“Farther Away” State Parks Outside of Tompkins County
General State Park Information:
While we have an abundance of State Parks and their respective trails here in Tompkins County, the group still makes a number of longer drives every year to State Parks in neighboring counties to hike the trails in those parks.
As with all State Parks, there are entrance fees to consider based on the time of year. Other than hiking the Parks in seasons where the entrance fees are not collected, one solution would be to invest in an annual Empire Passport, which will get you into any State Park for the entire year. See for more information:
Empire Pass – NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
See links at that page for additional cost savings such as fee waivers / discounts for senior citizens and military personnel.
Regarding other issues such as seasonal closure of trails at a specific park, hikers should contact the park office at the phone numbers provided in the links below for that information.
Hike 14-1: Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen – Three Hikes
General information here:
Watkins Glen State Park (ny.gov)
Trail map here:
Watkins Glen State Park Trail Map (ny.gov)
Google map pin, lower park entrance:
Watkins Glen State Park – Google Maps
Hike 14-1A – Hike starting from the lower park entrance.
Generally we visit Watkins Glen State Park in the fall on a Wednesday before the Gorge Trail closes for the season. We typically do an interesting loop of the Gorge and Rim Trails, with a side trip to the near-by FLT trailhead if we need to hike for additional time.
The parking lots for the park at the lower entrance fill up quickly, and area streetside parking is limited. When we are hiking from the lower park, hikers are encouraged to arrive early because of the limited available parking.
Hike 14-1B – Hike starting from the upper park.
Occasionally hike leaders will lead a different hike in the area of the Watkins Glen State Park such as an FLT-specific hike route.
There is a Google map pin for that hikes usual starting point:
https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.3636075,-76.9112244&hl=en-US&gl=us&entry=gps&lucs=s2se&shorturl=1
This hike enters the park from near Whites Hollow Rd, the FLT following the ridge above Glen Creek. Hikers have the option of crossing over to the Gorge Trail at the Mile Point Bridge or continuing to the lower park on the FLT
It should be noted that Watkins Glen State Park does NOT allow dogs on the Gorge Trail; if you usually hike with your canine companion, they will have to stay home for the hikes in this state park.
A short Youtube video on Watkins Glen State Park:
(115) A Walk Through Watkins Glen trailer – YouTube
Hike 14-1C – FLT Immediately West of Watkins Glen State Park
As long as I have been with the group, we’ve never hiked the FLT immediately west of Watkins Gen State Park Hike # 14-1B) between Whites Hollow Rd and Sugar Hill State Forest.
In the fall of 2024 hike leader Mark S led the group on an out-and-back hike of the FLT section beyond Whites Hollow Rd. After seeing this section of the trail, I feel that it warrants its own entry on our hikes list.
There are two options for parking for this hike: either on Punch Bowl Rd at Whites Hollow Rd: 42°21’49.0″N 76°54’40.4″W – Google Maps
or the junction of Whites Hollow and Hidden Vallet Roads: 42°21’49.4″N 76°54’54.8″W – Google Maps
The FLT headed westerly is only a short walk from either parking area. The hike leader will specify in their hike announcement which parking area they prefer.
This hike features moderate elevation changes, some nice stream crossings and stone stairs of the sort that we often see in area state parks. The FLT takes hikers past a collection of 4H cabins, a dam with an associated small pond that’s only a short walk from the FLT, and nice forest views as the footpath takes hikers along a ridgeline with a sharp hillside to the lake below.
There is a permanent closure to the FLT near the turn-around time for our regular hike locations, so hike leaders will have to factor the new footpath into their hike planning.
This section of the FLT is on map sheet M14. Map sheets may be purchased in paper or electronic formats from the FLTC website: Purchase Individual Maps – Fingerlakes Trail Conference. Sale of the map sheets helps to offset the on-going expenses related to maintaining the FLT
Hike 14- 2: Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia
General information here:
Fillmore Glen State Park (ny.gov)
Trail map here:
FillmoreGlenTrailMap.pdf (ny.gov)
Google map pin:
Fillmore Glen State Park Office – Google Maps
Youtube:
(65) Fillmore Glen State Park | Gorge hiking in the Finger Lakes, NY – YouTube
Fillmore Glen has some interesting trails that are the equal of anything we have locally here in Tompkins County.
The Gorge Trail often closes before the Rim Trail, so calling ahead to check on trail conditions when visiting Fillmore Glen in the fall is suggested.
We generally visit Fillmore Glen at least once in the summer and sometimes in the fall. For those who might want to avoid the entrance fees, parking in the nearby elementary school parking lot and walking into the park via the creek is an option that local residents have previously suggested to members of our group.
Hike 14- 3: Long Point State Park, Aurora
General Information here:
Long Point State Park – Finger Lakes (ny.gov)
Trail map here:
Long Point State Park Trail Map (ny.gov)
Google map pin:
Long Point State Park – Finger Lakes – Google Maps
Long Point State Park trails are a mix of wooded paths that skirt some nice ravine areas and loop through open fields. I have found on previous hikes at this park that the trails have a minimal amount of signage and no blazes, so taking a map is extremely helpful. The open field trails can be muddy and the park has recently been brush hogging the fields trails, so it’s potentially easier to lose your way when traversing the open areas if you aren’t familiar with them or don’t have a map.
Hike 14- 4: Green Lakes State Park Onondaga County
General Information here:
Green Lakes State Park (ny.gov)
Trail map here:
Green Lakes State Park Trail Map (ny.gov)
Google map pin:
Green Lakes State Park – Google Maps
Youtube:
(65) Green Lakes State Park – New York – Cinematic Video – YouTube
While this park is further away than some of the other parks on this list, there are some unique features to the lakes here that make the drive to this park to hike its trails worthwhile. The trails at Green Lakes State Park vary in length and there are any number of trail combinations of both wooded and open field trail sections that can be linked together to make a hike of your desired duration and difficulty level.
Hike 14- 5: Clark Reservation State Park Onondaga County
General information here:
Clark Reservation State Park (ny.gov)
Trail map here:
ClarkReservationTrailMap.pdf (ny.gov)
Google map pin:
Clark Reservation State Park – Google Maps
Youtube:
(65) Clark Reservation Sept. 21, 2023 – YouTube
Many thanks to long-time Ithaca Hiker Steve S for introducing us to this state park in the fall of 2023!
Last edit: 10/2023 JFR