The Cumming Nature Center

Activity Overview

If you're looking for some wilderness or solitude in the proximity of the city, head over with your family to the Cumming Nature Center in the town of Naples, NY. The Cumming nature center is an extension of the Rochester Museum and Science center (RMSC), and the nature center is located just 40 minutes south of Rochester. The nature center is a wonderful spot for outdoor recreational activities near Rochester, it offers hiking trails, skiing, snowshoeing, maple sugaring process in the spring, and many educational programs by the education center. The beautiful 900-acre nature preserve has a special area for the toddlers to play in. The hiking trails are open Wednesday through Sunday.

Things to Do

• Families visiting the nature center can enjoy hiking on the hiking trails, there are 6 miles of well maintained hiking trails, you can also take your pets to a couple of trails.
• Explore beauty of nature and flora and fauna of the area, The Beaver trail has an observation tower for wildlife viewing, the trail has meadows, forests, streams and marshes.
• You can spot Deer, rabbits and beavers on the trails.
• See an 18th-century homestead as you hike on the Pioneer trail, The Conservation trail has trees with signage, and features a working sawmill and a fire tower replica.
• Toddlers can enjoy playing in the leap frog pond, it has over-sized frogs, turtles, lily pads and mushrooms.
• Families can bring a picnic lunch or enjoy snacks at the visitor center.
• The maple sugaring event each Spring is a favorite spring time activity for many families, see the production of maple syrup from maple tree sap, discover techniques used by the Native Americans.
• The maple sugaring event involves maple syrup tasting, taste the purest maple syrup, and enjoy pancake meals made of pure maple syrup in the visitor center.

The Cumming Nature Center Insider Tips

• RMSC members can visit for free.
• Restrooms are available.