The great outdoors are calling…
Do you long to feel the sun on your face, listen to birds instead of traffic, and get your hands dirty while communing with nature? Look no further: Chenango County is a great place to explore the wonders of the natural world. With rolling hills made for hiking and outstanding fishing waters, plus a number of conservancy areas, beauty and adventure are never hard to find when you’re here.
Read on for our Top 5 ways to enjoy nature in Chenango County this summer:
1. Watch the wolves at Wolf Mountain Nature Center.
562 Hopkins Crandall Road, Smyrna | (607) 627-6784
http://www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org/
This unique spot allows visitors to observe Timber wolves, Eastern coyotes, and Arctic foxes living and interacting in their protected habitat. With a focus on conservation and education, Wolf Mountain is dedicated to connecting people with the spirit of the wild. Tours available.
2. Learn about ecosystems at Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center.
2721 NY-80, Sherburne | (607) 674-4733
http://www.friendsofrogers.org/
Across 600 acres of forest, open land, trails and ponds, Rogers Center offers a range of demonstrations and educational programming year-round. Highlights include a visitor’s center and a picnic area, hiking trails, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, summer camps, and more. A great place to visit in any season.
3. Hike the trails at Pharsalia Woods State Forest.
Plymouth & Pharsalia | (607) 674-4017
Visit these 9,000 acres in the towns of Plymouth and Pharsalia for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. The forest contains six miles of the Finger Lakes Trail. At Round Pond, an accessible viewing platform offers visitors amazing views of the area.
4. Sleep under the stars at Bowman Lake State Park.
745 Bliven Sherman Road, Oxford | (607) 334-2718
An idyllic location for camping, this beautiful and peaceful 967 acres includes evergreen and hardwood forests, scenic park roads, shady campsites, sandy lakefront with swimming, boating and fishing.
5. Hike the Quarry.
Norwich | (607) 373-9948
Escape to nature by exploring the Stone Quarry. A cherished destination for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and general exploration, the Stone Quarry features many trails with various difficultly levels to ensure that there is something for everyone.
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