Free Fishing Day (New York State)
2023-09-23 | New York
Free fishing days offer New York State residents and non-residents who are 16 and older* to fish without a freshwater fishing license or recreational marine fishing registration (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!).
2023 Free Fishing Days Schedule

February 18-19 (President’s Day Weekend)
June 24-25
September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)

These days offer the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, to get back into the sport, or to take a friend or the whole family along to fish! Even though a license is not needed, all other fishing regulations apply.

Otsego Outdoors Beer Hike
2023-09-23 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, New York, 13326
Otsego Outdoors Beer Hike
Kick off fall and explore the trail at Brewery Ommegang.
Start off hiking the trail, open just for this event, between 10:30am and noon. This moderate hike with some steep inclines will take about an hour to complete.
This event is for ages 21+.
After the hike, find out more about Otsego Outdoors and the new Fall Octet Challenge. Otsego Outdoors partner organizations–the Otsego Land Trust, Otsego County Conservation Association, Butternut Valley Alliance and Otsego 2000–will be on hand with information on fun events and more ways to enjoy the outdoors in and near Otsego County. Brewery Ommegang will have information on their fall events too.
Limited to 100 people. Sign up in advance online. Free, donations to support Otsego Outdoors welcome.
Everyone who completes the hike receives a free beer token, courtesy of Brewery Ommegang. Tokens can be used for non-alcoholic drinks as well.
Limited to 100 hikers.

Queer Outdoors Group: Camping 101
2023-09-29 18:00 - 2023-09-30 11:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join Amy and Will for this fun chance to dip your toes into camping at Glimmerglass State Park. If you don’t feel up to spending the night, come for dinner on Friday night and hang out around the campfire. OCCA will have gear to borrow so don’t let that stop you from spending a night under the stars! Let us know on the registration form what you need so we can be sure to have enough on hand.
Will and Amy will go over the basics of how to set up a tent before starting the group campfire for dinner. OCCA will provide the protein, veggie option, condiments and smores for the group but we ask that participants bring a snack or side to share.
In the morning participants are welcome to join in on a morning walk around the park before departing.
Sign up in advance at occainfo.org

5K/5 mile Sprintin for Spartans Run
2023-10-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Unatego High School, 2641 State Hwy 7, Otsego, NY, 13825
The Alec Pitel Memorial Sprintin for Spartans 5k/5 mile run in Otego is on the grounds of The Unatego High School and its Cross-Country Course. The 5k will use the same course the high school team uses, and the 5 Mile will have some added mileage on the grounds. The walk will be more on the lawn of the Spartans home, and we will try to limit the hills.
The Unatego Spartans Booster Club has unanimously chosen to Host the Sprintin’ For Spartans Race in honor of Alec Pitel

Get the Kids Out: Hike at Glimmerglass State Park
2023-10-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join Shelby from the Otsego County Conservation Association for a fun hike at Glimmerglass State Park.
We will meet at the Nature Center at Glimmerglass State Park (enter as if you are going to Hyde Hall) and do a short activity before heading out on a hike. Explorers will keep our eyes open for animal tracks, shells, feathers, and other signs of the natural world around us. Dress for the weather.
Free, sign up in advance at occainfo.org

Butternut Valley Gravel Grinder
2023-10-07 | 4021 NY-51, Garrattsville, NY 13342, 4021 NY-51, Garrattsville,, NY, 13342
CNYC, Butternuts Brewery, and Butternut Valley Alliance (BVA) invite you to come have some fun and ride your bike on some amazing dirtphalt terrain. This event is co-sponsored by the BVA, a community non-profit whose mission is to protect and conserve the environmental qualities, farming, economic development and cultural heritage in the Butternut Creek watershed.
On site parking will be at the Butternuts Brewery, and from there you’ll take in some of the nicest (and steepest) roads in the area.
This is not a race; more like a cycling challenge. All riders will be placed and hopefully timed. Strava segments are scattered throughout the course and you are free to ride at your own pace. This ride is an adventurous and challenging day on the bike, but I’m sure some will want to ride it fast. The most important things to remember are to have some fun riding your bike and to be safe.
Choose from 15, 33 or 65 mile routes.
2023 Gravel Grinder

