Hiking Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen State Park has a special spot in my heart because its virtually my back yard. I’ve hiked it every year - multiple times a year. There’s always something different to discover and the beauty of the waterfalls never gets old. 

In the last 10 years or so, Watkins Glen State Park has become a destination for national and international travel. Come see the 19 waterfalls that cascade down 200-foot gorges. You won’t want to miss Rainbow Falls, which catches the rainbows in its mist.

Set against mossy backgrounds on the Finger Lakes Region’s unique shale walls, you can hike the Gorge Trail to see the waterfalls, and then take the Indian Trail, which winds along the rim of the gorge. Or vice versa if you prefer to hike down the Gorge Trail.

Guess what? You get to decide! But make sure you’ve got your camera handy because you won’t want to miss the photo ops this park offers!

Highlights

• Hiking
• Camping
• Viewing wildlife 
• Swimming

Getting there

Lower entrance:

• 📍971 N Franklin St, Watkins  Glen, NY 14891
• 📞 (607) 535-4511
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Middle entrance: 

• 📍3600 Walnut Rd, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 778 acres
• 400-foot descent from top to bottom of park
• 19 Waterfalls
• Picnic areas
• Facilities
• Swimming pool with lifeguards
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• No dogs allowed on Gorge Trail
• Entry fee

If you’re up for a hiking challenge, Beaver Dams State Forest might be for you. Great for hunters and trappers, the majority of this state forest is hard to access and remote.

You can also go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Beaver Dams State Forest.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Viewing wildlife
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍Beaver Dams, NY 14812
• 📞 607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 534 acres
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

With six miles of compact stone trail, the Catherine Valley Trail will take you from Watkins Glen to Horseheads. Winding through wetland, forest, and along Route 14 with a metal cross-over bridge in Millport, you can see turtles, deer, and plenty of birds, including osprey and waterfowl.

Walk, run, bike, snowshoe, or cross country ski, you’ll follow old towpaths and abandoned railroad routes.

There are lots of spots to access the trail, and places to park as well. 

Highlights

• Hiking
• Biking
• Running
• Wildlife viewing
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Fishing

Getting there

Montour Falls Access: 

• 📍265 N Catherine St, Montour Falls, NY 14865
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Millport Bridge Access: 

• 📍3 Burch Hill Rd, Millport, NY 14864 (in Post Office parking lot
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

For general questions, contact Watkins Glen State Park: (607) 535-4511

Features

• 6 miles of trails
• Hard stone trails
• Metal cross-over bridge
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Newfield, NY, contains part of the Finger Lakes Trail and you can get some amazing panoramas of the Appalachian Mountains from here. 

Actually considered to be part of the Appalachian Mountains, Connecticut Hill WMA has a strong history tied to the Revolutionary War.

The cemetery within the WMA is also rumored to be haunted, so if you are into paranormal activity, you might want to stop here.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing
• Viewing Wildlife

Getting there

• 📍Newfield, NY 14867
• 📞 (607) 753-3095
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Wildlife management area: 11,237 acres
• Portion of Finger Lakes Trail
  
• NY's largest wildlife management area
• Possibly haunted
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

At approximately 16,212 acres, the Finger Lakes National Forest is the only national forest in New York State. It's a multi-use area through and through, and you can hike, bike, horseback ride, camp, and see some incredible wildlife here. 

You might also see some free-ranging cattle, because the national forest holds contracts with local ranchers to graze their livestock in the fields of the forest. Cornell University staff also frequently conduct research in the national forest on the plant and animal life residing here. 

There are 30 miles of maintained trails in the Finger Lakes National Forest for you to navigate by foot or horseback. If you are into backpacking, this is a great place to do so. As you wind your way through the forest, camp at an established campsite, or rough it where you tire.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Biking
• Viewing Wildlife
• Camping
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Burdett, NY 14818
• 📞 (607) 546-4470 (Hector Ranger Station)
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• National forest area: 16,212 acres
• Only National Forest in NY
• Hector Ranger Station nearby
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

The Goundry Hill State Forest is a 2,112-acre parcel that provides multi-use areas across its tract. You can walk on the portion of the Finger Lakes Trail that runs through this state forest, which is maintained by volunteers. Additionally, part of the Six Nations Trail AND the North Country National Scenic Trail runs through Goundry Hill State Forest. 

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing wildlife
• Snowmobiling
• Horseback riding
• Hunting
• Trapping

Getting there

• 📍Beaver Dams, NY 14812
• 📞 607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 2,112 acres
• Portion of Finger Lakes Trail
• Portion of Six Nations Trail
• Portion of North Country Scenic Trail
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Looking for a hike that ends in a waterfall you can bathe in? In Havana Glen Park, you’ll find a serene hike carved into the natural limestone gorge. At the fall, you can wade in the pool and stand under the cascade. 

The park, operated by the town of Montour, south of Seneca Lake, also offers picnic areas, a playground, pavilions, camping, and handicap accessibility by the stream. Devastated by flooding a few years ago but back and better than ever now, you’ll find this little rustic park pleasant for an afternoon hike.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍135 Havana Glen Rd, Montour Falls, NY 14865
• 📞 (607) 535-9476
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park
• 41-foot waterfall
• Picnic areas
• Pavilion
• Playground
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Entry fee

A small park in Corning, NY, Hornby Park is divided by five trails ranging from less than a quarter of a mile long to a little over a mile long. The outer loop trail is the longest, but you can add steps to your day by exploring all the trails.

Complete with picnic areas and a playground, Hornby Park is a nice, quiet get-away.

