8 PLACES TO EXPLORE GREATER ROC’S NATURAL BEAUTY
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
You don’t have to leave Greater ROC for the serenity of nature.
We’re big on straying from the beaten path. On exploring and wandering until we find something we’ve never seen before.
That’s the gift of Greater ROC—endless discovery of iconic beauty that’s hidden right before our eyes. All we have to do is look around.
So let’s get outside. Let’s see the unseen. Let’s give ourselves over to new sights, sounds and sensations.
And if you think you’ve seen it all, you better think again.
Grimes Glen Park
Just outside downtown Naples—and we mean literally just outside—sits Grimes Glen Park. With a quiet little trail running through, the Glen immerses visitors in its natural beauty before revealing its biggest secret: two 60-foot-tall waterfalls.
Pro tip: Adventure seekers can reach the waterfalls by wading through the water.
Sunken Garden
Walk around Warner Castle in Highland Park and you’ll find a stunning, perfectly manicured stretch of flowers and greenery. Walk a little farther and you’ll find the Sunken Garden, a hidden haven of serenity and solitude. The garden dates to 1930, when it was added by the same landscape architect who designed the gardens at the Eastman estate. Since then, it’s acted as a peaceful retreat for all.
Pro tip: Make a day of it by walking around Highland Park as well.'
Corbett’s Glen
It’s easy to miss, but if you keep an eye out as you drive down Penfield Road, you’ll find a small parking lot and a trail entrance to Corbett’s Glen. Walk along the trail and you’ll reach the appropriately named Postcard Falls, a small waterfall which is fed from a creek running through the park’s iconic tunnel.
Pro tip: Bring a camera. Trust us.
Hidden Sidewalk
Ontario Beach Park gets all the outdoor attention in the summer, so much so that it’s easy to forget about the Hidden Sidewalk. Starting further down Beach Ave., the hidden sidewalk runs between Lake Ontario and a row of waterfront homes, giving off Cape Cod vibes without the out-of-state hassle.
Pro tip: Park at Ontario Beach Park and walk to the sidewalk’s main entrance near Clematis Street.
Turning Point Park
The Genesee Riverway Trail extends 16 miles from downtown to Lake Ontario with countless gems throughout. But there’s no beating Turning Point Park, a boardwalk that courses alongside and over the river itself. Visit at the right time and you’ll see large vessels turning around—and suddenly the name will click.
Pro tip: Start your walk at the marina on Petten Street.
Seneca Park
Just beyond Seneca Park Zoo sits an Olmsted-designed park filled with picnic shelters and playgrounds. Our favorite part runs alongside the Genesee River: a walking path with gorgeous views of the Genesee River gorge. Walk far enough south and you’ll find a walking bridge that towers over the river below.
Pro tip: Pack lunch and hang out in one of the park’s shelters.
Chimney Bluffs
Sometimes nature feels like it’s from another planet. Walk around Chimney Bluffs and you’ll see what we mean. Overlooking Lake Ontario, the bluffs are made from glacial till that’s been shaped by thousands of years of erosion, culminating in its huge spires. It’s a unique combination of peaceful and imposing—and further proof that our region has been beautiful long before we ever arrived.
Pro tip: Bring cash for the $5 vehicle entrance fee at the park’s main gate.
The nearest trail to you
We know this is a list of the must-see trails in Greater ROC, but the truth is every trail deserves to be explored—especially the quiet ones nearest to you. It doesn’t matter if there are no waterfalls or secret gardens. All you have to do is change your perspective and you’ll see it has the tranquility only nature can provide.