds, waterfowl, reptiles, beavers, and white-tail deer. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails and boardwalks through the cattail-filled marshes, birding, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
- Beaver Meadow Audubon Center
Anthony Sokolik - Flickr This 324 acre nature preserve in North Java has plenty for visitors to experience. Created by glaciers, the preserve is home to beavers as well as other wildlife. Explorers can walk along the wetland boardwalks or explore the eight miles of wooded trails. Keep your eye on the sky for the hawks that lurk above the property!
- Eternal Flame Falls
Kim Carpenter - Flickr We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Chestnut Ridge is a must-visit in WNY. Deep inside the Park lies one of Buffalo’s most sought after wonders, the “Eternal Flame.” After hiking down a trail, visitors will find themselves along the Shale Creek Preserve where methane gas finds its way out through fissures in the creekbed surface. Pro tip: the Eternal Flame isn’t exactly eternal. If you get there and don’t see the flame, it can be easily re-lit with a lighter.
- Royalton Ravine County Park
Patricia Kane - Flickr Located in Gasport, this park features a hiking trail, waterfalls, and the longest wooden suspension bridge in Western New York. Fun fact: the remains of the home of Belva Ann Lockwood, the first woman to run for President, can be found in this park!
- Rock City Park
Doug Kerr - Flickr
Doug Kerr - Flickr While this park is a bit of a trip from Buffalo, it is definitely worth the drive. Located in the Enchanted Mountains of Olean, Rock City is the largest exposure of quartz conglomerate (aka BIG ROCKS). Visitors can travel along the 45 minute path for scenic views from below and above, the overlook among the hills is gorgeous, and don’t forget to snap a few totally Instagram-worthy photos of the famous balancing rock!
What did we miss? Share your favorite Buffalo hidden gems with us!
amerune - Flickr
Operated by the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve is home to a 75-acre marsh, multiple ponds, and a stream. Tifft is a great place to take in local wildlife such as birds, waterfowl, reptiles, beavers, and white-tail deer. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails and boardwalks through the cattail-filled marshes, birding, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
Anthony Sokolik - Flickr
This 324 acre nature preserve in North Java has plenty for visitors to experience. Created by glaciers, the preserve is home to beavers as well as other wildlife. Explorers can walk along the wetland boardwalks or explore the eight miles of wooded trails. Keep your eye on the sky for the hawks that lurk above the property!
Kim Carpenter - Flickr
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Chestnut Ridge is a must-visit in WNY. Deep inside the Park lies one of Buffalo’s most sought after wonders, the “Eternal Flame.” After hiking down a trail, visitors will find themselves along the Shale Creek Preserve where methane gas finds its way out through fissures in the creekbed surface. Pro tip: the Eternal Flame isn’t exactly eternal. If you get there and don’t see the flame, it can be easily re-lit with a lighter.
Patricia Kane - Flickr
Located in Gasport, this park features a hiking trail, waterfalls, and the longest wooden suspension bridge in Western New York. Fun fact: the remains of the home of Belva Ann Lockwood, the first woman to run for President, can be found in this park!
Doug Kerr - Flickr
While this park is a bit of a trip from Buffalo, it is definitely worth the drive. Located in the Enchanted Mountains of Olean, Rock City is the largest exposure of quartz conglomerate (aka BIG ROCKS). Visitors can travel along the 45 minute path for scenic views from below and above, the overlook among the hills is gorgeous, and don’t forget to snap a few totally Instagram-worthy photos of the famous balancing rock!
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