Highlights

• Hiking

Getting there

• 📍 Kerrick Hollow Rd, Corning, NY 14830
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park
• 5 hiking trails
• Picnic areas
• Playgrounds
• Facilities
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

The western most of the mass of state forests southwest Seneca Lake, near the town of Painted Post, Meads Creek State Forest contains a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail that spurs off the main trail, called The Crystal Hills Branch Trail. The hiking trail is maintained by volunteers with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, the folks that developed the Finger Lakes Trail.

There’s also a portion of the Great Eastern Trail that runs through Meads Creek. Directions on Google will probably send you to this trailhead. Its a nice, family-friendly hike, and also a great place to go fishing.

This state forest is multi-use, so hunting is permitted - so please be safe and smart when you’re out hunting in the fall!

Highlights

• Viewing Wildlife
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Hiking
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍 Trailhead: 5367 Meads Creek Rd, Painted Post, NY 14870
• 📞  607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 1,452 acres
• Crystal Hills Branch Trail portion of Finger Lakes Trail
• Portion of Great Eastern Trail
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

If you are looking to back-country hike, give Newfield State Forest a try. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) doesn’t maintain trails within this forest, but you are allowed to hike where you wish unless otherwise posted. 

At almost 1,500 acres, the Newfield State Forest was purchased by the federal government in 1956. Previously, it had been cleared for farmland. After the purchase, it was reforested to provide timber and habitat for wildlife. It remains a multi-use area, and you can camp, hunt, trap, hike, snowshoe, or choose from a variety of other activities here.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Camping
• Viewing Wildlife
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Newfield, NY 14867
• 📞  607-753-3095
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

•  State forest area: 1,552 acres
• Connected to Connecticut Hill WMA
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Located on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park has 3 hiking trails for you to choose from. And from there, if you wish, you can choose to take the cell phone guided tour. In one tour, you can learn about how Seneca Lake was formed, in another you learn about the natural history of the Finger Lakes Region, and in the last, you can learn about the military history of Sampson State Park.

In addition to hiking trails, this park has camping, swimming, facilities, playgrounds, a marina, and a welcome center. It's also a very short drive away from the Seneca Army Depot that houses the unique white deer of the Finger Lakes. 

Highlights

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Boating
• Biking
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍 6040-6144 NY-96A, Romulus, NY 14541
• 📞 (315) 585-6392
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 2,070 acres
• 3 hiking trails
• Multiple boat ramps
• Camping sites
• Park facilities
• Swimming area with lifeguard
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Hiking the South Bradford State Forest, you’ll find yourself on volunteer-maintained trails. These trails are part of three trail systems: the Finger Lakes Trail, the Great Eastern Trail, and the North Country National Scenic Trail systems. 

Located in the town of Bradford amidst the cluster of state forests between Seneca and Keuka Lakes, you’ll see drilling activity on these multi-use lands. If you’re interested in seeing some wellheads and pipelines, come to the South Bradford State Forest.

You won’t only see drilling going on though, you’ll probably also see some white-tailed deer, forest songbirds, and maybe some ravens - which don’t populate the Finger Lakes Region except in the very southern parts.

Highlights

• Hunting
• Trapping
• Viewing wildlife
• Hiking
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍Savona, NY 14879
• 📞 607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 1,819 acres
• Crystal Hills Branch Hiking Trail portion of Finger Lakes Trail
• Significant number of gas wellheads and pipelines
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

A true multi-use state forest, Sugar Hill has volunteer-maintained trails within the Finger Lakes Trail system, the Six Nations Trail, and the North Country National Scenic Trail. In addition to using the trails, you can also visit the recreation area and hike the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. 

Not for those who are a little squeamish of heights, the 68-foot-tall fire tower was built in 1941 and used by forest rangers to watch for forest fires until the 1980’s. You can climb up it to just below the cabin. It's both a thrill for all ages and absolutely gorgeous!

You can climb the fire tower at Sugar Hill State Forest for a panorama of the Finger Lakes hills.

Getting there

• 📍3361 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
• 📞 (607) 776-2165
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 9,085 acres
• West of southern tip of Seneca Lake
• Climbable fire tower
• Potion of Finger Lakes Trail
• Portion of Six Nations Trail
• Portion of North Country Scenic Trail
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

The 937-acre Texas Hollow State Forest has limited development for human use, but you can hike a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail that runs through it. A portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail also runs through it.

With wetlands, forest, and the trails, Texas Hollow State Forest is great for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, as well as hunting, trapping, camping, fishing, and paddling. 

Keep your eyes open for amphibians like northern leopard frogs and red-spotted newts. Beaver can also be found in the waterways and if you’re observant, you can spot trees they’ve chewed.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing Wildlife
• Camping
• Paddling
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Trapping

Getting there

• 📍Texas Hollow Rd, Odessa, NY 14869
• 📞  607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 937 acres
• Portion of Finger Lakes Trail 
• Portion of North Country National Scenic Trail
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Amidst the hills dotted with state forests between Seneca and Keuka Lakes, the West Hill State Forest, you’ll be walking on a portion of the Crystal Hills Branch Trail of the Finger Lakes Trail. You can also choose to take the portion of the Great Eastern Trail that runs through West Hill State Forest as well. 

This 887-acre tract of forest is also used by hunters, trappers, campers, and for timber.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Viewing Wildlife
• Camping

Getting there

• 📍West Hill Rd, Painted Post, NY 14870
• 📞 607-622-8282
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest area: 887 acres
• Crystal Hills Branch Hiking Trail portion of Finger Lakes Trail
• Portion of Great Eastern Trail
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry