At Chenango Valley State Park you can enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, dining, and even golf!

This beautiful area is a great stop for a hike, picnic, or a full camping trip.  There is so much to do at this park, trust us, you will want to spend as much time here as possible. There are activities and amenities for the whole family to enjoy including a splash pad, swimming area, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, fishing, boating, plenty of picnic areas, pavilions for shaded gatherings, and even an 18-hole golf course with a restaurant. 

Chenango Valley State Park is an ice age wonder. Its two kettle lakes, Lily and Chenango, were created when the last glacier retreated and left behind huge chunks of buried ice, which eventually melted to form the lakes and bog. Birdwatchers may glimpse woodpeckers, nuthatches, warblers, and thrushes along woodland trails, and herons, ducks, and kingfishers lakeside. Fishermen will find trout, bass, perch, and bullhead in the lake. Campers can choose from the park's 184 campsites and 24 cabins; golfers will appreciate the Chenango Valley State Park Golf Course. During the winter months, sledding and cross-country ski trails attract visitors as well. 

The park is set up so that the main road loops around it, which makes it easy to navigate. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful!  In terms of hiking, the trails aren't very well marked, but once we found them they were beautiful and definitely worth exploring. You will want to make sure to grab park maps when checking in, though.

Our favorite aspect of Chenango Valley, and which we believe sets it above other parks, is the swimming area at the lake. It is so relaxing for the whole family. Walk-in spots for little ones to play are abundant and there is a separated deep swimming area, with a diving board and swirly slide, which were huge hits for all of our family members. However, to be able to swim in the deep end, kids must take a swim test with one of the on-duty lifeguards. We recommend bringing blankets and towels for drying off, but to also lay back in the grassy area. The bathhouse has modern changing facilities and there is also a snack bar and camp store on site.  

Both the campgrounds and rentals cabins are reasonably priced. The site we stayed in was pretty rocky in some spots, so be sure to have proper shoes and sleep cushions or air mattresses. The whole park is well kept, including clean bathrooms with showers.  

The park is pet-friendly too, so you can bring your furry friends camping, hiking, swimming—the park is your playground. 

Whether you spend an afternoon or a week here, it's sure to be a fun adventure for the whole family.

*Chris C Chen; photo provided by Wikipedia Commons; CC BY-SA 2.0*