Embrace the spring season and get outdoors in Niagara Falls with these free guided hikes.
So long, winter blues! With warmer temperatures on the horizon, there’s no better time to soak in the change of seasons and opt outdoors. Register for a free guided nature hike at one of the many state parks in Niagara Falls USA this spring! Registration is required via phone, 716-282-5154.
These free scheduled programs are intended for individuals and families. Groups cannot be accommodated on these programs; for information on group programs, call 716-282-5154 or 716-549-1050.
April 1: Wetland Happenings
Joseph Davis State Park, 4143 Lower River Road, Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Explore the park searching for key wetland characteristics! Listen for frogs and toads as they come out of hibernation, or search for beaver chews along the trails!
April 5: Suburban Ecology – What’s in Your Backyard?
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We can be naturalists every day, whether it is in the backyard or on the way to work. Let’s learn to appreciate the nature that is all around us!
April 7: Amphibious Adventure
Joseph Davis State Park, 4143 Lower River Road, Lewiston
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. See whats newt at Joseph Davis State Park. Come on an adventure in search of our regions amphibians. Frogs and toads and salamanders, oh my!
April 8: Wetland Happenings
Joseph Davis State Park, 4143 Lower River Road, Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Explore the park searching for key wetland characteristics! Listen for frogs and toads as they come out of hibernation, or search for beaver chews along the trails!
April 12: Native Landscaping/Gardening
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This program will focus on how we can avoid invasive plants in our gardens and home landscaping. We will learn about different native plants we can use and how they benefit our local ecosystems and native wildlife!
April 19: Suburban Ecology – What’s in Your Backyard?
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We can be naturalists every day, whether it is in the backyard or on the way to work. Let’s learn to appreciate the nature that is all around us!
April 22: Migration Mania – Joseph Davis
Joseph Davis State Park, 4143 Lower River Road, Lewiston
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Enjoy Joseph Davis State Park while learning bird identification and behavior. Spend Earth Day looking for migratory birds. Bird watchers of all experience levels are welcome.
April 22: Earth Day Owl Walk
Artpark State Park, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. End Earth Day with a night time stroll through Artpark and search for owls. Join the fun, it’ll be a HOOT.
April 26: Suburban Ecology – What’s in Your Backyard?
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We can be naturalists every day, whether it is in the backyard or on the way to work. Let’s learn to appreciate the nature that is all around us!
April 28: An Arbor Day Walk
DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3180 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Happy Arbor Day! Enjoy a walk through old growth trees.
May 5: Mushroom Mondays
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Take a short hike and learn a little more about the magic of mushrooms.
May 5: (Water) Falls Friday
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Goat Island? More like G.O.A.T. Island! Delight in and discover what makes Niagara Falls so magical on a guided expedition with a naturalist.
May 5: Fungi and Ferns on Fridays
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Take a hike through the woods and discover the curious world of fungi and ferns!
May 6: Wildflower Extravaganza
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Enjoy patches of unique and colorful Spring ephemerals along wetlands in 12 mile creek.
May 9: Terrapin Tuesdays
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Come see Niagara Falls and walk along the gorge to see what wonders nature has for us to discover!
May 12: A Journaling Journey – Spring Scrawls
Artpark State Park, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Spring is an explosion of activity—some birds are migrating, trees are budding, hibernation is over! Take some time to enjoy this busy season while exercising your body and mind on a short walk, sprinkled with guided writing practices.
May 13: Wildflower Extravaganza
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Enjoy patches of unique and colorful Spring ephemerals along wetlands in 12 mile creek.
May 22: Mushroom Mondays
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Take a short hike and learn a little more about the magic of mushrooms.
May 22: Misty Monday
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Celebrate the wonders of Niagara on gentle guided walk. This walk can’t be mist!
May 23: Terrapin Tuesdays
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Come see Niagara Falls and walk along the gorge to see what wonders nature has for us to discover!
May 26: Fungi and Ferns on Fridays
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Take a hike through the woods and discover the curious world of fungi and ferns!
May 27: Fort Niagara Exploration
Fort Niagara State Park, Route 18F, Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. From the river to the lake and everything in between, learn about what makes Fort Niagara special!
May 27: Nature’s Beauties
Fort Niagara State Park, Route 18F, Youngstown
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. As the summer wildflowers begin to bloom, search the park in pursuit of these natural beauties. Stroll along the lake and through the woods searching for colorful blooms!
May 28: Forest Bathing – Connecting with Nature
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Awaken your senses, be in the present, slow down and reconnect with nature. The walk will conclude with tea under the trees. (Tea not provided).
May 28: Trail Trek
Fort Niagara State Park, Route 18F, Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Trek along a trail in search of signs of summer – leaves on trees and petals on flowers are sure to greet us as we meander through nature.
May 29: Mushroom Mondays
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Take a short hike and learn a little more about the magic of mushrooms.
May 29: Scenic Overlook Hike
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We will hike to four scenic overlook areas of the Niagara Gorge. Topics include geology, flora and fauna, local history, and other fun facts.
May 30: Terrapin Tuesdays
Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Come see Niagara Falls and walk along the gorge to see what wonders nature has for us to discover!
June 1: The Art of Identification – Leaves
Artpark State Park, 450 South Fourth St., Lewiston
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Make your own field guide, focused on fascinating foliage of plants, on a walk with a naturalist!
