### 1. Oatka Creek Park - Wheatland, NY 30 minutes south of Rochester in the Town of Wheatland, Oatka Creek Park is a hidden gem for outdoor recreation in the Genesee Valley. ![Oatka Creek Park | Photo by Rick Venvertloh](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/80d94faa-9940-4b9a-a58d-104eea24cdc1-oatka-creek-photo-by-rick-venvertloh.jpg) **Why we love it:** On hot summer days you and your pup can explore the park’s many trails under the cover of shady trees, but the main attraction is the creek that borders the Northern end of the park. The Gypsum Hollow Trail, Warbler Loop, Woodland Trail and Trout Run Trail all provide multiple creek access points where you and your pup can wade in and cool off. ![Oatka Creek Access at Warbler Loop | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/4a983053-f99a-455d-8b07-3376d98d96dc-oatkacreektrails_creek-bridge.png) With nearly 500 acres of forests and open meadows along the stunning Oatka Creek, the park offers a range of all season activities aside from creek wading including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, paddling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and bird watching. ![Black Bill Cuckoo Trail | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/14a81cd8-01e6-46ab-bac3-b88b4954ffd4-oatkacreektrail_forest.png) **More Insider Tips:** * Oatka Creek Park is uncrowded, but take care to keep your dog under control and respect the abundant wildlife and horseback riders on the trails. * Oatka Creek Park is just a 5 minute drive to Wheatland’s main street district in Scottsville. Grab an iced coffee and sandwich and relax on the shady lawn at the Artisan Coffeehouse or treat you and your pup to a cone of local Perry's ice cream at iKON Ice Cream. --- ### 2. Avon Driving Park - Avon, NY A little further south from Oatka Creek Park is Avon Driving Park. Don’t let the name fool you, the park has nothing to do with golf or cars. Its namesake comes from the park’s history as a horse race track which was laid out in 1836. ![Mill Street Bridge, Avon Driving Park | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/244a09a0-a8c7-42be-85f7-0ebe1666d8d4-millstbridge_avon_zoe.png) **Why we love it:** The Avon Community Fitness & Nature Trail, a 2 mile loop around the park, includes an extension to the iconic Five Arches Bridge, where you can access the Conesus Creek. Along the trail, you’ll find a series of waterholes and small waterfalls at the western edge of the park. ![Conesus Creek, Avon Driving Park | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/f6e59763-17f3-460d-ba90-df80a68a6c12-conesuscreek_avonpark.png) To find this spot, head south toward the fitness trail from the parking area until you see a mowed path entering the woods to your right. Following the path, you will begin to see Conesus Creek. Continue until you see a rough path leading to the creek. Keep an eye out for poison ivy as you follow the path to the water! ![Five Arches Bridge, Avon, NY | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/a742fce4-f79c-4d81-8cee-88a807d4d073-fivearchesavon.png) **What’s that smell?** Fun fact: the park is also home to the historic Avon Sulfur Springs health spa. From 1821 until the early 20th century, extensive health and recreational facilities graced the area to attract and accommodate guests from far and wide who came to seek relief from various maladies. These days, you can still smell the sulfur along the creek(but we can't promise any health benefits!). **More Insider Tips** * **More to explore**. Along with creek access, the park offers playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic pavillions, a gazebo, a dog park and even an ice skating rink if you come back in the winter! * **Grab a bite and a beer:** Check out Duffy’s, a divey spot with outdoor seating in a converted train depot where you can watch trains come and go. If you’ve got kids in tow, venture down the road to the iconic Tom Wahl’s for their famous homemade root beer and an ice cream for your pup(s)! --- ### 3. Wesley Hill Nature Preserve - Honeoye Lake, NY If Zoe and I had to choose an all-time favorite spot to adventure, it would be this nature preserve located 30 miles east of Avon, overlapping with the Finger Lakes. Maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, the preserve is a 390-acre protected area featuring diverse stands of mature forest, a wide array of wildflowers, sweeping vistas of the hills surrounding Honeoye Lake, and a diverse range of trails for all levels and abilities. ![Wesley Hill Nature Preserve, Briggs Gull | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/1fbf67c1-9ea5-4ae6-b3f6-ffa24b23c68e-wesleynaturepreserve_beng.jpg) **Why we love it:** Wesley Hill Nature Preserve has it all—open meadows, steep and challenging gullies with rushing waters, the smell of hemlocks, the soft cushion of fallen needles underfoot, breathtaking views, and rarely any crowds. Zoe loves to be off leash and meet other cool dogs and owners on the trail. But best of all for summertime