Visit Cattaraugus County

Visit The Enchanted Mountains of Western New York

Visit the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York where you are invited to take in scenic views and enjoy the diverse cultural experiences the area has to offer. We are “Naturally Yours to Enjoy,” and offer year-round activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

More than ever, we have learned to take full advantage of a fun event. Our most enthralling include Ellicottville’s Fall Festival, Night Lights, The Falling Leaves Festival, Santa Claus Lane Parade, and The Cattaraugus County Fair. There are plenty more for every interest or taste! 

Our mesmerizing attractions are kid approved, but parents will love them too! Griffis Sculpture Park is a collection of outdoor sculptures surrounded by the beauty of nature. Rock City Park in Olean offers views from atop rocks up to three stories high and then below and sometimes through them, as well. Onoville Marina launches visitors to waters with over 90 miles of non-commercialized shorelines. Allegany State Park has been making family memories and traditions for over 100 years. The Amish Trail opens doors to a culture that contrasts modern conveniences and ever changing technology. Holiday Valley and HoliMont, two ski resorts in the town of Ellicottville, create a magical winter wonderland experience that looks as if they're straight out of a painting. Adults can enjoy the thrill of the slots at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, dancing the night away with live local music, sampling delicious craft brews, or dining on exquisite cuisine. Visit the Onöhsagwë:dé Cultural Center for an engaging tour of Seneca-Iroquois history.

Our charming towns offer incredible hospitality and plenty of options for dining and accommodations. Fun is only a short walk or drive away, whether that means hiking the deep wooded forests, diving into a different culture, or that spooky feeling at a local haunted house.

Top Experiences in the Enchanted Mountains

Allegany State Park

New York’s Largest State Park lies right in Salamanca’s backyard and offers a multitude of year-round, outdoor activities. The two sections of the park, Red House Area and Quaker Area, offer natural adventures for those seeking to explore the great outdoors.

The Art Roscoe Trail System features 24 miles of interconnecting loop trails. These trails are some of the best single-track and double-track Mountain Biking in Western NY. There are miles of other trails, perfect for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

In the summer months, enjoy Red House and Quaker Lakes. Whether you like to swim, fish, kayak, or just relax on the sandy beach, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re yearning to be surrounded by wilderness and not much more, or you simply want to experience the outdoors with the comforts of home, Allegany State Park has you covered. Able to accommodate any size group, Allegany State Park offers a total of 348 cabins, 4 group camps, 53 upscale cottages, and 3 campgrounds in the park. Tent, camper, and RV site rentals are available.

Visitors will enjoy the interesting exhibits found in the Natural History Museum located in the Red House Administration Building. The old Quaker Store houses a park museum displaying unique features and attractions both past and present, and the history of Allegany State Park.

There are gift shops, a restaurant, and other attractions such as the Stone Tower, Thunder Rocks, a beaver pond, Bridal Falls, and the old fire towers. Enjoy time making memories around the campfire with your family and friends.

Allegheny River

Fifty miles of the Allegheny River flows through the Enchanted Mountains and has so much beauty to offer. It is not uncommon to see deer, bear, or even a bald eagle soaring overhead. There are multiple launch points along the river, and some are even handicap accessible.

Griffis Sculpture Park

Griffis Sculpture Park is a collection of outdoor sculptures surrounded by the beauty of nature. The park features over 250 large scale sculptures dispersed through miles of hiking trails. Each sculpture was placed with the natural setting in mind, creating a truly unique experience between art and nature.

The park is actually split into two sections: Rohr Hill Road Site and Mill Valley Road Site. The Rohr Hill area is characterized by towering sculptures set in fields and woods just off the road. The Mill Valley Road Site features both a smooth walk area, as well miles of trails through a variety of terrain.

Open from dawn to dusk, you can visit the Park from May 1st to Halloween. Don't forget to look for Night Lights to return in the fall, from mid-September through Columbus Day!

Rock City Park

View the majestic geological spectacle of enormous rock formations at Rock City Park, often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. It is the world’s largest exposure of quartz and attracts thousands of visitors yearly for the unique hiking trails and breathtaking views.

New York’s Amish Trail

When you travel through the New York Amish Trail, you will find unique handiworks and observe Amish culture - a culture so far from the modern world. New York's Amish Trail in Cattaraugus County is not your typical Amish community; this pastoral settlement consists of an Old Order Amish people that continue to live out their day to day lives the old-fashioned way.

Here you can slow down, and enjoy a simpler way of life. Follow hand-painted signs down the side roads to the Amish businesses where you can purchase a wide variety of goods, each made with incomparable hand craftsmanship. No modern conveniences such as electric and motorized vehicles are used to carry out their responsibilities for the day.

Please remember to respect the privacy and personal property of our Amish neighbors. They do not like to be photographed as it is against their beliefs. Photos of the scenic countryside can be taken. As you tour the enchanted countryside, drive cautiously and watch for black, slow-moving, horse-drawn buggies.

Leave your debit and credit cards at home as they only accept cash. Shops are closed on Sundays, some Wednesdays, and certain holidays.

Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center

The Onöhsagwë:dé Cultural Center in Salamanca, is truly a place you need to experience. The impressive facility houses the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, and has components of an educational facility, living culture elements, and performance spaces.

The Cultural Center brings ample space and the technology needed to bring some of the Seneca artifacts home and properly care for them.

A classroom is available for groups and educational tours. Students can be guided through the museum and then come back to the classroom for more educational videos and lectures and a chance to ask Cultural Specialists specific questions they may have.

Ellicottville, NY

Ellicottville is a charming little ski town in the Enchanted mountains known for their two ski resorts, Holiday Valley and HoliMont but they also offer an array of activities year-round with their golf course, dining, nightlife and festivals throughout the year. Sky High Aerial Adventure Park, the ropes course through the treetops, also calls Ellicottville home.