Hiking Hemlock Lake

Find peace and quiet so close to Rochester

Woman Hiker with backpackHiking is good on Hemlock Lake all year long.

"The sun has caught the morning mist, tugging it from the shimmering surface of the lake in ghostly plumes of pastel pink and battleship gray." 

~Mark W. Holdren, from Thoreau and Me in the Finger Lakes

One of the most amazing things about hiking Hemlock Lake is the lack of traffic noise.

You'll literally feel like it's just you and the forest while you're exploring here.

While hiking is good on Hemlock Lake at any time of the year, autumn has some amazing photo ops because our northeast hardwoods show off their brilliant fall colors. Hemlock Lake is known for it's hemlocks, maples, oaks, and shagbark hickories - the latter 3 which provide an magnificent autumn display.

On this undeveloped lake within the Finger Lakes Region of New York, you'll find ample hiking trails for enjoying the lake views, wildlife, and peace and quiet. 

What you'll find on this page:

I know you'll want to spend some time hiking on the unique and wild terrains of Hemlock Lake while you visit the Finger Lakes Region. 

Read on about:

  • Bald eagles on Hemlock Lake
  • The best hikes on Hemlock Lake
  • Hemlock Lake hikes with waterfalls
  • And more...

Chances are really rather excellent you'll find one or more hikes to add to your itinerary!

Keep your eyes open for bald eagles

Bald eagle flyingHemlock Lake is a great place to view bald eagles.

While you're hiking Hemlock Lake, watch for bald eagles. Chances are in your favor for seeing one (or more) as you walk because multiple pairs nest in the area.

If you've never seen a bald eagle flying free in the wild, you're in for a heart-lifting experience.

Tip: Keep your eyes on the trees along the shoreline. They like to sit in large hardwoods right at the edge of the lake, eyeing the water for their next meal (fish, of course). 

If the bald eagles feel you're too close, they'll probably take off. In my experience, this often happens before I see them. 

If you do spot an eagle in a tree, be respectful and give it distance. And if you find a nest - leave it alone! Birds are sensitive and easily get stressed from human contact. Use the zoom function on your camera to enjoy and admire from a distance.

Where can I hike on Hemlock Lake?

I'm glad you asked, because Hemlock Lake has numerous hiking treasures you'll want to explore and experience fully.

Hemlock-Canadice State Forest 

You can access 14 miles of maintained trails within the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest for hiking and birding. It's also a good place to try meditative walking with Henry David Thoreau like Mark W. Holdren did in his book Thoreau and Me in the Finger Lakes. 

Check out the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYS DEC) website for the best access directions. It also provides directions to the north and south boat access spots, which offer beach-side walking along the water.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Fishing
  • Viewing wildlife
  • Hunting
  • Trapping
  • Boating
  • Snowmobiling

Getting there

Features

  • State forest: 6,849 acres
  • 14 miles of trails
  • Hike from Hemlock to Canadice Lake
  • Kayak and canoe launch sites
  • No swimming or wading
  • Strict boating rules
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Hemlock Lake Park

Hemlock Lake Park is located at the northern tip of Hemlock Lake. It has hiking trails you can enjoy, along with picnic areas, and a gazebo. 

It's a great place to spend the day in a quiet location and enjoy the serenity of Hemlock Lake.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

  • 📍7412 Rix Hill Rd, Hemlock, NY 14466
  • 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

  • Facilities
  • Gazebo
  • No swimming or wading
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry
Hemlock Lake shoreHiking Hemlock Lake is like getting away from it all.

Johnson Hill Trail/County Line Falls

On this trail, which is part of the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, you'll find some slightly challenging hills, maybe some mud, but also waterfalls.

County Line Falls is actually two waterfalls, with upper and lower falls. The hike to the upper falls is of medium difficulty, while the hike to the lower falls is classified as challenging. 

There’s a loop trail that’s 1.5 miles, or you can hike directly to the waterfall and back. You’ll encounter the upper falls first, with a 50-foot cascade. Then, if you decide to hike on, you’ll descend a steep bank to the lower. 25-foot cascade. 

To access County Line Falls, enter at the green and white “Hemlock-Canadice Watershed” hiker sign on Johnson Hill Rd.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

Features

  • Trail: 1.5 miles
  • Waterfalls
  • Out-and-back trail
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Reynolds Gully

Also known as Reynolds Gull, Reynolds Gully is a challenging hike, most of which is creek-wading. Take care, as the gully is composed of steep gullies with wet, slippery rocks. 

The reward for your effort though is a set of waterfalls, one with a 15-foot cascade, and another with a 20-foot cascade.

There are actually two more waterfalls if you were to continue hiking, however they are on heavily-marked private property. Please respect landowners’ rights, and remember that curiosity killed the cat. Don’t be a dead cat. 

Reynolds Gully can be accessed from the south end of Hemlock Lake on Route 15A, at the dirt parking area across from the “Public Water Supply” sign.  

Highlights

  • Hiking

Getting there

Features

  • Trail: Less than 1 mile
  • Waterfalls
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Rob's Trail Preserve

Rob's Trail Preserve is a trail that was added by the Nature Conservancy in 2016. This trail will let you hike from one lake to the other as it connects Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

Like Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake also supplies Rochester drinking water and is a part of the protected state forest preserve. 

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

  • 📍6038-6152 Bald Hill Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
  • 📞 (212) 997-1880
  • 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

  • Trail: 7.5 miles
  • Shoreline and forest hiking
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Create your own Finger Lakes adventure

Hemlock Lake has too many amazing hikes to miss!

Which hiking option will you add to your next Finger Lakes adventure itinerary? 

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