Darien Lakes State Park

From fishing and hiking to swimming and picnicking, Darien Lakes State Park offers a host of great recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the best thing about this park in western Genesee County, New York is that you and your pooch can stay a night or three in its tranquil, pet-friendly campground.

Encompassing more than 1,800 acres, Darien Lakes State Park is home to diverse terrain. It's a hilly area complete with ravines and streams, and it's also home to 12-acre Harlow Lake, which is one of the park's main attractions. There's a beach for swimming and great fishing on offer, but many visitors simply enjoy relaxing and enjoying the lovely water views. There's also a rustic bridge over the lake's channel to Picnic Island which, as the name suggests, is a nice spot to spread out a picnic blanket.

And there's plenty more to see and do throughout the park. There are multi-use trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling; a bridle path; playgrounds; disc golf; basketball courts, and more!

If you're keen on staying a while, the Darien Lakes State Park campground features a total of 154 campsites, 13 of which are primitive sites with no electricity. Dogs are allowed in all campsites, but a two-pet maximum applies per site. Camping fees range from $18 to $30 a night.

You'll also need to abide by all park rules surrounding dogs. These include only taking your pooch in areas designated as dog-friendly, plus keeping your pet on a leash of six feet or shorter. Finally, don't forget to clean up after your dog whenever required.

With its beautiful scenery and extensive range of recreational activities, Darien Lakes State Park is considered a flagship facility of the New York state parks system. In other words, it's definitely worth checking out if you ever get the chance!