Hawkwatch Open House
2023-10-07 10:00 - 14:00 | DOAS Sanctuary and Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, 52 Grange Hall Road Spur, Oneonta, New York, 13820
Hawkwatch Open House at the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Sanctuary
10 a.m., a Franklin Mountain hawk counter will conduct a workshop on how to identify flying hawks. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a guided trailwalk around the Sanctuary , ending at the Hawkwatch. In the afternoon, starting at 12:30pm, we host Deborah Saltis of Falcon Heart Rescue in Herkimer, NY for a live birds of prey program.
A variety of complimentary snacks and drinks will be offered throughout the day.
Raffle items for the upcoming October 20 Charter Dinner will be on display, and raffle tickets will be available to purchase. Bird-friendly coffee will also be available for sale.
About the Live Birds of Prey Program
D
Deborah Saltis is the Founder of Falcon Heart Rescue, Inc., a non-profit wildlife rescue and educational facility in Herkimer NY. She and Matt Perry are Co-founders of the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project, which is the spark that started the rehab/educator fire in her life.
Deb went from being a non-believer of falcons nesting in downtown Utica, to a wildlife rehabilitator and educator. The knowledge she has gained from 1000’s of hours observing and interacting with the falcons has made her a near expert in falcon behavior.
Soon after starting the project, it became apparent that a closer rehabber was needed to deal with injured young falcons – the nearest one was over an hour away. Many hours of training, testing, building, learning, and licensing went into what is now a facility that rehabs many birds each year and is home to 9 educational birds as well.
Even though releasing a bird back to the wild is a thrilling event, education has been the focus and the most rewarding part of her journey thus far. “Never stop learning”

Fall Family Festival at Gilbert Lake State Park
2023-10-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
COME AND JOIN THE FUN at Gilbert Lake State Park!! It’s our last hurrah for the season AND the Fall Family Festival (Happy Halloween themed) featuring trunk or treat, site decorating, a BBQ and s’mores.
Here is a list of the activities this weekend:
SATURDAY:
10 am crafts (tent by concession)
2:30-4 pm Trunk decorating
4-5 pm Trunk or Treat followed by s’mores & BBQ
Site decorating (for cabins, Hilltop & Deer Run)–Judging of sites begins at 6 pm on 10/7/23
Local families are welcome to attend.

Mushroom Walk with OCCA
2023-10-08 14:00 - 16:00
UPDATE: The Mushroom Walk on October 8 has reached capacity, but another walk is scheduled for Oct. 29. Sign up today
OCCA and Walk leader Margret Grebowicz are thrilled at how popular the first two mushroom walks were. Again, this walk will add and reinforce knowledge for participants who came on either of the first two walks but is also open to first-time participants. Participants should dress for a walk through the woods, wearing long pants and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Margret also asks that everyone bring a small knife and paper bag for collecting. The location will be emailed to registered participants. Register at occainfo.org

Fall Foliage Hike with the Otsego Land Trust
2023-10-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Fetterley Forest, 302 Roses Hill Road, Richfield, NY, 13439
Join the Otsego Land Trust for a fall hike.
In the fall, the views from Fetterly Forest are stunning, with visibility to the lake and Deowongo Island. Tom Walsh, a local celebrity who hikes hundreds of miles across our region annually to raise money for charity, will be leading the hike,
Free, but registration required at the Otsego Land Trust website

Homeschool Nature Walk with OCCA
2023-10-20 13:00 - 14:30 | SUNY Oneonta College Camp, College Camp Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States
Join Shelby from the Otsego County Conservation Association for a Nature Walk.
October is the time for falling leaves. We will take a fall foliage walk and work on our leaf identification as we explore College Camp.

Hike with ADK at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park
2023-10-24 09:45 - 11:30 | Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, 133 Davis Road, Schenevus, New York, 12155
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads hikes every Tuesday that are open to the public. Sign in at 9:45 am for announcements, hikes begin at 10am.

OCCA Community Day at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park
2023-10-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, 133 Davis Road, Schenevus, New York, 12155
Join OCCA at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park for a guided hike, complimentary BBQ lunch, pond study, kids’ scavenger hunt, and more. OCCA will have programs throughout the day, food and lots of OCCA information. Stop in or stay all day.
10:30am: Guided Hike with OCCA Program Director, Jeff O’Handley. Join Jeff on Andy’s trail and learn about the varied ecosystems of Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.
11:00am-1:00 pm: Complimentary BBQ lunch served in the picnic area.
2:00pm: Pond Study at Weeping Willow Pond. Join our education team for an opportunity to see what is living in the pond.
All Day:

Kids Scavenger Hunt
Trick or Treating! Wear your best recycled costume.
Self Guided Hike on Andy’s Trail. Didn’t make it to the 10:30 hike, no problem, we have an informational, self-guided hike for you.
Paint and Sip (cider)-Hosted by the Queer Outdoors Group. Stop by and paint a kindness rock throughout the day. Participants can take the rock with them to hide, or we will hold onto them for a spring hike.

