Rome Sand Plains

Rome Sand Plains is a protected natural area in New York that combines sand dunes, peat bogs, pine forests, and wetland environments. The landscape shifts between open dunes and densely forested sections as you walk through different zones.

This landscape took shape at the end of the last ice age when glacial deposits from a larger ancestral lake left sand and sediment across the region. The resulting terrain created the sandy environment that exists here today.

The Department of Environmental Conservation collaborates with multiple organizations including The Nature Conservancy and Izaak Walton League to manage the conservation efforts.

Several marked trails wind through the different environments, allowing you to explore on foot at your own pace. Staying on established paths protects the delicate habitats from damage while offering safe and easy navigation.

The area hosts carnivorous plants like purple pitcher plants and sundew that have adapted to sandy, nutrient-poor soil. These unusual species thrive in conditions where few other plants can survive.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 43.23500,-75.57000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06