The Experience

Arrive at the Pilgrimage and prepare to explore forests, fields, lakes and streams. Allegany State Park has tremendous natural diversity. Come and immerse yourself in the outdoors. Evenings you might attend a presentation under the big tent in the company of hundreds of pilgrims. Other times of the day - from early morning to late at night - you choose from dozens of small-group programs. You might sit and talk or take a hike. Programs range from an hour-and-quarter to all-day. Nature topics include trees, flowers, ferns, insects, birds, salamanders, reptiles, tracks and signs, mammals, geology, astronomy, ecology and more. You might also find a class in yoga, paper-making, photography ​and more!

Schedule

Friday
  • 10:00am  Registration Opens
  • 1:00pm  Walks & Talks
  • 2:30pm  Walks & Talks
  • 6:00pm  Walks & Talks
  • 7:00pm  Registration Table Closes
  • 8:00pm  Evening Keynote Program under the Big Tent
  • 9:30-ish  Night Walks & Programs
Saturday
  • 6:00am   Early Morning Bird Walk
  • 7:00am   Bird Banding
  • 8:00am   Registration Table Opens
  • 9:00am   Walks & Talks
  • 10:30am Walks & Talks
  • 12:00pm Registration Closes
  • 12:00pm Hot Dog Sale to benefit Falconer Kiwanas Club
  • 1:00pm   Walks & Talks 
  • 2:30pm   Walks & Talks
  • 5-6pm     Chicken Barbecue or Vegetarian Dinner
  • 5:30pm   Folk Concert with Nan Hoffman & Joe Turino 
  • 6:00pm   Walks & Talks
  • 8:00pm   Evening Keynote Program under the Big Tent
  • 9:30-ish   Night Walks & Programs
Sunday
  • 6:00am    Early Morning Bird Walk
  • 7:00am    Bird Banding
  • 9:00am    Walks & Talks
  • 10:30am  Walks & Talks

Registration

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Indian Cucumber Root
You can pre-register up to one week before the Pilgrimage. After that date, plan on checking in and paying at the Registration table when you arrive at Camp Allegany. For people who can't commit to the whole weekend, we offer a day rate.
Click here for the registration page where you can register and pay with your PayPal account or credit card. There are early bird and member discounts through April 24th. 
If you prefer paper, you can download and print a registration form and mail it with a check to our registrar.

Lodging

Participants are responsible for securing their own lodging.
  • To reserve a cabin or campsite in Allegany State Park, contact Reserve America at 1-800-456-2267, or by clicking –> here. Reservations for spring and summer camping open the previous September. The following cabin trails in the Red House Area of the park are closest to the event location at Camp Allegany: Anderson, Beehunter, Congdon, Macintosh, Ryan, Sugarbush. The Bova Cottages are also nearby and can be reserved here.
  • If you prefer a motel or hotel, look for accommodations in nearby communities such as Salamanca, NY or Bradford, PA. Call Cattaraugus Tourism (800) 331-0543 or click here for a list of nearby hotels/motels. compiled in 2023
  • We have blocked a limited number of rooms at two hotels. Both are 15 minutes from Camp Allegany, where most programs originate. A park entrance fee may be required. To secure a room, request the “Allegany Nature Pilgrimage” rate. 

Food

Participants are responsible for their own food, but the event does offer these options:
  • Saturday Lunch – 12pm to 1:30pm - The Falconer Kiwanis Club will be hosting a hot dog sale at Camp Allegany for Pilgrimage attendees. $6 for one hot dog meal (hot dog, chips or cookie, and beverage.) $7 for veggie dog meal. Cash only.
  • Saturday Dinner – 5pm-6pm - Chicken BBQ and vegetarian dinners can be pre-ordered during online registration only for an additional $13. Orders must be placed by May 20th. NOTE: The chicken BBQ and vegetarian meals will be served near the Big Tent. This year the vegetarian meal is a stuffed Portobello mushroom. Both the chicken BBQ and vegetarian meal come with baked beans, macaroni salad and a dinner roll. Cookies and bottled drinks will be available to purchase separately when picking up your meal. $1.50 for a medium-size cookie and $2 for a beverage. Cash only. 
  • Nearby Restaurants: There is a full service restaurant in the Red House administration building at the park. There are also places in nearby Salamanca, NY and Bradford, PA.

Misc. Information

There are two major areas in the Park, Red House and Quaker, with ASP 1 running between the Red House Administration Building and the Quaker Area Rental Office; 8 mi. long, 35 mph speed limit. The topography is gently rolling to steep slopes and the park size is 65,000 acres, 10 x 14 miles at widest points.
  • Allegany State Park Visitors Map
  • Detailed Topo map with hiking trails
  • Current weather in Allegany State Park (NWS)
  • There is a Camp Store on ASP 1, across from Red House Campground.
  • There is a pay telephone at the Administration building.
  • Cell phone coverage is spotty; better in clear areas.
  • For anyone entering the park without a camping or cabin registration between 9:00am and 4:30pm, there is a $7 vehicle use fee payable at the park entrance. This is not waived for Pilgrimage attendees. If you have a cabin or campsite reservation at the park for the weekend, let the gate attendant know to receive one free entrance pass per reservation. 

Helpful Hints

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Bring a coffee mug.
  • Here is a handy packing list if you are renting a cabin.
  • Bring typical outdoor gear. Sturdy footwear, rain gear, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, your camera and a water bottle. 
  • Bring a coffee mug.  We will have coffee available in the registration building on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
  • Bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs.  Of course you can sit on the grass... but if the weather is wet, you might be more comfortable on a blanket or chair.
  • Make plans for pets.  No pets are permitted on the field trips or at the programs.
  • Be tick smart. Click here for some tips from the NYS Department of Health.
  • Emergencies. Call the Park Police at 716-354-9111

Where is my Program?

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Tent Programs:  The evening "Big Tent Programs" are in the big tent behind the registration building at "Camp Allegany" in the Allegany State Park Red House area. Bring a camp chair if you have one!
Early Morning and Evening Bird Walks:  Check the program schedule and guidebook for the location. 
Bird Banding:  On the porch of the education building in Camp Allegany. 
Walks/Workshops / Programs:  Most other programs start in the field between the registration building and the big tent. Some may start at other locations in the park. Be sure to check where your program begins. It can be confusing, especially if this is your first time at the Pilgrimage, so don't be afraid to ask! You will find signs with the names of the walks and programs that are being offered at that time slot.  If your program starts in the big field by the tent, your program leader will be standing near the sign. Once everyone is gathered, there will be an announcement from the program coordinator.
Click here to download the map of Camp Allegany below

Files to Download

Previous Years Flora and Fauna Checklists

History of the Pilgrimage