Such a beautiful space, if you enjoy hiking or kayaking this place has both. Plenty of fun to be had. If you want to take your dog to the dog park, or play pickleball, you can do that here also. Definitely will be going back!

Very large walking trail park. Real nature trails, some horse trails. Lots of nature to see. I saw 🐸, 🐢, 🦌, and of course, squirrels. Great for hiking, running, or romantic stroll.

This past weekend, we packed up the car for a family trip to Mendon Ponds Park, a hidden gem nestled just outside of Rochester. It’s one of those places that combines the beauty of nature with a little bit of wonder for everyone, and we were excited to explore it with our boys and their cousins. The park itself is huge—over 2,500 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, and ponds. As we entered the park, the excitement started to build. Our boys, August, Enzo, and Roman, were bubbling over with energy, ready to explore the trails and discover something new. Their cousins joined us, making the trip feel like one big family adventure. We had packed lunches, a couple of binoculars, and a bird guidebook to make the most of what we were about to experience: a close encounter with the wildlife, especially the birds. Our first stop was the Wild Wings area. It’s a nature center that houses birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and owls, all rescued and unable to return to the wild. The boys were in awe. Seeing these majestic birds up close was a real treat, and they asked the staff tons of questions about how these birds live, hunt, and adapt to the environment. It was an incredible learning moment, but the real magic was still ahead. After leaving Wild Wings, we made our way to one of the park’s most beloved activities: hand-feeding the wild birds. The experience at Mendon Ponds is unlike any other park I’ve been to. There’s a specific area, near the Birdsong Trail, where chickadees, titmice, and even nuthatches have become so accustomed to people that they’ll land on your hand if you offer them some seeds. We came prepared, of course, with birdseed in our pockets. The kids couldn’t believe it when the tiny chickadees started fluttering down from the trees, gently landing in their hands to grab a snack. Enzo’s face lit up when the first bird came down. “It tickles!” he shouted, giggling uncontrollably, while August and Roman stood still, trying to coax their own feathered friends down from the branches. The cousins were right in the mix too, all trying to get their moment with these fearless little birds. We spent nearly an hour just standing there, mesmerized by the delicate dance of the birds flying down and back up to the trees. It was the kind of peaceful moment that sticks with you—a mix of excitement and serenity, and the kids couldn’t get enough. They learned about how to approach wildlife with respect and patience, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful that they got to experience something so pure. As we wandered further along the trail, we started spotting more wildlife—ducks in the ponds, squirrels darting up the trees, and even a couple of deer watching us from a distance. The boys began pointing out different types of birds, trying to identify them using the guidebook we brought along. It turned into a real educational experience, without any of them realizing they were learning. Mendon Ponds isn’t just about the birds, though. The park has endless trails that take you through forests and wetlands, and there’s even a glacial kettle hole—a rare geological formation—that we briefly checked out. The landscape is breathtaking, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing, painting the whole park in warm shades of orange, red, and yellow. By the time we wrapped up our visit, the kids were exhausted but in that satisfied, happy way that comes from spending the entire day outdoors. As we loaded up the car and drove home, they couldn’t stop talking about how the birds had landed right on their hands, how they’d felt like little explorers for the day. We promised we’d come back soon, maybe even for a winter visit when the park is blanketed in snow and the birds are still as welcoming as ever.

We only did a short walk by the lake below Devil's Bathtub. It was absolutely peaceful and quiet, with just the sound of the crunching snow underfoot. The road to the top of Devil's Bathtub was not plowed and closed off, but it's a short walk to the top. September update - we hiked around the area of Devils bathtub again and saw 3 snakes, one of which had just eaten something! We also found an Dagger Moth caterpillar on the trail. And lastly, the entire forested section was full of different types of mushrooms! Absolutely wonderful to see after the lack of mushrooms these past 2 years!

Nice place to go and enjoy nature 🦅 Great park for hiking 🥾and fishing 🎣; boats allowed out on pond 🚤; NO swimming 🏊‍♀️ nor camping 🏕️ is allowed; plenty of picnic areas throughout the park; lodges available for family and company events; trails for horseback riding 🐎 ; pickleball courts ; playground 🛝 area for children;