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New York State offers an infinite number of ways to enjoy the great outdoors: sleeping under the stars, walking through a virgin forest or reaching the top of a mountain peak for a breathtaking view. A hiking and camping vacation is a wonderful way to see the land as it was before civilization -- natural, rugged, uninhabited and beautiful. The Adirondacks are both wild and friendly -- perfect for enjoying the outdoors. An extraordinary hiking trail system leads to the highest peaks, the loveliest waterfalls and isolated lakes. One Adirondack hike that never fails to delight is the trail to Avalanche Lake, an easy hike through wild territory leading to a remote lake so beautiful that it is hard to believe that your are not the first to find it. Phelps Mountain is a moderate climb rewarded by 360 degree views of the high peaks. Mt. Jo is a simple and relatively brief trip and will leave you with enough energy for a cool dip in Heart Lake. By contrast, even the most in-shape hikers are challenged by Mt. Marcy. At 5,300 feet, it is New York State's highest mountain.

The Bureau of Recreation at the Department of Environmental Conservation publishes the free booklet "Camping in NYS Forest Preserves," which describes developed campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills. Preserve Protection and Management at DEC produces free publications describing several of the Adirondack trails. For a complete listing of camping and hiking opportunities in New York State. Information on the Adirondacks can also be obtained from the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). The ADK, New York's oldest hiking club, maintains the Adirondack Loj and Johns Brook Lodge, in addition to camping and lean- to facilities in the Adirondack High Peaks area. The Adirondack Loj hiking outpost is the beginning of several trails that vary in degree of difficulty. ADK publications include guidebooks, books on wilderness and nature topics, educational brochures, "Adirondac" magazine and trail maps.

The Delaware River in the Catskills is the perfect outdoor vacation spot, with tubing, rafting, canoeing and even camping along the way! And the companies listed here will provide everything, from an industrial strength innertube to canoes, rafts and a place to camp.

The traditional, tree-lined golf courses in New York State are unique - and distinguished - in the world of golf. Marked by gentle terrain and lush green lawns, the state's 600 public and private golf courses can be found nestled next to lakes and woods -- on some of the most picturesque land in the country. Even masters of golf will find a challenge at New York State parks. Championship status has been awarded to James Baird and Rockland Lake North in the Hudson Valley; Saratoga Spa; Battle Island in Fulton; Chenango Valley in Binghamton; Green Lakes in Fayetteville; Beaver Island in Grand Island; and Montauk Downs and the five layouts at Bethpage on Long Island. Join us for a round.

You're a Western rider and you believe it's the only way -- or you ride English and believe Western riders are missing something. In New York State we just like to ride -- Western or English. So no matter what boots you wear, we have plenty of dude ranches, farms and trails to enjoy your passion. Dude ranches offer a variety of choices, from low-cost to deluxe, for the horse-loving family, couple or single vacationer. Each has its specialty -- crossing the Hudson River on horseback, cookouts on the trail, moonlight hayrides, bass and trout fishing, polo, guest participation rodeos, square dancing or trap shooting. Traditionally New York's dude ranch season is from May through November, although an increasing number operate year-round and offer ice-skating, snowmobiling and both alpine and cross-country skiing. If you own a horse we have abundant trail systems. The Department of Environmental Conservation, Preserve Protection and Management will provide information and guide books to trail systems throughout the state. Several state park facilities include horse trails, ranging from short bridle paths at Clermont and John Jay Homestead site to sophisticated horse trail networks at Connetquot State Park Preserve, Allegany State Park and the Rockefeller State Preserve.

You'll notice first the silence, then perhaps the wind when you are airborne in a motorless sail-plane. Experienced glider pilots will take you for a ride or give you soaring lessons. Sky Sailors in Westhampton Beach on Long Island will give couples a romantic sightseeing tour and individuals demonstration trips and lessons over the beautiful Hamptons area. On a clear day you can see from New York City to Montauk. In the Catskills, Wurtsboro Flight Service, Inc. in Wurtsboro flies over the oldest soaring site in America. With more than 60 planes, the company offers tours and lesson programs year-round. Take a scenic flight over Mark Twain countryÉElmira. Harris Hill Soaring offers soaring rides over Chemung County's rolling, grassy terrain. Lessons are offered in Elmira at the Schweitzer Soaring School. Whether you are new to the experience or an established soaring enthusiast, you will love the National Soaring Museum in Elmira. The museum houses the world's largest exhibit of fully assembled classic and contemporary sailplanes and historic gliders. There are also history and science exhibits of flying from the Wright Brothers to space shuttles. Enjoy WWII gliders, cock-pit simulator Sailplane rides and hourly films.