Coop Loop 5K and 10K
2023-10-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The Coop Loop 5K and 10K race starts and ends at The Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326. It is a moderately difficult course that travels the roads in the Village of Cooperstown. The 5k race will travel the course once, while the 10k will travel the course two times and conclude at The Clark Sports Center.

Race Cost
5k • Registration on, or before, October 27: $20, October 28-29: $30.
10k • Registration on, or before, October 27: $25, October 28-29: $35.
Family • $50 family entry fee. 5 people max, all children must be 18 or under. Individual registrations must be completed for each member. (Family registration is not available on race day).

Race Registration
Runners may pre-register online, at the Fitness Center Desk or by mail. Registration is available at The Clark Sports Center on the day of the race. Pre-registered runners may pick up their race bags in our Main Lobby starting at 11:30am. Runners who register on the day of the race may also do so in the Main Lobby starting at 11:30am.
Costume Contest
Prizes will be awarded for kids and adults the following categories:

Scariest
Funniest
Best Group
Most Creative
Best Overall

Mushroom Walk with OCCA
2023-10-29 14:00 - 16:00
OCCA and Walk leader Margret Grebowicz are thrilled at how popular this series has become. Again, this walk will add and reinforce knowledge for participants who came on any of the first three walks but is also open to first-time participants. Participants should dress for a walk through the woods, wearing long pants and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Margret also asks that everyone bring a small knife and paper bag for collecting. The location will be emailed to registered participants.

Register today at occainfo.org

Hike with ADK at the DOAS Sanctuary
2023-10-31 09:45 - 12:00 | DOAS Sanctuary and Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, 52 Grange Hall Road Spur, Oneonta, New York, 13820
Happy Halloween!
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads hikes every Tuesday that are open to the public. Sign in at 9:45 am for announcements, hikes begin at 10am.

Naked Eye Astronomy
2023-11-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Mohican Farm/OCCA offices, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
November is a beautiful month for stargazing! The skies are darker, and it’s that magic time before winter begins. Dazzling planets are on display this month, with Jupiter and Saturn views!
Join the Otsego County Conservation Association to explore a number of constellations, asterisms and possibly view the most distant object visible with the naked eye…The Andromeda Galaxy. Jim Hill will be the leader for a night of Naked Eye Astronomy at Mohican Farm.
About 6,000 stars are visible to the naked eye when you can achieve the darkest conditions. Naked-eye astronomy refers to studying the night sky without the aid of any optic device like binoculars or a telescope.
Please, bring comfortable folding chairs and dress warmly! We will meet before the presentation in the workshop on site and then return indoors afterward for hot chocolate. Free!
Stargazing is best with 100% clear and dark skies. The program will be postponed until November 11th if Jim Hill deems the skies and weather unfavorable on the 4th.
Please register at the OCCA website.

Get the Kids Out: Emmons Pond Bog
2023-11-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Emmons Pond Bog Preserve, 2028 White Hill Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States
Emmon’s Pond Bog is a delight. Join OCCA educator Shelby MacLeish as we explore the trail, awaken our senses, and reconnect with nature. Our hike will allow us to identify trees and flora and learn the natural history of Emmons Pond Bog. Free, please register at occainfo.org

Free Fishing Day
2023-11-11 | New York

Bird Walk with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
2023-11-11 08:30 - 09:30 | Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY, United States
Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society trip leader Becky Gretton for a local bird walk to complement the Glimmerglass Film Days documentary feature, Geographies of Solitude. Participants will meet promptly at 8:30 am outside the entrance to the Fenimore Art Museum. The walk will take participants through the Fenimore grounds, along the shores of Otsego Lake and will loop around back to the starting point. People should bring binoculars and dress for the weather conditions. This program is free and open to the public. Birdwatchers of all levels – novice to expert – are welcome to attend!
Geographies of Solitude begins at 10am at the Fenimore Art Museum.
Free walk, no registration needed.

