Location: East of Rochester
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Abraham Lincoln Park – Blue Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Abraham Lincoln Park (formerly Bay Park East) is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The Blue Trail has a small loop, a branch to Smith Road, and a longer loop. I parked in one of the parking spaces across from the Smith Road Community Residence building and hiked the small loop,… Read more
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Abraham Lincoln Park – Play Area
Location: Penfield, NY Abraham Lincoln Park (formerly Bay Park East) is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This is one of our favorite play areas in the area! There is a traditional playground next to the parking lot, but down the hill is a newly renovated natural log play area. There is a small log… Read more
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Abraham Lincoln Park – White Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Abraham Lincoln Park (formerly Bay Park East) is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The White Trail begins at the main parking lot off of Empire Boulevard behind the Play Area. The trail begins with a downhill section past a small evergreen tree grove. The white trail can make a short… Read more
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Bauman’s Farm Market
Location: Webster, NY This farm market is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. In autumn, there is a tipi, hale bale kids maze, and small haunted house. Official Website: Bauman’s Farm Market; Official Facebook; Official Instagram Read more
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Beechwood State Park
Location: Sodus, NY This beautiful park is located 40 minutes east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. Camp Beechwood used to be a girl scout camp and is now maintained by the town of Sodus. We parked at the gravel parking area on Gates Drive (off of Lake Road) and hiked the… Read more
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Beechwoods Trail
Location: Perinton, NY This small 22.8 acre wooded hiking area is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked in the small parking lot on Squirrels Heath Road (approximate GPS: 43.0957189, -77.4121239) and hiked a 0.5 mile loop at the south end of the park. There were a few small wooden bridges and pretty… Read more
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Bicentennial Trail
Location: Pultneyville/Williamson, NY This lovely 0.8-mile hiking trail is located 35 minutes east of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. We parked in the small parking lot right near the fence to the water treatment facility. There are a couple signs and arrows showing the way to the trail across the road. The… Read more
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Bird Sanctuary Trail
Location: Webster, NY This trail is located at 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. It can be accessed via the Chiyoda Trail from Webster First Responders Park or from Charles E Sexton Memorial Park (aka North Ponds Park). The trail itself is 0.8 miles long, but because it is accessed from other trails, it will… Read more
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Bishop Nature Preserve
Location: Waterloo, NY This Finger Lakes Land Trust nature preserve is located 50 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY near the top of Seneca Lake. There are several short trails at the preserve. The packed stone yellow trail is stroller and bicycle friendly and connects to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail. The blue and red trails are… Read more
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Blue Cut Nature Center
Location: Lyons, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 45 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked at the parking lot near the restrooms and picnic area then walked along the line of evergreen trees and past the field to the next pavilion and picnic area. According to the official website there are several trails… Read more
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Brighton Memorial Library – Children’s Literary Garden
Location: Brighton, NY This super short paved garden trail is located just next to the Brighton Memorial Library. The path starts out with several wooden archways and is lined with literary quotes related to gardens and wonder. There is a bench, a small fairy garden, and a memorial. Around the other side of the library… Read more
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Buckland Park Outer Loop
Location: Brighton, NY This beautiful, grassy, flat path loops around a large field of goldenrod and other wild flowers. It branches off of the Buckland Park Loop near the Veterans Memorial, Historic Buckland House, and Community Garden. I did the smaller loop (about 1 mile) but there was a second loop as well that appears… Read more
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Bullis Park
Location: Macedon, NY This park is 30 minutes east of Rochester, NY. Bullis Park also has a traditional playground, basketball court, tennis court, and two pickleball courts, two pavilions, bathrooms, and grass fields. Official Website: Macedon Recreation Department; Times of Wayne County Read more
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Burroughs Audubon Nature Club Sanctuary
Location: Victor, NY This beautiful trail network is located 20 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. This sanctuary is private property belonging to the Burroughs Audubon Nature Club (BANC). Members may use the trails without a fee. Non-members may also use the trails but should donate to contribute to trail maintenance. The trails pass through woodlands… Read more
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Butterfly Nature Trail at Macedon Canal Park
Location: Macedon, NY This unique trail located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester is considered a “Forever Wild for Everyone Trail”. Along this accessible, stone dust trail there are numerous things to look at including informational signs about birds and butterflies, gardens, fairy houses, benches, painted rocks, and some old relics and info about the history… Read more
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Casey Park
Location: Ontario, NY 🚨 note: the storywalk at Casey Park has been removed due to vandalism. 🙁 They will reconsider it for the spring and I’ll update this page if I hear an update! 🚨 Casey Park, about 20 minutes east of Rochester, has a lovely trail next to a long, narrow lake. The trail… Read more
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Center Park West
Location: Perinton, NY This park is located 25 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This park is located behind the Fairport Rec Center and is home of the amphitheater where performances occur. There is a brand new playground as of summer 2025 that is musical themed and has inclusive features. When we visited in August 2025,… Read more
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Channing H. Philbrick Park