Take a bicycle tour through the Hudson Valley, an area blessed with world class attractions for visitors interested in recreation, art, culture, history, general entertainment, superb restaurants, the breath-taking beauty of the country-side, or local wineries and farmers markets. Three tours of Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley have been developed. You can order all three free, but we'll start you off with Tour Number One, a 60-mile trip through the Hyde Park Historic Sites, Rhinebeck and Red Hook. Start at the Hyde Park Town Hall and travel north three-tenths of a mile to the Vanderbilt Mansion. Then visit Mills Mansion, a 1895 Beaux Arts mansion, with paintings, period furnishings and Oriental objects d'art. Travel to Montgomery Place, , the 1804 Livingston mansion, a 23-room family estate with 434-acre woods, garden and nature trails; Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, which houses vintage aeroplanes, flying WW1 and earlier aircraft and offers open cockpit biplane rides; Val- Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt's private retreat; and Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and his Library and Museum. Then complete your tour with a return to the Town Hall. The route, which is easy to drive, goes along some hills, goes through the heart of the Hudson River Historic District and features Hudson River views and farm landscapes. Tour Number Two is 27 miles and goes through Pleasant Valley, Clinton Corners and Schultzville. Tour Number Three is 39 miles and goes through Pleasant Valley, Millbrook, Verbank and Clinton Corners.

A whisper-quiet canoe ride through the Adirondacks reveals unspoiled streams and lakes that have remained essentially unchanged since they were first used by Native Americans. Canoe country in the Adirondacks extends from Old Forge northwest through numerous lakes and rivers to Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths and Saranac Lake. One of the most popular routes begins at Old Forge and takes you through the Fulton Chain of Lakes to Raquette Lake. From there you can continue north to the Saranac Lakes through Long Lake and then on to Tupper, or go east to Blue Mountain Lake. There are many campsites along the route. Marinas and sea-plane services offer transportation back to the point of origin. Nick's Lake, a small body of water with pristine beaches and forested shores just two miles from Old Forge, is good for novice paddlers. The north branch of the Moose is more of a challenge -- on a map it looks like a long, tangled skein of rope. At Lake Lila canoeists find a large loon population, an active osprey population and five islands. Wherever you travel, you will find boat liveries, marinas and other businesses where you can rent a canoe and receive guidance on launching points and where to go.

New information published by the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers in Paul Smiths and Newcomb opens up a whole world of little known pleasures for visitors to the 6 million-acre park. "Family Camping Itineraries in the Adirondack Park" offers detailed information on the attractions, scenic roads, fishing, boating, history and New York State campgrounds close to all the fun. Itineraries include a "Lake Champlain Compass of History" tour, the "Tri-Lakes Traverse" tour and the "Adirondack Heydays" tour, with details about canoe and boat launches, garnet mines, swimming and more. "Adirondack Park Challenge III: Day Hikes and Paddles for Families with Children" outlines 11 outings off the beaten path. The "Challenge" program is supported by the Adirondack Park Institute, Inc., friends of the Visitor Interpretive Centers. The Institute will award a colorful patch to anyone hiking a trail at either Visitors Interpretive Center and then completing five of the 11 trips outlined in the new brochure.

Both centers offer daily guided trail walks along their own systems of walking paths. Naturalists explain the flora and fauna found on the trails, as well as discuss such topics as why acid rain remains a problem in the park. The Huntington Lecture Series in Newcomb offers talks on natural history subjects Thursdays in July and August at 8 pm. In Paul Smiths, the Adirondack Almanac Series will feature wildlife lectures and live animal presentations every Wednesday at 7:30 pm during July and August. The Adirondack Park and Visitor Interpretive Centers are operated by the State of New York Adirondack Park Agency.

Many New Yorkers have dreamed of one day being able to bike or hike across the state on a continuous multi-use trail along the historic and scenic Canal System. Many portions of the statewide trail already exist, including the Hudson- Mohawk Trail in the Capital-Saratoga region and the Old Erie Canal State Park and the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in the western part of the state. Over 120 miles of the trail will be developed in coming years, and there is a statewide commitment to see that the vision becomes a reality in a Canal Way Trail system.