From the beginning of spring, outdoor activities become the best way to enjoy the season.Excursions or walks are not only fun to take advantage of the good weather, but they are activities that can even bring benefits to our health due to exercise and contact with nature.The tri-state area has several parks and trails perfect for a day out.It's just a matter of packing your shoes, a bottle of water, your backpack, good company and a good attitude to enjoy the outdoors.Here we share some of the places you could visit.Although this trail in the beautiful state park won't open until mid to late May, be sure to put it on your calendar.Just remember that pets are not allowed on this trail.The total round trip is 2.4 miles round trip, and while it's mostly pavement, it has some gorgeous views.Look here the map.Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound.Within two miles, the creek stream descends 400 feet past the 200-foot bluffs, spawning 19 waterfalls along its course.The Gorge Trail winds above and below the waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade.The rim trails overlook the gorge.For more information go here.The Ashokan Rail Trail is open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year.The 11.5-mile recreational trail loops through the Ashokan Reservoir between West Hurley and Boiceville.The ART trail surface is 12 feet wide and covered with highly compacted fine crushed stone.Both trailhead and trailhead parking areas (including portable toilets) are ADA compliant and accessible to people with disabilities.The ART is open for hiking, leashed dog walking, biking, running, nature watching, among other activities.For information visit the following website.Buttermilk Falls State Park takes its name from the foamy waterfall formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake.The upper park has a small lake, hiking trails through the woods and along the gorge and rim, picnic areas, and playing fields.The lower park has a campground, natural pool, and playing fields, beyond which is Larch Meadows.Larch Meadows is an area of ​​wetlands through which a nature trail winds its way.Hikes in this park have some of the most beautiful views in upstate New York.The walk includes waterfalls and natural pools, and other places that are perfect for a hot day.For more information go here.Mount Marcy is the tallest mountain in New York.The massive dome of rock at the summit boasts some of the best views in the Northeast.There are four main trails to the summit of Mount Marcy.The route from the Adirondack Loj parking area, the Van Hoevenberg Trail, is the most popular and heavily used, and at 7.4 miles one way, it's also the shortest.For more information go here.Created in eastern New York state in 1892 as one of the first Forever Wild Forest Reserves in the nation, the Adirondack Park is a unique wilderness area and a National Historic Landmark.At 6 million acres, it is the largest public protected area in the contiguous United States.Adirondack Park has more than 2,000 miles of resorts and beautiful New York hiking trails to suit all skill levels.Year-round recreation at alpine and cross-country ski resorts is also a popular draw throughout the region.Handicapped accessible trails are offered in many regions so everyone can enjoy nature.For more information go here.Bear Mountain State Park is situated on rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River.The park features a large playground, shady groves for picnics, access to fish in lakes and rivers, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.For more information go here.Nine hiking trails run a total of 5 miles in the northern portion of the 465-acre natural area and offer stunning views of the Rio Negro, which lies deep in a shaded hemlock ravine.Rinehart and Trout Brooks flow into the Black River and several small waterfalls can be seen from the high trails.The diversity of upland and wetland habitats provide excellent opportunities for bird watching, especially during migration.Since the topography of the park is quite rugged, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.For more information go here.More than 30 miles of trails offer opportunities ranging from easy riverside strolls to challenging rock walks.The Shore Trail can be accessed from all of the park's riverfront picnic areas, as well as from the eastern trails of the five connecting trails in the park.From the Edgewater Park entrance, the Shore Trail descends and then follows the river north.North of Alpine Picnic Area, the Shore Trail enters a more remote section of the park, eventually traversing the nearly mile-long challenging rock climb known as "Giant Stairs," before ascending again with a steep climb to meet up with LongPath.For information on the different trails, maps, recommendations and more visit this website.NOTE: Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is approximately twelve miles long and one-half mile wide, containing 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shoreline, highlands, and bluffs.It is the original component of a unique interstate park system that now contains more than 100,000 acres managed jointly by the states of New Jersey and New York.The uniqueness of Cheesequake State Park lies in its geographic location.Not only is it situated in the middle of the urban north and the suburban south, but it is in a transition zone between two different ecosystems.Open fields, salt and freshwater marshes, an Atlantic white cedar swamp, pine barren habitats, and a Northeast hardwood forest await.There are five designated trails in the park.The red, yellow, green and blue paths are for walks.The White Trail (multi-use) is designated for hiking and mountain biking.Trail lengths range from 1.5 to 3.5 miles.Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderate with inclines.For information go here.High Point, the summit of Kittatinny Ridge, rises 1,803 feet above sea level, the highest elevation in the state of New Jersey.The result is a mountain with unparalleled views of three states and a picturesque landscape where rare plants take root, animals find refuge and people come to sightsee, play and relax.High on the top of the mountain is the High Point Monument, dedicated to New Jersey veterans.With more than 50 miles of trails, High Point State Park offers visitors a variety of trail options year-round.Designated multi-use trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling.Trails range in length from a half mile to 4.4 miles and take visitors through unique and diverse landscapes including an Atlantic white cedar swamp, mountain tops with 360-degree views, dense forests, fields and wetlands.Additionally, approximately 18 miles of the Appalachian Trail is included in the park.There are plenty of opportunities to join trails at a variety of distances.More information here.The quiet charm is what draws hikers, campers, swimmers, and boaters.Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda, creating a tranquil backdrop for canoeists, boaters, and fishermen, while steep mountains challenge casual and serious hikers alike.A nineteen-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views.More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.The varied terrain and natural features are conducive to biking.Most of the trails are multi-use.Wawayanda State Park consists of more than 60 miles of well-marked trails, plus a 19.6-mile section of the Appalachian Trail.The Appalachian Trail follows the park's varied terrain and is restricted to hiking only.The varied terrain and natural features offer equal opportunities for casual and experienced hikers alike.More information here.Mattabesett and Mount Higby Trail is a 9 mile out and back trail located near Middlefield that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate.The trail is accessible from April through October.The trail is one of the first trails envisioned by early Connecticut trail builders and remains a popular and highly visited trail today.For more information go here.Bigelow Hollow State Park and adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer more than 9,000 acres of recreational opportunities including miles of hiking trails, the 18-acre Bigelow Pond, and the 300-acre Mashapaug Pond in eastern Connecticut.Marked trails lead from Bigelow Hollow to the Breakneck area.Hikers should be prepared to hike at least 6 miles to complete a loop around Breakneck.More information here.Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, Mine Hill is the site of a 19th-century iron mine and furnace complex.Three sets of interpretive signs explain the history of Mine Hill, the ironmaking process, and its impact on the region.A 360-acre preserve, it overlooks the Shepaug River and includes six miles of hillside hiking trails.More information here.This 300-acre park is just one part of the larger valley preservation effort that encompasses 758 acres in the cities of Easton and Weston.The walking park can be accessed from north of the gate on Bradley Road in Weston and can be explored by following its dirt roads or through fields through valleys and steep hills, always under a mixed coniferous and deciduous forest cover.More information here.Macedonia Brook State Park is located in Kent, Connecticut and offers hiking trails and splendid views of the Catskill and Taconic Mountains.Visitors can camp at a 51-site campground, picnic, fish and hike the Macedonia Ridge Trail, which crosses Cobble Mountain and other peaks and offers exceptional views.Numerous springs and streams add to the pleasure of walking.More information here.For other types of activities in our area visit the "Cool and Free" section here.