Location: Penfield, NY This park is located 12 minutes east of Rochester, NY. Right by the parking lot is a bridge with a stunning view over the Irondequoit Creek. We hiked east along the trail for about a half mile until we reached the boardwalks and bridges. The trail was pretty flat but had some drop… Read more
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Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park (North Ponds Park)
Location: Webster, NY This park is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are two beautiful ponds with a 1-mile paved path around them. There are benches, picnic tables, fitness stations, restrooms near the southern parking area, and a disc golf course. This trail connects to the Hojack Trail and the Bird Sanctuary Trail.… Read more
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Chimney Bluffs State Park – Bluff Trail
Location: Huron, NY This beautiful state park is located one hour east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. The 1.3 mile Bluff Trail is the most iconic trail in the park with incredible views over the bluffs and lake. There are a few ways to reach this trail. You can park at… Read more
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Chimney Bluffs State Park – Meadow Trail
Location: Huron, NY This beautiful state park is located one hour east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Meadow Trail is a 0.2 mile out and back path from the main parking lot to the shore (0.4 miles round trip). The trail is flat, paved, and stroller friendly. There is a… Read more
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Clark Reservation State Park – Cliff Trail
Location: Jamesville, NY This state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY near Syracuse. This park has restrooms, an interpretive center, gardens, a nature theme playground, and nature trails. The Cliff Trail is a 0.62 mile trail that starts near the main parking area by the interpretive center. It can be made into… Read more
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Clark Reservation State Park – Interpretive Center
ocation: Jamesville, NY This state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY near Syracuse. This park has restrooms, gardens, a nature theme playground, nature trails, and an interpretive center. The interpretive center is small but has a lot of great information, displays, and interactive activities for adults and kids. Map: Trail Map Official… Read more
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Clark Reservation State Park – Nature Play Area
Location: Jamesville, NY This state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY near Syracuse. This park has restrooms, an interpretive center, gardens, nature trails, and a nature themed play area. The play area has a traditional playground structure as well as natural elements and informational signs for kids. Map: Trail Map Official Website:… Read more
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Corbett’s Glen Nature Park
Location: Brighton, NY This beautiful nature park is 7 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are two entrances to the park: the parking lot on Penfield Road provides access to Corbett’s Glen North and the street parking on Glen Road provides access through the tunnel to Corbett’s Glen South. (*Park patrons must park at the… Read more
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Cornwall Preserve – Cass Meadow Trail
Location: Williamson, NY This Genesee Land Trust nature preserve is located 30 minutes east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Lake Ontario. We parked at the trailhead on Lake Road and walked about 0.4 mile on the Cass Meadow Trail to the Lake Bluff Trail and enjoyed beautiful views of the lake and informational… Read more
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Dave Jewett’s Tree Stand at Pittsford Farms Dairy (SEASONAL)
Location: Pittsford, NY During the holiday season, Dave Jewett’s Tree Stand can be found in front of Pittsford Farms Dairy, located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. You can wander through the cut trees, sit by a fire, shop hand carved gifts, and look at the baby cows. You can also grab a hot cocoa,… Read more
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Delphi Falls Park – Lower Falls
Location: Cazenovia, NY This waterfall park is located south of Syracuse, two hours from Rochester. We walked along the brand new ADA accessible stone dust trail to the beautiful overlook of the 62-foot tall lower falls. There is parking just inside the gate and a trail that leads over a pedestrian bridge. There are also… Read more
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Dolomite Trail
Location: Walworth, NY This trail is located 25 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This one mile loop trail goes through brush, pine trees, and wooded areas to an observation deck over a marshy area. There is a random bathtub along the trail, a few benches, and some tree identification signs. The trail is dirt and… Read more
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Ellison Park – Coyote Den Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Ellison Park is located less than 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The Coyote Den Trail is a 1.1 mile out and back trail that goes from Penfield Road to Blossom Road. We parked at Penfield Road where there was a picnic table. The trail goes through a beautiful forest with sloped… Read more
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Ellison Park – Indian Landing Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Ellison Park is located less than 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The Indian Landing Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail. The path is mostly flat and is somewhat stroller friendly, though the gravel is bumpy in some places and there can be large mud puddles after a rain. The trail… Read more
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Ellison Park – North Landing Entrance
Location: Penfield, NY Ellison Park is a beautiful park less than 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We like to park at the North Landing Entrance. There are restrooms here and a popular sledding hill. Just behind the restrooms is a paved path. The path goes downhill and curves to the right. The pine tree-lined… Read more
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Ellison Park – Overlook Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Ellison Park is located less than 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The Overlook Trail is a 0.6 mile loop trail that branches off of the Coyote Den Trail, making for a hike that will be longer than 0.6 miles. We parked at Penfield Road where there was a picnic table. The… Read more
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Erie Canal Nature Preserve – Frog Pond Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY This nature preserve branches off of the Erie Canal east of Rochester, NY. The path is stone dust with short boardwalks. The Frog Pond Trail is 0.35 miles from the canal path to the end where it meets up with the Auburn Trail. The trail passes by a forested meadow, wetlands, frog… Read more
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Eva & Harlan Braman Preserve
