Chimney Bluffs State Park

Location - Town of Huron, Wayne County Maps: Google Map, Topo, Bird's eye GPS: Park entrance: N 43.28015 / W 76.92249 Directions: From Rt. 104 take County Hwy 254 north, which soon becomes Garner Rd. After 4.5 miles it will bend sharply to the right and shortly thereafter, on the left, will be the main entrance to the park. An alternative entrance can be found by continuing past this entrance and making a left on East Bay Rd. Follow this road until it reaches the lake. Or use Google directions.

Description & History Less than an hour east of Rochester, this beautiful post-glacial landscape is now a developed state park and a favorite of hikers and photographers alike. With four miles of hiking trails and many spectacular views overlooking jagged cliffs and the ever-changing Lake Ontario, this popular park, despite being so isolated, is a favorite destination of thousands. The Bluff Trail offers visitors a hike along the edge of the clay cliffs, offering an exhilarating and somewhat dangerous experience for hikers of all skill levels. It's a unique and memorial experience for visitors of all ages and highly recommended. The bluffs were formed by a glacial drumlin, which has been eroded away by wind, lake waters, rain and ice; forming razor-like edges. Drumlins are common for Western and Central NY, but one that is sliced in half like this is pretty rare. There are only three large examples of this in the region, with the Chimney Bluffs being both the largest and the most accessible. Aside from the Bluffs, the park has a large, undeveloped pebble beach where visitors can wade in the water, hand launch boats, or fish. The picnic area is fairly new and features solid tables and a large mowed area for lawn games. Nature trails wind in an out of hundreds of acres of wooded inclines and one extends to the wetland across the street; an excellent bird-watching location.

Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Year-round. From dusk until dawn. Best time to visit: Summer through fall. Parking: There are two parking areas and enough room for 50 cars. A large lot is at the main entrance and is adjacent to the restroom and picnic facilities (map). Another, smaller lot is located near the beach off of E. Bay Rd. (map) Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: yes, but not for trails or beach. Pets: Yes, on leash, with proof of inoculation. For their safety and the safety of other visitors, please do not bring your pet on the Bluff Trail. Accommodations: Restrooms (near the main entrance and one off of E. Bay Rd.), picnic areas, drinking fountains, beach access, grills. Swimming is not allowed, but people do it anyways. Boating: You can hand launch at the beach.

Trails - Difficult Map: Trail overview. Markings: None The Bluff Trail is the first adventure one should take when visiting. Offering excellent views from atop the bluffs as well as many dips and turns, it is as memorable as it is exciting. There are steep climbs, wet areas and portions of the trail that come so close to the edge. Vertigo may set in, so if you take any daring  The trail starts at one entrance and ends at the other. Although climbing the bluffs is prohibited, it is not uncommon to see it being done. It is a favorite pastime of locals. This is not rock, but a clay-like dirt, making these cliffs very unstable. The formations will change drastically from year to year and mud and rock slides occur frequently. For a more guided look at the trails, look here.

Interesting Stuff... The pebble beach in this area is characteristic of its proximity to glacial geological features. Both the power of grinding glaciers and the continual movement of lake waters have polished rock fragments into round pebbles of varying sizes. Many of the rocks types that can be found here have been transported from thousands of miles away. As the Bluffs dip in elevation towards the west, an exposed section of the cliff along the beach reveals grey clay, similar to modeling clay. Visitor will usually carve their names into the cliff and create models, leaving them for others to discover. In summer the sun sets over the lake offering a spectacular waterscape. This is one of the prime sunset locations for the Lake Ontario southern shore.

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