Chautauqua Gorge State Forest — Attraction in Town of Chautauqua

I grew up here, and I love it dearly. Hanum road its self leads to a dirt road, with suitable parking. It's free to camp, and there's no limit I know of on when or how long you can stay. There are a few dumpsters and recycling bins. It has a couple marked paths, but in most places the forest isn't so dence you need one.

That being said a lot of them are wonderful, there's a path near the entrance on the right, that eventually leads into a deer trail. (We go up in the spring to collect leeks). The path down to the gorge is steep (probably 25-40°) but worth it to swim in the spring water feed crick. And the small path at the end of the dirt road leads to lookout point: a natural path suspended off the edge of the cliff looking down into the gorge. This is absolutely breath taking in the fall when the leaves are changing. (If your dubious of heights, or wrangling toddlers The circular path around the main pavilion has a couple safer lookout boxes over a similar view.)

In recent years the State/rangers have been working to make it more family friendly. (Adding flame resistant pavilions, having dedicated camping sites, and increasing the rangers' presents to cut back on illegal activity) so it is more family friendly then when my parents would bring my siblings (1 & 3 at the...

Skinnydip Falls is amazing! The water can be cold, so expect shrinkage and the climb up that hill sucks hahaha.

Had a water snake swim within 2 feet from me last time but it didn't want anything to do with me. It was kinda comical.

Only bad experience the wife and I had was some creeper was on the upper path stalking us. Everytime we moved from his vantage point his creepy bald head would pop up in a new spot. Eventually I lost it and told him I get moving which thankfully he did.

Some people don't know how to act I guess...

Great spot though! We have gone swimming here in the buff many times and will again. Thank you to whomever owns this/ makes this available.

Wish there were more spots like this where adults...

This is a regular place for anyone who lives in the area! Great place for kids and adults that love the outdoors. Many hiking trails, swimming holes, fishing, picnics, relaxing by a fire, and camping! This is real camping with no water, electricity, or restrooms; however it you love the outdoors and peace of nature this is the place for you. Only downside is young noisy partiers and the path to the Gorge has slowly been deteriorated over the years and is very steep, so younger children will need a hand going up and down. We visit all the time and have a great time no matter if we're camping for the weekend, hiking for the day, or just cooking out for dinner and relaxing around the campfire for the evening! Highly...