Location: Webster, NY This Genesee Land Trust nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY! We visited this trail on a gloomy November day, and even in those conditions it was very peaceful and pretty. I imagine in the spring and summer it is full of flowers, pollinators, birds and other wildlife. This… Read more
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Farmington Town Park
Location: Farmington, NY This small park located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY has a short storybook walk around the playground. The walk is only through grass and doesn’t have a designated path. Official Website: Town of Farmington Read more
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Fellows Road Park
Location: Perinton, NY This lovely park is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There is a one-mile stone dust path around the perimeter of the park with fitness stations. It was stroller friendly except for one small section where the path was in need of some repair, but it may be fixed by now!… Read more
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Finger Lakes Welcome Center
Location: Geneva, NY This wonderful welcome center is located 45 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY at the top of Seneca Lake. Inside, there is travel information about the Finger Lakes including maps, brochures, and photos, an artifact wall, and a Taste NY Market offering local food, wine, beer, and cider. The building features lake views,… Read more
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Finn Park Nature Trail
Location: Webster, NY This beautiful nature park is located 15 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY. My hike was overall 1.3 miles long. It started with quarter mile path through a wooded area with a few small bridges and one spot with two benches that leads to a meadow. Then I hiked the ~0.75 loop around… Read more
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Fishers Park
Location: Victor, NY This park is located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. There are five miles of trails in the park that include wooded hillsides, wetland areas, and trails along Irondequoit Creek. There are many small wooden bridges. At the entrance on Main Street there is a picnic area along the creek and porta… Read more
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Four Mile Creek Preserve
Location: Webster, NY This network of wooded trails with beautiful creek views is located 30 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY. Throughout the trail are informational signs about different trees as well as helpful trail map signs. There are wooden bridges, benches, sections of boardwalk, and a nice observation deck not too far along the trail.… Read more
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Geneva Lakefront Trail
Location: Geneva, NY This trail is located at the northern shore of Seneca Lake, 45 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. The 4.4 mile long out and back path is paved and stroller friendly. The trail passes the Finger Lakes Welcome Center (with the I LOVE NY sign), Geneva Lakefront Park, Seneca Lake State Park, Long… Read more
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Gosnell Big Woods Preserve – Big Field Trail
Location: Webster, NY NOTE: Gosnell Big Woods Preserve is open for hunting during the appropriate season. Read all posted signs and follow safety precautions during hunting season. This beautiful nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. This preserve has an old-growth forest, a field, and a… Read more
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Gosnell Big Woods Preserve – Big Woods Trail
Location: Webster, NY NOTE: Gosnell Big Woods Preserve is open for hunting during the appropriate season. Read all posted signs and follow safety precautions during hunting season. This beautiful nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. The Big Woods Trail is a 0.7-mile round trip out… Read more
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Gosnell Big Woods Preserve – Meadow Trail
Location: Webster, NY NOTE: Gosnell Big Woods Preserve is open for hunting during the appropriate season. Read all posted signs and follow safety precautions during hunting season. This beautiful nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. The Meadow Trail is a 1/2 mile (round trip) loop… Read more
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Great Embankment Park
Location: Pittsford, NY This park is located along the Erie Canal 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked in the lot by the bathrooms and walked up the steep, gravel path to play on the really nice playground! We then continued along the stone dust path to the canal and walked along the stone… Read more
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Green Lakes State Park – Green Lake Trail
Location: Fayetteville, NY This beautiful state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY just south of Syracuse. The Green Lake Trail is a 2 mile loop trail that circles Green Lake with beautiful views and some informational signs. The path is stone dust and is stroller friendly. It can be combined with the… Read more
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Green Lakes State Park – Grounds
Location: Fayetteville, NY This beautiful state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY just south of Syracuse. General Park Info: Trail Map: Trail Map AllTrails: Green Lake to Round Lake Trail Official Website: NY State Parks; Go Finger Lakes Other Websites: NY Falls; Uncovering New York; CNY Hiking Read more
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Green Lakes State Park – Old Growth Trail
Location: Fayetteville, NY This beautiful state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY just south of Syracuse. The Old Growth Trail is a 3 mile trail that can be accessed by the main parking area, the campground, or from one of the other trails. I took a branch off of the Round Lake… Read more
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Green Lake State Park – Round Lake Trail
Location: Fayetteville, NY This beautiful state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY just south of Syracuse. The Green Lake Trail is a 1 mile loop trail that circles Round Lake with beautiful views and some benches and informational signs. The path is stone dust and is stroller friendly. It can be reached… Read more
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Harris Whalen Park
Location: Penfield, NY This park is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We started at the playground that had a few older metal structures and a more modern structure with slides and a bridge. We then hiked along the winding network of short trails through the woods. The full loop consisting of the East… Read more
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Hart’s Woods Trail
Location: Perinton, NY This beautiful trail through an old growth forest is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked on the street at the dead end of Greenwood Cliff. The trail also appears to go to Minerva Deland School, but I do not know the rules about parking there. There also appear to… Read more
