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Allegany State Park, NY – Volunteer Vacation 2024

June 9 @ 5:00 pm - June 15 @ 10:00 am

Trip Navigation

Come explore Western New York’s Allegany State Park – home to 65,000 acres of primitive forested valleys, and un-glaciated landscape. 

The project is a multi-year effort to revitalize the 20.6 miles of Finger Lakes Trail /North Country National Scenic Trail within Allegany State Park. Volunteers will work together to reroof and stain a lean-to, install switchbacks on a steep section of trail, replace 12 feet of at bridge, drainage cleaning, installation of water bars/rolling dips and removing slough and berms from trail benching, repair an outhouse and cleaning up the general area and brush clearing and blazing. Volunteers will be driven to the closest trailhead, and day hike to the project site. Depending on the assigned work for the day, the volunteers may return to the dropoff trailhead or another trailhead if it is closer.

During this trip, Allegany State Park’s average high temperature is 74°, and average low temperature is 52°.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Erie and Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee) peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.

Click here for a PDF of trip details.

Location

Allegany State Park
2373 Allegany State Park Rte 1, Salamanca, NY 14779 United States + Google Map

Host

Accommodations

Cabin/Lodge

Hiking/Access

Volunteers should expect to hike up to 10 miles round trip per day with moderate elevation gain over rough, primitive trail tread.

Project Rating

Moderate

Minimum Volunteer Age

16

Maximum Group Size

15

Area and Attractions

Allegany State Park is a state park in western New York State, located in Cattaraugus County just north of the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. The park is divided into two sections: The Red House Area and the Quaker Run Area. It lies within the Allegheny Highlands forest ecoregion. The Red House Area is the northeastern half of Allegany State Park. This area's attractions include Stone Tower, the Summit Fire Tower, Red House Lake, Bridal Falls, and the Art Roscoe Ski Area. This section also contains five miles (8.0 km) of paved bike trails and 130 campsites. The Red House area is the location of the Administration Building for the park. The Quaker area is the southwestern section of the park. Its attractions include Quaker Lake, the Mount Tuscarora Fire Tower, hiking trails, Science lake, Bear Caves, Thunder Rocks, the Quaker Amphitheater, and several campsites. The Cain Hollow campground is located on the Quaker side of the park. Allegany State Park was named as a top "Amazing Spot" in the nation in 2007. It has also been referred to as "the wilderness playground of Western New York."

Accommodations Description

The Finger Lakes Trail Conference has partnered with Allegany State Park to provide accommodations for the project in one of the Park’s two group camps. Accommodations are two-sided 24 bed cabins: 12 twin innerspring mattress beds on each side. There is a separate dining hall with a commercial kitchen. Wifi is available in the Dining Hall. Close by shower house (unrestricted hot water) with private toilets restricted to this camp’s guests only. Potable water is available. Volunteers will need to bring their personal gear, bedding, towels, and toiletries.

Travel

Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, New York is the closest major airport. Airport pick up and drop off is available for volunteers and will be arranged upon confirmation of the trip. Pick-up is available at Buffalo Train Station in addition to the airport.
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