Sign Up for Free Guided Hikes This Winter in Niagara Falls USA

Niagara Falls USA and the surrounding region offers some of the best hiking trails. With various difficulty levels, hiking can be easy, affordable and fun for the entire family. A trek through the wilderness is a great way to experience Niagara Falls in winter.

If you’re seeking a guided hike, or want to learn more about the great outdoors, partake in one (or all) of the Niagara Region Interpretive Programs Office activities offered this winter. All pre-scheduled programs are free and intended for individuals and families. Register for one (or more!) of the following hikes here. For more information, call 716-282-5154.

December 20: Wish Upon a Shooting Star

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. On a cool, crisp night, take in the stars as we search for the largest meteor shower of the year – the Geminids!

December 21: Goat Island Mini Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join us on a mini walk to Stedman's and Porter's Bluff to view all three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls without catching a chill!

December 21: Falala Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Take a break from the cold and visit the Welcome Center for family fun holiday crafts and an Education Station!

December 21: Goat Island Mini Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Join us on a mini walk to Stedman's and Porter's Bluff to view all three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls without catching a chill!

December 21: Icicle Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Join us for a relaxing walk as we look at the winter decorations offered by nature!

December 22: Winter Sensory Walk

Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
10:30 a.m.-12:30p.m. Take a break from the holiday and end of semester stresses by going on a leisurely stroll along Trail 2.

December 22: Evergreens

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. We will explore some local evergreens to find out how they are pollinated, how to tell the difference between male and female pinecones, and some basic rules of identification. This will be followed by a short walk to find some of these fascinating trees.

December 31: Last Day Hike

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Bring in the New Year while we enjoy a walk through one of our wooded paths and watch the last sunset of 2024!

January 1: First Day Tails on Trails at DeVeaux

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Walk the DeVeaux Woods trails with leashed canine friends! Notice nature signs and tracks along the way as we discuss the old growth forest and a bit of history about the park.

Janaury 1: First Day Winter Walk

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join us for a walk to welcome the New Year along Lake Ontario where we'll see migrating waterfowl and traverse the trail along the shore.

January 1: First Day Gorgeview Hike

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Join us for a walk to welcome the New Year along the Niagara Gorge where we'll see nature in winter as we take the accessible pathway to Whirlpool State Park.

January 1: First Day Hike

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, 3371 Lake Road, Wilson
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Join a park naturalist on a casual stroll through the old growth forest of Wilson Tuscarora State Park, located right off Lake Ontario.

January 1: First Day at the Fort

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for a walk to view the Niagara River and War of 1812 Cemetery, and to see the lighthouse and Old Fort Niagara from the parking lot. There will be a tour of the Officer's Club to view the paintings and visit the museum displays.

January 1: First Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Ring in the New Year by taking a walk along the top of the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park and back!

January 1: First Day Hike

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy the first day of the New Year with your leashed dog at Niagara Falls State Park! Take a leisurely walk from Prospect to Terrapin Point and take in the extraordinary views of all three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls.

January 4: Bark Owls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This craft is a HOOT! Join us in the Education Center for the nature-inspired craft while learning about the different owls found in our region and how to identify them! Materials for craft will be provided.

January 4: Wildflower Trivia

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Escape the cold air and welcome in the new year with thoughts of the colorful petals to come! Relax and play wildflower trivia to learn all about unique flowers and the seasonality of our common blooms.

January 11: Fire Starters Inside

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Join a Park Naturalist inside at the Education Center and learn how to prepare a variety of fire starters to help get your next campfire started easier.

January 11: Invasive Species Trivia

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Come one, come all to compete with friends and family alike in a game of invasive species jeopardy.

January 16: Mars' Opposition at DeVeaux

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Learn a little more about our neighbor the red planet from one of our park educators, and then head outside to get a closer look while Mars is at its brightest in the sky!

January 18: Frosty Falls Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
12:00 p.m.-1:30p.m. Join us for a general walk as we look at the beautiful scenery at the Falls during the winter!

January 18: Walk and Talk — Winter Migration

Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Migrate south from Devil's Hole State Park to Whirlpool State Park and learn about why and how some animals decide to make their own journeys south every year!

January 25: Backyard Birds in Winter — How to Help

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn how to help our winter birds survive. Find out about what different birds eat, what types of feeders to use, and how to make a pinecone bird feeder. We will also touch on getting ready for spring and using bird houses. All supplies included.

January 26: Snowshoe/Winter Hike

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Take a winter hike through DeVeaux Woods and learn the basics of snowshoeing with a Park Naturalist.

February 1: Frosty Falls Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Goat Island turns into a frosty, frozen world as the temperature drops... but the Falls keep flowing! Join a Park Naturalist to explore these breathtaking, but chilly views!

February 1: Nature Jeopardy

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Come join us for a fun and competitive game of Jeopardy about some of the region's natural mysteries!

February 2: Groundhogs Day

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Celebrate Groundhogs Day with an educator to learn all about our local squirrels, including the largest ground squirrel in North America – the groundhog!

February 8: Winter Gulls, Ducks, & Terns

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. A short introduction to some of the winter gulls, ducks, and terns in the Niagara Region, identification, life histories, and some fun facts. We will also cover some of the best viewing spots.

February 8: Jeop-Birdy

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Come join us for a fun and competitive game of Jeopardy revolving around the birds of the Niagara Region!

February 8: Miles of Ice

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Come warm up inside and learn about how glaciers have formed our region and the current state of Earth's remaining glaciers.

February 9: Winter Photography Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
2:00 p.m.-4:00p.m. Join a Park Naturalist for a winter photo stroll through icy Niagara Falls State Park.

February 9: Snowshoe/Winter Hike

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Take a winter hike through DeVeaux Woods and learn the basics of snowshoeing with a Park Naturalist.

February 11: Beginner Bird Walk

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist to learn the basics of birding, with a focus on waterfowl and gulls in preparation for the Birds on the Niagara Festival. Binoculars provided.

February 15: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at the Cave of the Winds to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River.

February 15: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at Three Sisters Islands to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River.

February 15: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers on Lake Ontario

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Join a naturalist with a spotting scope on the sun lawn in Fort Niagara to view the migrating waterfowl over Lake Ontario!

February 16: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at the Cave of the Winds to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River.

February 16: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at Three Sisters Islands to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River.

February 16: Birds on the Niagara — Feathers on Lake Ontario

Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Maintenance Ave., Youngstown
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Join a naturalist with a spotting scope on the sun lawn in Fort Niagara to view the migrating waterfowl over Lake Ontario!

February 21: 'Lug Your Mug' Stroll at the Park

DeVeaux Woods State Park, 3120 De Veaux Woods Drive, Niagara Falls
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Grab your favorite mug or thermos and take a stroll through the cool winter air at DeVeaux Woods State Park. Bundle up and sip some hot chocolate while taking in the views of old growth woods. Weather permitting; adventure will be taken on snowshoes.

February 22: DIY Bird-Friendly Window Clings

Reservoir State Park, 5777 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Prepare for spring bird migrations by creating some window clings for your home! Decorate these clings while we discuss some of the different types of migratory birds in the Niagara Region.

February 22: Niagara Region Jeopardy

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Come one, come all to compete with friends and family alike in a game of Niagara Region jeopardy.

February 22: Winter Stroll Along the Gorge

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Take a leisurely stroll along the rim trail from Whirlpool State Park to Freedom Plaza and back to take in the winter scenery and learn some fun facts about the gorge!