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Herman Road Forever Wild Forest
Location: Webster, NY This is a beautiful network of trails through a dense forest. It felt really magical on a cool October afternoon. The trails were dirt and narrow, and had some steeper hills toward the back of the park. The trails are shared use with bikers, so be aware. Supposedly there are a half-buried… Read more
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Hickory Bark Trail
Location: Webster, NY This trail is located 15 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY. This short trail is hidden away in a tiny wooded area behind a shopping plaza and the Webster Library! This trail is only 400 feet long and consists entirely of wooden boardwalks. There are benches along the path, birdhouses in the trees, a… Read more
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High Acres Nature Area – Frog Pond Loop
Location: Perinton, NY This nature area is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This area contains public trails on Waste Management property. If you don’t mind the occasional smell of the landfill, this is a lovely place to take an easy nature hike! We did the 0.5 mile loop around the Frog Pond which… Read more
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Hipp Brook Preserve – Wild Iris Path
Location: Penfield, NY This Genesee Land Trust nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This was a really nice wooded path and wetland walk. The path was compacted soil, mulch, and boardwalk. There is no parking lot as this nature area is in a neighborhood setting. We parked on the shoulder of… Read more
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Hojack Trail
Location: Webster, NY The Hojack Trail is a 5-mile long rail trail located in Webster, NY. It connects to several other trails including the Bird Sanctuary Trail, Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park, John Ungar Nature Trail, Michael A. Johnson Nature Preserve, and Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail. Official Website: Friends of Webster Trails Trail Map: Trail… Read more
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Hopkins Farm Sunflower Field
Location: Pittsford, NY This free, roadside sunflower field can be found near Calkins Road and Clover Street (the location changes each year). There is no parking area here – people pull over their cars to take pictures (look out for signs in case this changes) and be very cautious of very fast traffic. There isn’t… Read more
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Horizon Hill Conservation Area
Location: Perinton, NY This beautiful hiking area, which is part of the Crescent Trail, is located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. We parked at the Crescent Trail Horizon Hill Trailhead on Garnsey Road. There is a whole network of trails, including a big loop trail you can find on AllTrails. However, we followed only… Read more
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Huckleberry Swamp (SEASONAL)
Location: North Rose, NY 🚨Note: this trail is NOT always open for hiking! I believe it’s closed every Monday for trail maintenance and also closed in the fall and winter!! Their Facebook page is the best way to get updated information🚨 This is a gorgeous and peaceful wetland trail 45 minutes east of Rochester! There… Read more
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Irene Gossin Nature Preserve
Location: Penfield, NY This beautiful Genesee Land Trust nature preserve is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This is such a lovely spot to walk and hike! There is a small gravel parking lot right in front of the preserve or you can park across the street at Rothfuss Park and walk over. The… Read more
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John L. Brown Memorial Park – Dr. Henry Foster Trail
Location: Clifton Springs, NY This park and trail are located 45 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This is a super short, mostly flat dirt trail. To reach the trail, we parked at the library and walked past the pavilion and playgrounds to cross the cute bridge over Sulphur Creek. (FYI the bridge is steep and… Read more
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John Ungar Nature Trail
Location: Webster, NY This short 0.34 mile loop trail branches off of the Hojack Trail halfway between Drumm Road and Van Alstyne in Webster, NY. It is a narrow, dirt path through a beautiful forest that starts with a set of stairs. There is a short boardwalk section and a wooden bench. There is also… Read more
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Jones-Blunt Park
Location: Shortsville, NY This park is located 30 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. It is a really cute park along the Canandaigua Outlet in Shortsville. There are swinging benches along the river, an overlook platform, a large gazebo, and a small hiking area with two small bridges. We walked across the grass toward the small… Read more
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Kennelly Park
Location: Fairport, NY This park is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The park is on the Erie Canal just next to the Fairport Public Library. There is a gazebo where there are events and concerts as well as an art sculpture. A short paved path leads to some picnic tables and a fenced… Read more
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Kent Park – Hiking Trails
Location: Webster, NY This park is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. Behind the Webster Arboretum at Kent Park is a network of short hiking trails. The paths are grassy and can be very muddy and wet after rain. There is a bench, a boardwalk, a small bridge, a swamp area with a poem,… Read more
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Kent Park – Webster Arboretum
Location: Webster, NY This park and arboretum is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are gazebos, multiple benches, a pond with a fountain, a playground, and a narrow stone dust path. There are a large variety of trees and plants planted around the arboretum. This is a great park to visit in the… Read more
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Kraai Preserve
Location: Arcadia, NY This nature preserve is located 45 minutes east of Rochester, NY. I visited in late April and the spring ephemerals were absolutely beautiful. I started by making a quick left and walked a short way down the path to the field of virginia bluebells. I then returned to the trailhead to do… Read more
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Labrador Hollow Unique Area – Tinker Falls
Location: Tully, NY This trail is located south of Syracuse – just about 2 hour east of Rochester, NY. This nature area is located in the middle of a valley that was dug out by glacial movement around ten thousand years ago. We hiked the accessible part of the trail (0.25 miles each way) to… Read more
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LaSalle’s Landing Park
Location: Penfield, NY This small park is located northeast of Rochester, NY along the Irondequoit Bay. There is fishing access and a small canoe/kayak launch. There is a short sidewalk to an area with picnic tables, bench, and informational sign. There is another short sidewalk that ends with views of Irondequoit Bay. Official Website: Town… Read more
