A Guide to National Parks in New York
The state of New York is home to 22 national parks that preserve natural wonders and the past. Learn more about five of them here.
Written by Melanie Mergen
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
New York State
is home to 22 national parks that preserve the past and natural wonders. Some favorites include Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Saratoga National Historical Park, and the Statue of Liberty National Monument.One of the most important aspects of national park sites is that they can make past historical events feel more real and tangible centuries after they’ve occurred. Plenty of people find these sites worth visiting—New York’s state parks alone had over 78 million visitors in 2021!
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Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Hours of operation: Open daily by appointment only
Admission price: Tour costs are subject to change. Call for more details.
What makes Harriet Tubman National Historical Park special
As if the park’s name weren’t suggestion enough, this park honors Harriet Tubman’s legacy as an abolitionist, nurse, Union spy, and suffragist. The park is managed by The Harriet Tubman Home Inc., a nonprofit established by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Established in 2017, Harriet Tubman Historical National Park is a relatively new national park, one that the National Park Service (NPS) says is still very much a “park in progress.” That said, how many people get to say they’ve visited such a historic place so close to its beginning as a national park?
The park spans 32 acres and includes:
- The Harriet Tubman Residence
- Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
- Harriet Tubman’s Home for the Aged
- The Harriet Tubman Visitor Center
What to do in Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
At Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, you can take a guided tour of the grounds, including the Home for the Aged. It’s important to know that the park is open by appointment only, and reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Both Harriet Tubman’s residence and the church aren’t yet structurally safe and have needed substantial work to make them safe for public use again. The home is expected to be repaired to be used as a visitor support center by winter 2023.
While it isn’t technically part of the park, you can also make a visit to
Fort Hill Cemetery
, where Harriet Tubman is buried.When to visit Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is generally open year-round by appointment, but appointment times and admission costs are subject to change.
To reserve a tour, you can call 315-252-2081, leaving your name, phone number, number of people in your group, and the desired date and time for your tour.
MORE:New York State foodie road trips
Saratoga National Historical Park
Hours of operation: Sunday, Thursday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. year-round (some seasonal closures)
Admission price: Free
What makes Saratoga National Historical Park special
Saratoga National Historic Park is the site where the United States won its first victory during the American Revolution in 1777.
What to do in Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historic Park offers indoor and outdoor exploration opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of a crucial point of the American Revolution. Here’s just a share of things you can do:
- Drive or bike the tour road: The 10-mile, self-guided tour road highlights 10 different sites, including the camps of both the Americans and the British as the battles of Saratoga took place. The road is open to vehicles from April through November as the weather allows.
- Explore Victory Woods: Walk the self-guided trail, which has an accessible pathway, where British forces made their last encampment prior to surrender.
- Climb the Saratoga Monument: The massive, 155-foot-tall obelisk, completed in 1883, marks the spot of the British surrender at Saratoga. You can climb all 188 steps to the top (about 10 stories) and enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the Hudson River Valley.
When to visit Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historic Park is open year-round, although some facilities are only open seasonally. Summer and fall are generally the best times to visit if you want to take advantage of all the park has to offer. Winter is a great time to take to the trails for
cross-country skiing
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Women’s Rights National Historical Park
Hours of operation: Open year-round, hours vary by season
Admission price: Free
What makes Women’s Rights National Historical Park special
Women’s Rights National Historical Park
commemorates the first Women’s Rights Convention, which took place in Seneca Falls. It was here that the Declaration of Sentiments
was first presented. What to do in Women’s Rights National Historical Park
The sites at Women’s Rights National Historical Park introduce you to the physical places where major steps were taken that led up to the drafting of the Declaration of Sentiments and the first Women’s Rights Convention. Here’s what you can do at the park:
- View historic homes: Historic Park houses include the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House (main author of the Declaration of Sentiments), the M’Clintock House (where the Declaration of Sentiments was drafted), and, once it’s open to the public, theHunt House.
- Admire the Waterwall at Declaration Park: The waterwall is 100 feet long and is engraved with the words of the Declaration of Sentiments, including the names of all who signed the document.
- Visit the Wesleyan Chapel: This is the site where the first Women’s Rights Convention was held, and it was a spot for other events advocating for antislavery, free speech, and various political causes.
When to visit Women’s Rights National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park is open year-round, so there’s not exactly a bad time to visit. One consideration is that the winter season has fewer programs offered.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
Hours of operation: Year-round, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What makes the Statue of Liberty National Monument special
Gifted by the French and dedicated in 1886, the Statue of Liberty is one of the United States’ most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy. It was one of the first sites that some immigrants would see before arriving at Ellis Island.
What to do at the Statue of Liberty National Monument
Taking in the Statue of Liberty up close is the most obvious thing to do on Liberty Island. You can also
explore the island grounds
and take in the views of the New York Harbor.If you’re also hoping to visit Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration on your trip, pairing it with your trip to Liberty Island will save you time and money. Just note that visiting both will take up the majority of your day.
When to visit the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty National Monument is open year-round. Fall and summer are the most popular times to visit. If you’re looking to beat the crowds, it’s best to visit earlier in the morning, as afternoons can get more congested.
Pro Tip Getting to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island is only possible by ferry, which you’ll want to plan for and reserve in advance.
Castle Clinton National Monument
Location: Battery Park, New York, New York
Hours of operation: Year-round, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission price: Free
What makes Castle Clinton National Monument special
Initially built as a barrier against British forces amid the War of 1812,
Castle Clinton National Monument
has served more welcoming purposes over the years. It operated as an opera house, took in 8 million people in its three decades as an immigration center, and became an aquarium. Now, it’s a national monument that’s been restored to its original design.What to do at Castle Clinton National Monument
Castle Clinton has an open-air construction, so any of the activities you’re participating in are going to be outdoors. National Park Service rangers offer guided tours of Castle Clinton at set times throughout the day, or you can explore the site yourself.
When to visit Castle Clinton National Monument
Castle Clinton Monument is open year-round, so there’s not exactly a bad time to visit. However, fall and spring tend to have milder temperatures, and mornings tend to be less crowded than afternoons.
Pro Tip Castle Clinton National Monument is also the location of Statue Cruises’ ticket office, the only authorized cruise that can take you to Liberty and Ellis Islands.
How to prepare to visit New York’s national parks
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