Tucked away in the forest of Chautauqua County is a little-known gem that is one of the most enchanting spots in the region: Panama Rocks Scenic Park.
With massive towering rock formations, narrow passageways that weave between moss-covered boulders, and roots that twist their way across the landscape, Panama Rocks feels like something from a fairy tale.
The park is home to an impressive collection of ancient rock formations that you can explore along a relatively short trail. But the real fun comes from venturing off the main path and making your way through the crevices, passageways, and formations along the route.
If you’re planning a trip to Chautauqua County, Panama Rocks is easily one of the most unique outdoor attractions to add to your itinerary.
Where Is Panama Rocks?
Panama Rocks Scenic Park is located in Panama, New York, a small village in southwestern Chautauqua County.
The privately owned and operated park is one of the most unique attractions in this part of the county.
Panama Rocks is approximately 20 minutes from Jamestown, New York, the largest city in Chautauqua County. It is also about 14 minutes from Chautauqua Institution, making it easy to incorporate into a larger Chautauqua County itinerary.
Parking is available on site. From the parking area, the trail is just a short walk from the ticket booth.
How Much Does Panama Rocks Cost?
Because Panama Rocks Scenic Park is privately owned, there is an admission fee that helps maintain the park.
General admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children, which I found reasonable given the uniqueness of the experience and the amount of time you can spend exploring. Tickets are available on-site at the ticket booth.
Season passes are also available if you live within driving distance and plan to visit multiple times. These can be purchased in advance through the Panama Rocks website.
If you opt to stay at Panama Rocks, park admission is included with your stay. Both camping and glamping accommodations are available on-site.
Panama Rocks Hours + Season
Panama Rocks Scenic Park is open seasonally from spring through fall. For the 2026 season, the park is scheduled to be open from the first weekend of May through October 25th, 2026.
Regular Operating Hours
- Daily: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m)
What It’s Like to Visit Panama Rocks
Visiting Panama Rocks is such an incredible experience! It’s hard to believe that places like this exist so close to home. That said, I’ve actually visited a similar park near Ellicottville, NY: Little Rock City State Forest.
While these parks are comparable, it’s like comparing one waterfall or one skyscraper to another. Yes, there are similarities. But Panama Rocks is a distinctly unique experience, with an enchanting atmosphere that sets it apart.
Let’s get into the experience at Panama Rocks.
After paying your admission fee, you’ll need to sign a liability waiver before entering the park. This may seem a bit daunting at first, but Panama Rocks allows visitors much more freedom to explore than you might expect from a typical hiking attraction.
Here’s the thing, though: your hike at Panama Rocks can be as easy or as difficult as you make it.
The main trail is an easy 1-mile loop (though do watch out for roots along the way). However, guests are encouraged to go off trail.
I ended up going off trail at nearly every point of interest along the loop to get a closer look at some of Panama Rocks’ most unique formations.
My hiking experience ended up being moderately difficult. I climbed some of the easier rocks and explored crevices along the trail, which made my visit so much more fun and fulfilling.
If you have more climbing experience, you can take your exploration even further.
Hiking the Panama Rocks Trail
The main hiking trail at Panama Rocks is fairly straightforward. The easy, 1-mile loop trail takes you around the park and offers several different perspectives of the massive rock formations.
The trail starts in the forest, where you can see the moss-covered rock formations below. With dense trees and views of towering rocks, this is a beautiful introduction to Panama Rocks.
The trail continues down to ground level, where you can look up at the massive rock formations from below. Walking amongst these rocks, which are estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old, is such a rewarding experience.
As you continue your hike, you’ll climb back to the upper part of the park. Yet, this section of the trail feels vastly different from the beginning of the hike.
During the last portion of the trail, you’ll find yourself walking on top of the massive rock formations. Daring visitors can even walk from one rock to the next, making this one of the most fascinating areas of Panama Rocks.
If you stick to the main loop, the Panama Rocks Trail is a relatively easy hike that still offers incredible views of the formations.
Exploring Off-Trail at Panama Rocks Scenic Park
Visitors to Panama Rocks are actually encouraged to venture off-trail. While you can see plenty from the main loop, exploring beyond the trail is one of the best ways to experience the park. This is where you can get closer to the towering rock formations, wander through narrow passageways, and even explore deep crevices.
The park map makes it really easy to explore, with clear markings indicating various points of interest.
These points of interest feature some of the most impressive formations you’ll see at Panama Rocks, and many are just a quick detour from the main trail.
Trust me, they’re easy to find and don’t require intense climbing. However, you’ll want to be comfortable navigating uneven terrain and doing a bit of scrambling to explore some areas.
I loved seeing these massive formations up close and exploring crevices filled with moss and colorful wild mushrooms. Climbing around the rocks made the experience so much more fun, and venturing off trail led me to some of the most jaw-dropping spots in the park.
How Long Do You Need at Panama Rocks?
I would allow two hours to explore Panama Rocks. I had a little over an hour to explore and, quite frankly, I felt a bit rushed. So, two hours would have been perfect!
A 1-mile hike doesn’t typically require that much time. However, there is so much to see at Panama Rocks Scenic Park beyond the main trail.
Between exploring off-trail, climbing around the towering rocks, and taking photos of the ethereal scenery, you’ll want to allow extra time to experience everything without rushing through the park.
Things to Do Near Panama Rocks
If you’re looking at the map, you might be thinking that Panama Rocks is kinda in the middle of nowhere. And while yes, it is tucked away in a pretty rural part of Chautauqua County, Panama isn’t far from several other attractions.
Here are some things to do near Panama Rocks:
- Peek’n Peak Resort: Add even more outdoor adventure to your day at this year-round resort in Clymer, New York.
- Southern Tier Brewing Company: Stop for craft beer and a bite to eat at one of Chautauqua County’s best-known breweries.
- Jamestown: Head into the county’s largest city to visit attractions like the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
- Chautauqua Institution: Explore the beautiful grounds of this historic lakeside community and cultural center.
- Bemus Point: Spend some time along Chautauqua Lake, browse the small downtown, or grab dinner overlooking the water.
Where to Stay Near Panama Rocks
If you’re planning a visit to this region and looking for a place to stay near Panama Rocks, I have you covered! There are several options depending on the type of Chautauqua County getaway you’re planning.
- Glamping at the Rocks: Stay right on the Panama Rocks property for the most convenient option. This is especially fun if you want to make the outdoor adventure part of your entire getaway. Check rates and availability on the hotel website
- Peek’n Peak Resort: A great option if you want a resort experience and plan to spend time enjoying the year-round activities at Peek’n Peak. Check rates and availability on Booking.com
- DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown: If you’d rather stay in Jamestown, the DoubleTree is a comfortable and centrally located option for exploring Panama Rocks along with other Chautauqua County attractions. Check rates and availability on Booking.com
Is Panama Rocks Scenic Park Worth Visiting?: Wrap-up
Panama Rocks Scenic Park is one of the most ethereal spots I’ve visited in New York State. With moss-covered boulders and towering rock formations, this feels like somewhere a fairy might live. It is truly something special.
While I have visited similar rock cities in the region, each one offers a completely different experience. Panama Rocks stands out for its towering formations, deep crevices, and the freedom to explore beyond the main trail.
So, is Panama Rocks worth visiting? Absolutely! Whether you stick to the easy 1-mile loop or venture off trail to explore the formations up close, Panama Rocks is one of the most unique outdoor experiences in Chautauqua County.
If you’re planning a trip to Chautauqua County, I highly recommend setting aside a couple of hours to explore this enchanting corner of Western New York.
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For more New York travel, check out my New York section!