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Legion Eyer Park
Location: East Rochester, NY We enjoyed this peaceful park located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. We first parked at the small parking lot just outside of the park entrance. From here you can hike part of the the Rochester, Syracuse, & Eastern Trolley Trail (RS&E Trail). This was a pretty flat dirt and grass… Read more
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Lock 32 Canal Park
Location: Pittsford, NY This park is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This is a beautiful spot to access the Erie Canalway Trail for a stroll along the canal. There are benches and informational signs near the parking lot. If you walk west along the canal, you will pass by the historic lock 32… Read more
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Lock 33 Canal Park
Location: Henrietta/Brighton, NY This park is located in Henrietta on the border with Brighton, 10 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. There is a small parking area near the lock. Here, you can find informational signs, picnic tables, a porta potty, and the Erie Canalway Trail extending in both directions. The path is stroller friendly, though… Read more
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Lock 62 Canal Park (Railroad Loop Trail)
Location: Pittsford, NY This park features a historic Erie Canal lock and is a stop on the ~5 mile Railroad Loop Trail. You can park behind Wegmans in Pittsford to access the Lock 62 Canal Park. There is a gravel trail to walk and a bench overlooking the old canal lock. You can also walk… Read more
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Lollypop Farm
Location: Fairport, NY There is a lot to do at Lollypop Farm, located 20 minutes southeast of Rochester. You can walk around the farm and look at the animals when they are out. There is a StoryWalk along the fence near the horses. If you continue walking, there is an entrance to nature trails near… Read more
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Lusk Farm Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY This trail is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. I parked at the Mile Post School and walked .12 miles down the sidewalk along Mendon Road to the entrance to Lusk Farm Trail. The path becomes grassy then dirt as it enters a wooded area with some small hills. The trail… Read more
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Lynch Woods Nature Park
Location: Brighton, NY This undeveloped nature park is located 10 minutes south of Rochester, NY. We hiked the grassy and dirt paths that made several loops through the park. There were wooded areas and some wetland areas. There is no parking lot for this trail, but I was told by Brighton Recreation that there are… Read more
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Maguire Family Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Ontario, NY This Genesee Land Trust wildlife sanctuary is located 30 minutes east of Rochester, NY. It is a short, half mile loop hike through woodlands and wetlands with beautiful creek views. There is a small stream crossing at the beginning, but it was pretty easy to hop on the rocks (not sure if… Read more
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Manchester Gateway Trail
Location: Manchester, NY This trail is located 30 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. We parked in the small parking area at the northern end of the trail at Route 96 in Manchester. We then walked the 1.5 mile paved and stone dust path along the beautiful Canandaigua Outlet. Along the path were lookout viewpoints, fitness… Read more
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McCoord Woods
Location: Perinton, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. I parked at the “Crescent Trail Dumpster Entrance” on Kreag Road. This 1.5 mile loop through the woods was very hilly, steep, and narrow at times and therefore is not very little kid-friendly. It was a great workout though and… Read more
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Mertensia Park
Location: Farmington, NY This park is located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. In early May we visited this beautiful park to see the bluebells in bloom along the creek. (Mertensia is the scientific name for Bluebells!) We started by playing at the nice modern playground and then did the hike. According to a sign,… Read more
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Michael A. Johnson Nature Preserve
Location: Webster, NY This short 0.33 mile loop trail branches off of the Hojack Trail halfway between Drumm Road and Van Alstyne in Webster, NY. It is a narrow, dirt path through a beautiful forest. This trail connects to the 0.34 mile John Ungar Nature Trail And can be made into a loop. Trail Map:… Read more
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Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook
Location: Amsterdam, NY This overlook is located 3 hours east of Rochester, NY. A paved walking path leads to a bridge with beautiful views over the Mohawk River. There are beautiful flowers in the summer, benches, artwork, historical information, and more. According to the official website, the MVGO bridge is open from Spring until the… Read more
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Montezuma Heritage Park
Location: Montezuma, NY This beautiful and historic park is located one hour east of Rochester, NY. I walked the 0.4 mile wide, grass Aqueduct Trail (trail 2 on the map) to the historical aqueduct ruins. I then made a loop by walking back along the Seneca River Barge Canal Trail (trail 10) and Lock 62… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – Butterfly Garden of Hope
Location: Liverpool, NY This park is located just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The Onondaga Lake Park – Butterfly Garden of Hope is located on the northeast shore of the lake. According to the official website, “The Butterfly Garden of HOPE is a memorial to… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – East Shore Recreation Trail and Shoreline Walking Trail
Location: Liverpool, NY This park is located just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. There are two main trails on the east shore of the lake. The following are from the official website. East Shore Recreation Trail Shoreline Walking Trail Trail Map: Trail Map AllTrails: Shoreline Walking… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – Salt Museum
Location: Liverpool, NY This museum is located at Onondaga Lake Park – just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts about the history of the salt industry of Syracuse. The building was constructed from timbers taken from actual salt warehouses! Trail… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – Wegmans Playground
Location: Liverpool, NY This museum is located at Onondaga Lake Park – just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The Wegmans Playground is an expansive play area near the lake with inclusive and accessible elements. Dogs are NOT allowed. There is also a skatepark here and… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – West Shore Trail
