Facts

The Largest New York State Park is Allegany State Park which is the 3rd largest in the nation with 65,000 acres (97 square miles) and lots of trails. Allegany State Park has over 35 miles of Cross Country skiing trails, 18 hiking trails and 5.6 miles of paved multi-use trails (horseback riding, snowmobiling and more) around Red House Lake area. 3 campground areas with over 375 cabins.

The cabin at Pfeiffer Nature Center is made entirely of American Chestnut, which is now extinct.

Over 130 Old Order Amish Shops in an uncommercialized setting. Visit AmishTrail.com for more information on the Old Order Amish.

Over 425 Miles of state funded snowmobile trails, including 69 miles within Allegany State Park.

HoliMont is the largest private ski resort in North America and has 52 slopes and 8 chair lifts.

Griffis Sculpture Park is located on over 400 acres and holds over 250 sculptures.

Cattaraugus Creek has been listed in the top 10 sites for Steelhead Fishing (rainbow trout fishing) by 2 outdoor magazines. Steelhead Trout AKA Rainbow trout are very similar to Salmon in both taste and habits. Unlike other areas of the United States, our native Rainbow trout (Steelhead Trout) spend a majority of time in Lake Erie a freshwater lake and spawn in the Cattaraugus Creek and other tributaries.

The following is from the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation's article "Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries"

Lake Erie's tributary streams, both big and small, receive an annual run of migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead." From October through April, thousands of steelhead ascend New York's Lake Erie tributaries on their mission to spawn. Excellent fishing opportunities await any angler who wishes to try their hand at steelhead fishing. Between the acrobatic leaps, long drag-screaming runs and rod quaking head shakes, the fight of an early run steelhead is a truly exhilarating experience.

Read more about Steelhead/Rainbow fishing on the Cattaraugus Creek

Cattaraugus County was named #1 overall by New York Game and Fish Magazine for turkey hunting and is in the top three for deer hunting by DEC reports.

Miner’s Cabin in Franklinville was built by a miner that returned home after making it good during the gold rush era of the west coast. The building is not a cabin either but a three story house of Queen Anne design.

There are approximately 1,380 residents in Leon with the Amish Community comprising about 76% of that number. The Old Order Amish settled in Leon in 1949. They do not believe in the modern conveniences. They have no electricity in their homes + travel by horse and buggy. 

If you are looking for someplace interesting to go, try the Leon area. It is right in the heart of Amish Country.

The highest point in Cattaraugus County is Clare Mark, at 2,430 feet.  This mount, in the Town of Allegany off Chipmunk Road, is privately owned, and does not have public access for hiking.  Nearby attractions are Rock City Park and Allegany State Park.

According to the DEC, a 128 foot tall basswood within Zoar Valley has been reported to be the tallest basswood in the world.