is the waterfall and pool at Briggs Gully (where Zoe first learned to swim!). The pristine pond on the Red Trail, not far from the main parking area, is another wonderful place for full-on swimming and cooling off before or after your hike. ![Pond at Red Trail, Wesley Hill Nature Preserve | Photo Credit: Nicole Manapol](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/b1635ad5-1635-48e4-8c17-6bc6ddd0763f-wesleyhillnaturepreserve_zoe_redtrail_pond-medium.png) **More Insider Tips** * **Pre-hike fuel:** I often stop at the Cornerstone Bakery and Deli in town on my way to Wesley Hill for savory pastries and a coffee for an energy boost. * **Post-hike eats and libations:** Do not miss Birdhouse Brewing Co. with its outdoor family-friendly vibe, live music, fire pits and some of the best brewery food around. [Mill Creek Cafe](https://www.facebook.com/MillCreekCafeNY/) is another great choice if you’re looking for a full-service restaurant and ice cream joint. * **Shopping**: Next door to Birdhouse you’ll find the Reed Homestead Gift Shop and more quaint downtown stores with fun finds for you and your pup. * --- ### 4.Keshequa Creek at Sonyea State Forest - Mount Morris Located along the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park about 15 minutes outside of Mount Morris, this 922 acre state forest features several waterfalls and a canyon-like gorge. ![](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/4d749389-29d9-4848-ba7e-200b415ec7cd-img_3544.jpeg) **Why we love it:** Getting to the creek is no easy task. It involves a fairly challenging hike downhill and back out of the gorge but, oh, what a reward to swim under waterfalls and float in the water while staring up at those gorge walls on a hot summer day! The Keshequa Creek waterfalls and dramatic gorge is truly a local secret, largely because getting there is not easy! Google Maps never fails to misdirect visitors to an access point that no longer exists, but we’ve got you covered with turn by turn directions in our trail guide. **More Insider Tips** * **This area gets buggy in the summer**. Make sure you bring ample mosquito repellent and appropriate clothing to protect you until you can jump in the water! * **Where to eat and drink:** There are no shortages of places for you and your pup to find refreshment in nearby Mount Morris. Some of our favorites with outdoor, dog-friendly seating include: Zeppo’s Creekside Creamery and Highbanks Tavern. --- ### 5. Wiscoy Falls - Hume, NY Just 15 minutes South of Letchworth State Park, tucked away off Route 19A is a breathtaking series of natural waterfalls. The three tiers of falls spill into a creekbed where the locals enjoy wading and swimming in the summer. ![Wiscoy Falls - Hume, NY | Photo Credit: Nina Piccini](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/9031d557-bf00-4ad5-a980-34488d3f4f4b-hume_wiscoyfalls-9.jpeg) **Why we love it**: Wiscoy Falls is like nature's water park. It's is a great pit stop for cooling off and stretching your legs if you’re traveling on Route 19A by car or bike, and always a hit with kids. Hike up to the third set of falls (furthest from the parking area) to enjoy calmer waters, less people, and natural pools formed by craters in the rock that allow you to sit down, submerged in the water as if you were in a hot tub! Its proximity to Letchworth makes it a great place to pop in for a post-hike dip after visiting the park. **More Insider Tips** * **Wiscoy Falls is popular with families**. Make sure to keep your dog under control and leashed when around others, especially small children. * **Good eats to the south:** Head south on 19A to visit the new Valley Bread and Bounty Bakery and Cafe in Fillmore where you can find everything from gluten free sourdough and salt rising bread to home baked cookies. Just opposite the cafe is Dirienzo’s Ice Cream, known for its amazing selection of soft serve (custard) ice cream. * **Dog-friendly ice cream:** If you're heading back toward Letchworth, make a stop at Zoe's favorite place for ice cream Butter Meat Co. This specialty grocery store in Perry sells sustainable beef from a local organic dairy farm. Ask for a "doggy dish"—a small serving of homemade ice cream topped with dehydrated beef liver "sprinkles"—and don't forget a cone for yourself. If your dog loves the dehydrated liver as much as Zoe, purchase a bag of their healthy liver treats to take home. ![Butter Meat Co. Doggie Dish - Perry, NY | Photo Credit: Nina Piccini](https://cdn.elebase.io/b2174436-136b-44ff-8e90-91b9bd22047b/c9e046d3-8359-42f2-ad79-9123e737eeb3-alvinbuttermeatco_perry.png) --- *We hope you enjoyed this round up of our favorite dog-friendly watering holes in the Genesee Valley. Be sure to tag us on your adventures while you **#ExploreGeneseeValley** for a chance to be featured on our social media. Share your own favorite spots with us at **@ExploreGeneseeValley** on [Instagram](instagram.com/exploregeneseevalley) and [Facebook](facebook.com/exploregeneseevalley).*

Where to Take Your Dog Swimming This Summer