Location: Liverpool, NY This park is located just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The West Shore Trail is a paved path along the western shore of the lake. The trail is 4.5 miles of woodlands and open areas and goes through the Empower FCU Amphitheater. … Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – Willow Bay
Location: Liverpool, NY This park is located just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The Willow Bay area of the park is located at the northwest end of the lake. From Willow Bay you can walk or bike on the East Shore Recreation Trail which connects… Read more
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Ontario Pathways – Phelps Trailhead
Location: Phelps, NY This trailhead of the 25-mile Ontario Pathways rail trail is located 35 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We only hiked a short section of the trail. There was a wooden bridge. After the bridge we saw an unmarked side trail that leads to Double Drop Falls – a lovely waterfall. There was… Read more
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Pal-Mac Aqueduct Park
Location: Palmyra, NY This park is located 30 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This small park has historic remnants of the Erie Canal, including the 1857 Mud Creek Aqueduct, the 1858 Aldrich Change Bridge (the oldest iron bridge in New York), and a unique spillway waterfall. There are picnic areas, restrooms, and access to the… Read more
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Palmyra Community Library
Location: Palmyra, NY This is a very tiny little storybook walk located behind the Palmyra Community Library, 30 minutes east of Rochester. You can park at the front of the library and walk back, or drive back to the lot right next to the path. There is a small bridge over Hathaway Brook, and a… Read more
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Panorama Valley Park – Irondequoit Creek Panorama Plaza Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Panorama Valley Park is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This little park is located behind Panorama Plaza. There is a small grassy area with a covered picnic table. This is one end of the Irondequoit Creek Panorama Plaza Trail. The trail continues 1 mile along Irondequoit Creek to Channing Philbrick… Read more
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Perinton Park
Location: Perinton, NY This lovely park is located on the Erie Canal 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked in the large lot near the multi age playground and skate park. We then walked along the paved path to the canal and walked on the Canalway trail. This park also features fishing spots, a… Read more
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Powder Mills Park – Daffodil Meadow
Location: Pittsford, NY This beautiful meadow of daffodils is located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY in Powder Mills Park. There are two ways to reach the Daffodil Meadow. Trail Map: Trail Map; Satellite Map AllTrails: Daffodil Trail Official Website: Monroe County Parks Other Websites: Day Trips Around Rochester Read more
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Powder Mills Park – Fish Hatchery
Location: Pittsford, NY The fish hatchery is located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. This is a nice spot to walk around to see the fish, feed them, or just enjoy the park. There are machines to buy fish food for a quarter. Be sure to read all of the signs and follow directions. There… Read more
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Powder Mills Park – Grandview and Pine Forest Trails
Location: Pittsford, NY I took a beautiful snowy hike at this park located 15 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. I parked at the lot on Woolston Road (near this GPS: 43.040089, -77.477079). I hiked a bit of the network of trails accessed from this parking lot. I started with Grandview Trail and also hiked some… Read more
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Powers Farm Market – Nativity Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY We love visiting Powers Farm Market in every season! In the winter, there are Christmas trees for sale, an outdoor firepit, a festively decorated door, and a Nativity Trail. This short little path through the farm features animals, nativity scenes, and is lined by lights. This trail is also open after dark,… Read more
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Robert C. Corby Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Pittsford, NY This beautiful arboretum is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY in Pittsford. We parked in one of the parking lots at the Old Pickle Factory and started on the Auburn Trail. We then made a left onto the Frog Pond Trail and then a quick left onto the Meadow Trail. We… Read more
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Rodney B. Janes Park
Location: Pittsford, NY This short, dirt 0.2-mile loop is located 10 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. This tiny little trail goes through a wooded area between neighborhoods. The entrance is located on Roosevelt Road in Pittsford (approximate address is 1104 Roosevelt Rd), near the intersection with Beechwood Drive (as seen on the map below). There… Read more
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Root Glen
Location: Clinton, NY This nature area is located 2 hours east of Rochester, NY. Root Glen is a botanical garden and wooded trail system located on the Hamilton College campus. There are beautiful bridges over a creek, tree identification signs, benches, evergreen trees, spring ephemerals, and some sculptures. The path is crushed red stone with… Read more
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Rothfuss Park
Location: Penfield, NY This park is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There is a ~1 mile flat, stroller-friendly gravel walking path around the perimeter of the park and a QR Fit Trail. There is an inclusive playground (with recycled rubber safety surfacing that is wheelchair accessible) as well as a dinosaur theme “JACK’S… Read more
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Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm
Location: Arcadia, NY NOTE: The Sanctuary is closed to hikers during hunting season. This beautiful nature trail is located 45 minutes east of Rochester, NY. While there are 1.6 miles of trails, we only did a short section of them. There was a grassy road down to a trailhead sign and a porta potty. I… Read more
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Schoen Place
Location: Pittsford, NY This Erie Canalside spot is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are old warehouses that have been turned into shops and restaurants. You can walk the Erie Canalway Trail (bikes must be walked in this area), take a boat ride, or enjoy a meal. There is an informational sign and… Read more
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Shadow Pines
