Fillmore Glen State Park

If you want to hike through some of the best natural scenery New York's Finger Lakes region has to offer, Fillmore Glen State Park is the ideal place to base yourself. Covering 941 acres, the park offers excellent hiking trails that wind their way through dense forest and past beautiful waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Best of all, it also boasts an uncrowded pet-friendly campground.

There are several trails to follow through the park, most of which are between two and three miles long. The Gorge Trail is the prettiest and also the most popular, offering the chance to follow the course of the gorge and take in a handful of waterfalls along the way.

In the summer months, campers enjoy taking a cooling dip in the park's stream-fed swimming pool, while anglers can cast a line in the Owasco Lake Inlet. In winter, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are allowed on unplowed roads throughout the park.

Pets are welcome in the park but must be kept on a leash of six feet or shorter and picked up after whenever required. Please also note that pets are not allowed in bathing areas, playgrounds, or on the Gorge Trail.

The Fillmore Glen State Park Campground is well-kept and features dumping stations, showers, playing fields, picnic tables, and a kids' playground. There are 60 campsites, 10 of which have electricity, and three cabins available. Cabins house a maximum of four people and feature two sets of bunk beds, electricity, a refrigerator, and a gas cooktop. However, make sure you remember to bring your own linen and cookware.

For those who prefer all the creature comforts, Fillmore Glen also boasts a full-service cabin on the shores of Cayuga Lake. It features hot water, electricity, a gas stove, a refrigerator, and a double bed, not to mention a boat dock and its own patch of lawn.

A $7 vehicle entry fee applies for day-use visitors to the park, with campsites ranging from $15 to $27 per night (plus an additional $5 per night if you're visiting from out of state). Cabins start at $59.50 per night.

If you love hiking and spending time in the wilderness with your furry friend, Fillmore Glen State Park is well worth a visit. There are several trails and plenty of lovely scenery to explore, so stay for a few days to make sure you experience it all.