Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
64 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Niagara Falls
Day-use and picnic areas near Niagara Falls on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
17picnic areas
64 mito the closest
May–Septemberbest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Almond Lake
85 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
Allegheny Reservoir
87 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
Map of all 17 places
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30 to 75 miles (1)
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
75 miles and farther (16)
Almond Lake
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Allegheny Reservoir
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Union City Dam
This is a dry-bed detention reservoir for flood control. It is located 3 mi W of Union City.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Allegheny National Forest
.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
East Branch Clarion River Lake
Elk State Park is located at this lake in scenic western Pennslyvania, 14 miles north east of Johnsonburg.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Woodcock Creek Lake
Provides a 333-acre summer pool with the largest recreation facility.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Woodcock Creek Lake Park & Campground
This recreation area is part of Woodcock Creek Lake
- Boating
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
Tionesta Rec. Area Campground
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Photography
Outflow Recreation Area (Pa)
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Scenic Drive
- Wilderness
Tionesta Lake
Winding its way through the rugged hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, Tionesta Lake offers a unique setting for a diversity of outdoor recreational fun. The Seneca named this area "where the water separates the land".
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Cowanesque Lake
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Auburn, New York in 1859.
- Picnicking
Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kettle Creek Lake
Surrounded by high mountains in a wild and scenic area, Kettle Creek State Park provides day use recreation facilities on Alvin R. Bush reservoir and campground adjacent to Corps land on the lake and downstream of the dam.
- Boating
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Niagara Falls. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Niagara Falls?
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 64 miles southeast of Niagara Falls as the crow flies. Next are Almond Lake (85 mi) and Allegheny Reservoir (87 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Niagara Falls?
Based on Niagara Falls’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.