Five outdoor adventures in Genesee County

Spring is here and it's time to get outside!  There are numerous opportunities to have some outdoor adventures in Genesee County. We've compiled a list to guide and inspire you to go commune with the natural world. Here are five spots that will be wonderful places to enjoy the outdoors this spring and beyond. Go for a hike at Darien Lakes State Park - The Conservation Trail is 177 miles long and travels from the Pennsylvania state border north to the Canadian border in Niagara Falls, NY. The trail passes right through Genesee County and Darien Lakes State Park. There are trail heads on Rt. 20 and Sumner Road in Darien Center. The trail length through the park is two miles of mostly flat hiking. Darien Lakes State Park is located at 10475 Harlow Road, Darien Center, NY 14040.

Kayaking or canoeing on the Tonawanda Creek in Batavia. There are two easy put-in spots in Batavia and East Pembroke. Springtime is the optimum season to get on the waterway, when water levels are higher. Paddle through the city or out through the farmlands...the choice is yours. The Batavia launch is located inside Kiwanis Park on Rt. 5/Main Street and the East Pembroke launch is located on the northside of Rt. 5 in East Pembroke. There are additional boat launches at Harlow Lake in Darien Lakes State Park, Oak Orchard Creek in Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Red Bridge Area of LeRoy. Explore a "living museum" at the Bergen Swamp. The swamp is a 1,900 acre National Natural Landmark and designated as a "Living Museum." The nature preserve offers a unique natural habitat for many rare plants and a number of rare and endangered species of animals. Due to it being a nature preserve, there are very specific rules that need to be followed in order to visit - they can be found here. Bergen Swamp is located at 6646 Hessenthaler Road, Byron, NY 14422. Go fishing at the Dewitt Recreation Area in Batavia. The park's 38-acre pond offers almost a mile of shoreline to fish for bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie and much more. You would be surprised at the size of some of these fish. Small boats are also allowed. The lake was a former sand and gravel quarry and is regularly stocked with fish each year. Dewitt Recreation Area is located at 115 Cedar Street, Batavia, NY 14020.

Look for Bald Eagles at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Look up high above,and you just spot a majestic bald eagle soaring over their habitat at the refuge. Eagles have resided at New York State's largest wildlife refuge since the mid-1980s. There are often public opportunities to view these impressive creatures through the help of volunteers. While visiting the refuge, you must check out their fun and informative visitors center. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013.