Location: Penfield, NY This former golf course is now a hiking and walking area as well as located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are a few different areas of this large park. The map below shows the different sections (the STAR is the parking for the recreation/playground area, the SQUARE is the parking… Read more
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Sherburne Park Nature Trail
Location: Walworth, NY This park with a nature trail is located 25 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There is an easy and flat 1 mile nature trail around the perimeter of the park. When we visited in March, the road all the way to the playground and dog park was closed with a gate so… Read more
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Sherwood Fields Park
Location: Penfield, NY This park is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This park features meadows, forested and shrub wetlands, and streams. According to the official website, “the primary trails are accessible, made of crushed stone and re-purposed millings from Monroe County and town road projects.” The large outer loop is 1.4 miles, but… Read more
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Sodus Point Beach Park
Location: Sodus Point, NY This beautiful beach with a pier and lighthouse is located 40 minutes east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. We started at the playground on the beach. We then walked the path to the pier and out to the lighthouse. It is paved and stroller friendly BUT there… Read more
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Spring Lake Trail
Location: Perinton, NY This trail is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We parked in the parking lot of Spring Lake Park and played on the playground for a bit. It’s not a very new playground and is designed for 5-12 year olds. We then walked to the Spring Lake Trail which did require… Read more
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State Road Nature Preserve
Location: Webster, NY This nature preserve is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This 84-acre preserve was created in 2019. The area consists of second growth forest, wetlands, meadows, ponds, and Four Mile Creek. We parked in the lot off of State Road and hikes the 1.1 mile Red Trail loop. It started in… Read more
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Sterling Nature Center – Eagle’s View Trail
Location: Sterling, NY This nature park is located 1.25 hours east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. This hike leads to the most beautiful view of bluffs high above Lake Ontario. We parked at the end of McIntyre Road and walked the path a quarter mile to the “eagle’s view” of Lake… Read more
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Sterling Nature Center – Forest Ecology Trail
ocation: Sterling, NY This nature park is located 1.25 hours east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. According to the official website, the Forest Ecology Trail is a 0.6 mile loop that “circles through several contrasting forest types including a conifer plantation, northern hardwood sugar maple, and a beech-hemlock lowland forest on… Read more
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Sterling Nature Center – Interpretive Center
Location: Sterling, NY This nature park is located 1.25 hours east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. The interpretive center is small but a very nice space with restrooms, chairs, live turtles, informational signs, a detailed map with trail info, and taxidermy animals. Rules (from the Official Website): Trail Map: Trail Map Official Website: Sterling… Read more
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Sterling Nature Center – Lake Trail
Location: Sterling, NY This nature park is located 1.25 hours east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Lake Trail provides access to the 1.9 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline that are part of the Sterling Nature Center. We hiked down to the shoreline from each of the two ends of this… Read more
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Sterling Nature Center – Lakeview Trail
Location: Sterling, NY This nature park is located 1.25 hours east of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Lakeview Trail is a short, accessible stone dust path that leads from the interpretive center down to an observation deck looking out over Lake Ontario. There is also a wildflower meadow with benches. The… Read more
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Thomas Creek Wetland Walk
Location: Fairport, NY This is a really lovely wetland walk located in the village of Fairport located 20 minutes east of Rochester. We parked in the small gravel lot at the end of Liftbridge Lane. First we visited the interactive sundial, where you stand on a brick with the current month, put your arms above… Read more
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Thompson Park at Bear Creek Harbor
Location: Ontario, NY This beautiful park on the shore of Lake Ontario is located 30 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There is a short stone and stone dust path to several memorials and a viewpoint over the lake. There is also views over Bear Creek and people were fishing there and a boat launch area.… Read more
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Thornell Farm Park
Location: Pittsford, NY This park has a large, stroller-friendly 2/3 mile gravel “jogging trail” around the perimeter, a playground, a Little Free Library, pavilions with picnic tables, tennis courts, and athletic fields. Just past the tennis courts there is a small network of wooded trails near a small creek. The trails make a short loop… Read more
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Thousand Acre Swamp
Location: Penfield, NY This trail is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. We hiked along the 0.4 mile main trail (Founders Way) and also checked out the 0.2 mile Boardwalk Loop. The boardwalks through marshlands were absolutely beautiful with some benches to stop and enjoy the scenery and wildlife. The trails continue to Way… Read more
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Tinker Nature Park – Demonstration Gardens
Location: Henrietta, NY This cute little garden is right near the main parking lot at Tinker Nature Park. According to the sign the garden has an alphabet garden, native perennial garden, vegetable garden, mini garden, hummingbird garden, flowering shrub garden, butterfly garden, and herb garden. Be sure to stay on the grass path and not… Read more
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Tinker Nature Park – Nature Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY This is a beautiful park located 15 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The Nature Trail is the inner loop, shown in the map below. The loop is 0.45 miles long with a mostly flat surface through beautiful woods. There are several benches along the trail and a short boardwalk section. There are… Read more
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Tinker Nature Park – Woodland Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY This is a beautiful park located 15 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The woodland trail is the outer loop, shown in the map below. The loop is 1.2 miles via the exercise path or 0.78 miles long if you take the cut through path along the boardwalk next to the pond. The… Read more
