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FAQs on Outdoor Activities in Chautauqua County

Where can I golf in Chautauqua County, NY?

Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy.

Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes.

The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

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Where are the best hiking trails in western New York?

Chautauqua County boasts some of the best hiking trails in western New York.

Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

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Where can I mountain bike in Chautauqua County?

Chautauqua County has some of the best single track and fat tire mountain bike trails in Western New York. We have more miles of groomed fat bike trails than any other county in New York State! Harris Hill State Forest in Gerry, home of the annual Harris Hill Hustle, features over 17 miles of single track trails including a skills loop. Both the Westside and Eastside Overland Trails and Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake are popular destinations for riders of all abilities. Loud Performance Products, located near the park, offers rentals and weekly social rides, a perfect opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture.

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Where are the best road cycling routes in Chautauqua County?

Explore the rolling forested hills, lake vistas, and pastoral farmlands of Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY. Cycling on road and off is a popular activity featuring experiences ranging from the Chautauqua Gran Fondo event in August which circles Chautauqua Lake, to the Tour of Chautauqua ride through the Lake Erie region. Take a ride from Findley Lake to Panama Rocks or Silver Creek to Cherry Creek and enjoy country roads and idyllic scenery.

Suggested road cycling routes include:

  • The Busti-Harmony Ride tours through many of southern Chautauqua County's villages and towns before carrying into the rural countryside of Harmony and Busti. 
  • The Chautauqua-Fredonia Ride linking Chautauqua Institution and the Village of Fredonia offers a cyclist a chance to truly experience Chautauqua County's vineyards and all they have to offer. 
  • The Chautauqua Lake Ride follows the 50 mile perimeter of the lake along Routes 394 and 430. 
  • The Jamestown-Ellery Ride offers some challenging hills and terrain for the rider, and some historical stops throughout Jamestown and Celoron.
  • The Jamestown-Frewsburg Ride provides a complete tour of the greater Jamestown area.
  • The Mayville Ride is a 25-mile bike route through the heart of the Village of Mayville and Town of Chautauqua, along scenic Chautauqua Lake.
  • The Tour Chautauqua Ride will give a cyclist an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. 
  • The Westfield-Pomfret-Falconer ride travels quiet roads through vineyards, farms, and wooded areas before returning along scenic Chautauqua Lake.

 

Where can I camp in Chautauqua County?

Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY is home to numerous campgrounds in a variety of settings, from secluded woodlands to lakefront locales, with many offering family-friendly amenities such as pools, playgrounds, beaches, game rooms, and activities.

The Chautauqua Lake area hosts several campgrounds, including:

  • Camp Chautauqua with 250 campsites for your RV or tent featuring several events and family activities in a beautiful lakefront setting.
  • Located just minutes from Chautauqua Lake, Camp Prendergast sits on 13 acres with spacious tent and RV sites.
  • Chautauqua Lake KOA's deluxe cabins, glamping safari tents, and regular tent sites provide spectacular views of Chautauqua Lake in a secluded 200-acre setting.
  • YMCA Camp Onyahsa is a summer camp and off-season rental campground on Chautauqua Lake in Dewittville.

Take your pick of many campgrounds situated on Lake Erie, including:

Country campground options include:

  • Bison Trace Luxury Camping, which features fully furnished cabins, safari tents, and covered wagons.
  • Camp at the Rocks, a campground at Panama Rocks Scenic Park, which boasts fully furnished, luxury tents for a unique glamping getaway, as well as traditional tent camping sites.
  • The Heron Campground at the Heron Farm and Event Center -- home of the annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival -- includes tent camping, yurts, pop-ups and more, with electric sites for your RV.
  • Chautauqua Gorge Campground offers 23 different types of campsites including cabins and RV sites with utilities, and self-contained tent sites or off-grid cabins without utilities.
  • Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park boasts 225 campsites for you to bring your RV or tent, plus cabin camping in a family-friendly campground with numerous amenities and activities.