Get the Kids Out: Nature Backpack Walk
2023-11-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Village Hall, Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Nature communicates through various sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. Join OCCA Educator Shelby MacLeish to explore the Village of Cooperstown as we work on getting to know our place and being more aware of our surroundings. Explorers will use Otsego Outdoors Nature Backpacks as exploration tools as we make our way through the village.
The Nature Backpacks are available to check out at Otsego County libraries. Otsego Outdoors is a collaborative program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego County Conservation Association, the Otsego Land Trust, and Butternut Valley Alliance.
This walk is held during Glimmerglass Film Days, prior to the walk, there will be a free screening of Wolfwalkers in the 3rd floor ballroom of the Village Hall.
This event if free, but you can register in advance

Guided Hike: Trees as Unique and Complex Messengers
2023-11-12 14:00 - 15:30
Learn about how trees are unique and complex messengers on a guided walk with Otsego Land Trust and SUNY Oneonta Biologist Dr. Sean Robinson. We will walk on a private 271-acre property that is protected forever through a conservation easement Otsego Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit that protects fields, forests, waterways, and scenic views in perpetuity. Free, but please register in advance at otsegolandtrust.org

Dr. Sean Robinson

Dr. Sean Robinson teaches courses in Botany including Bryology, Vascular Plant Systematics, Dendrology, and Field Botany. He is also involved in teaching an introductory organismal biology course. Dr. Robinson’s research is focused on the phylogeography of plants, particularly moss and other kinds of bryophytes. Additionally, Dr. Robinson conducts research focused on vegetation dynamics on alpine summits.
This hike will be held on privately conserved land just outside of Cooperstown, about a 10 minute drive from the Fenimore Art Museum. Address will be provided after registration.

This is a companion hike to Glimmerglass Film Days, which is presenting 27 film screenings on the theme “Messengers.”

Hike with ADK at Wilber Park
2023-11-14 09:45 - 12:00 | Wilber Park, Albert Morris Drive, Oneonta, New York, 13820

Homeschool Nature Walk at Star Field
2023-11-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Star Field, Chicken Farm Hill Road, Cooperstown, New York
Join the Otsego County Conservation Association for a hike.
Meet on Chicken Farm Hill in Cooperstown for our November Hike and explore the Star Field Trail. Only time will tell if we are still exploring a fall forest or a winter wonderland. Dress for the weather. This is part of a monthly series of activities for homeschoolers.
Free, please register at the OCCA website.

Get Everybody Outside Day After Thanksgiving Hike
2023-11-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Fetterley Forest, 302 Roses Hill Road, Richfield, NY, 13439
Come for a hike with OCCA after Thanksgiving to Opt Outside at Fetterly Forest Conservation Area in Richfield Springs. Take this opportunity to meet Executive Director Amy Wyant and explore Panther Mountain. Participants can relax, socialize, and enjoy the panoramic views of Canadarago Lake while burning off some of their Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to dress for the weather. Hope to see you there.
Free, please sign up on the OCCA website

Hike with ADK at Robert V. Riddell State Park
2023-11-28 09:45 - 12:00 | Robert V. Riddell State Park, NY-28, just north of I-88 Exit 17, Davenport, New York, 13750

Queer Outdoors Winter Hike
2023-12-03 11:00 - 12:30 | Table Rock Trails at Hartwick College, Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY, 13820
Bundle up and join the Otsego County Conservation Association for a short hike at Table Rock on the campus of Hartwick College. It’s an amazing view of the valley! It’s the perfect time of year to get the furthest views. We will provide hot beverages at the slab and point out familiar places from a new angle!
Please register in advance.

Rink Rollout at Badger Park
2023-12-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Badger Park, Beaver Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326
Help the Cooperstown Friends of the Parks get ready for ice skating and hockey at Badger Park. They could use volunteers to help roll out the liner for the ice rink at Badger Park, which is located behind the Price Chopper and CVS, off Beaver Street.
Once winter arrives, Badger Park is a great place to skate and play hockey. There are even ice skates for kids and adults to borrow for free.
Follow Cooperstown Friends of the Parks on Facebook for updates.

Hike with ADK at Glimmerglass State Park
2023-12-05 09:45 - 12:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Hike the Sleeping Lion Trail at Glimmerglass State Park.
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads hikes every Tuesday that are open to the public. Sign in at 9:45 am for announcements, hikes begin at 10am.

Homeschool Nature Walk: Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary
2023-12-08 13:00 - 14:30 | DOAS Sanctuary and Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, 52 Grange Hall Road Spur, Oneonta, New York, 13820
For the last homeschool walk of 2023, join the Otsego County Conservation Association at the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary. . The Sanctuary boasts a variety of habitats, such as open fields, second growth forest, old pastures, and mowed fields plus a boardwalk and views of Oneonta. Let’s investigate a winter forest together and see what we find. The address is 52 Grange Hall Road Spur, Oneonta.