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Trail of Hope
Location: Lyons, NY This short, flat trail (about 0.5-0.75 miles) is located near the Lyons Community Center. The trail contains a LOT of wooden signs, art, and gardens. There’s a covered bridge, a yellow brick road, benches, artwork, picnic tables, a wooden ship, a butterfly garden, a deck overlooking the creek, and more! Official Facebook… Read more
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Veterans Memorial Park (Henrietta)
Location: Henrietta, NY This park is located 15 minutes south of Rochester, NY. To access the hiking trail, park in the lot near Bushman Cabin or walk down Cabin Rd from one of the other parking areas. This short ~0.75 mile loop trail is part of the Lehigh Valley Multi-Use Trail (North Branch). The path… Read more
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Veterans Memorial Park (Penfield)
Location: Penfield, NY This Veterans Memorial Park (not to be confused with the one in Henrietta or the one in Rush) is located 15 minutes east of Rochester. Near the playground is the stroller friendly TotTrail – a short 300-foot paved path with a few fitness stations geared toward kids (monkey bars, curved balance beams,… Read more
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Victor Municipal Park
Location: Victor, NY This nice park located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY features a StoryWalk, fitness area, playground, and a fishing pond with a small dock. The StoryWalk is on grass, so would be stroller friendly only for strollers that can be pushed over uneven grass. There is a stone dust path in the… Read more
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Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail
Location: Webster, NY This 0.4 mile out and back trail is located in Webster, NY – 15 minutes northeast of Rochester. This trail features stairs, a boardwalk, bridge, bench, creek views, and a small red pine stand. It also connects to the Hojack Trail. Trail Map: Trail Map; Satellite Map AllTrails: Vosburg Hollow Official Website: Friends… Read more
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Webster First Responders Park – Chiyoda Paved Loop
Location: Webster, NY This trail is located at First Responders Park 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. According to the website: “The Chiyoda Trails are located at the Webster Recreation Center. They consist of a paved trail (one-mile loop) around the ball fields and the First Responders Memorial Playground, plus a packed-dirt trail through the… Read more
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Webster First Responders Park – Chiyoda Trail
Location: Webster, NY This trail is located at First Responders Park 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. According to the website: “The Chiyoda Trails are located at the Webster Recreation Center. They consist of a paved trail (one-mile loop) around the ball fields and the First Responders Memorial Playground, plus a packed-dirt trail through the… Read more
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Webster Park – Beeches Trail
Location: Webster, NY This hiking trail is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY near Lake Ontario. We recently were sledding at Webster Park off of Holt Road and decided to hike the short Beeches Trail to the Webster Pier. There were a few pine trees, bridges, and walking through the tunnel under Lake Road.… Read more
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Webster Park – Fishing Pier
Location: Webster, NY Webster Park is located 25 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. At the northeast end of Webster Park is the fishing pier. There is a seasonal parking area that leads to a paved path over a bridge that goes along the shore to the pier. The path… Read more
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Webster Park – Ridge Trail
Location: Webster, NY Webster Park is located 25 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. The Ridge Trail is a beautiful 1.4 mile trail that follows a mowed lane and dirt path through the woods. I especially loved the grove of spruce trees located near the sign for Wolf Cabin. There… Read more
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Webster Park – West Trail
Location: Webster, NY Webster Park is located 25 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY near the shore of Lake Ontario. This 1.6 mile loop trail had some hills and narrow sections and would likely NOT be stroller friendly. There was a beautiful evergreen tree grove to hike through on this trail and it looked lovely after… Read more
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Whiting Road Nature Preserve
Location: Webster, NY This nature preserve is located 20 minutes northeast of Rochester, NY. There is a whole network of trails in this park (described here). We decided to hike the 0.72 mile blue loop which was perfect for my young kids! The forest was beautiful and I can’t wait to explore more of this… Read more
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Wickham Farms
Location: Penfield, NY This beautiful farm is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The farm is open seasonally for different activities like picking apples, sunflowers, and pumpkins. Depending on the season, there are tractor rides, photo ops, rides and play areas for kids, live animals, a barn to play in corn, a corn maze,… Read more
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The Wild Center – Wild Walk
Location: Tupper Lake, NY The Wild Center is located in the Adirondacks 4 hours northeast of Rochester, NY. The Wild Walk is a trail of bridges in the treetops of the forest. There is a four-story twig tree house, a spider’s web to walk on, and a bald eagle’s nest at the highest point with… Read more
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Winter Festival of Lights (CLOSED)
Location: Macedon, NY NOTE: IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT THIS EVENT IS CLOSED DURING THE 2025-2026 SEASON. The Winter Festival of Lights is located behind the Log Cabin restaurant 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This experience includes tractor rides and horse drawn wagon rides through a huge holiday light display in a hay field.… Read more
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Wolcott Falls
Location: Wolcott, NY This roadside waterfall is located 50 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There is a viewing platform right next to the parking lot to view the waterfall from above. There is also a trail down to the bottom. I did not hike this trail, but according to CNY Hiking: “The short 0.18 mile… Read more
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Wynd’s Woods Trails
Location: Pittsford, NY This trail is located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. If you park along Landsdowne Lane, you can hike the ~0.5 mile loop through a pretty wooded area. This trail is surrounded by neighborhoods and you can see homes through the trees. There were some hills and uneven surfaces, this is not… Read more