Structure: Boardwalk
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Big Pond Trail
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. The Big Pond Trail is a 2 mile long loop trail blazed with yellow triangles and takes you through fields, forests and wetlands. This trail shares sections with the Overlook Trail and the Spatterdock… Read more
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Outdoor Areas
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. There are several hiking trails as well as hands-on activities inside of the nature center. There are also some beautiful spots to visit just outside of the nature center building, including a birds of… Read more
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Overlook Trail
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. The Overlook Trail is a 0.6 mile long loop blazed with blue circles. The paved, stroller-friendly section of Overlook Trail takes you past ponds to the Blue Heron Overlook. The rest of the trail… Read more
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Spatterdock Trail
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. The Spatterdock Trail is a 1 mile loop trail blazed with orange squares. The trail passes by ponds, goes through both hemlock and hardwood forests, and leads to a photo blind and a side… 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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Black Creek Park – Wetland Trail
Location: North Chili, NY This beautiful park is located 20 minutes west of Rochester, NY. We hiked the Wetland Trail which is a 2.1 mile one-way trail. We started near the Woodside Shelter, hiked down the wide pine tree lined path, and then followed the green trail markers. This trail can be combined with the… Read more
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Braddock Bay – Owl Woods
Location: Greece, NY Braddock Bay is located 20 minutes northwest of Rochester, NY near Lake Ontario. This trail was really beautiful with pine trees, some benches, and a tree tunnel. There are signs about what to do if you see an owl, but we didn’t see any. There is a big loop and also a… Read more
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Brookdale Preserve
Location: Chili, NY This Genesee Land Trust nature preserve is located 18 minutes southwest of Rochester, NY. According to their website, Brookdale Preserve ” contains wooded wetlands, an open wet-meadow, and hardwood uplands. The Preserve is home to a Floodplain forest which is a rare ecological community in New York State and one of the… 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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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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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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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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Durand Eastman Park – Irondequoit Lakeside Trail
Location: Rochester, NY This trail, also called the Lakeshore Bike Trail and the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail, is located in Rochester, NY. The roughly 9 mile trail trail starts at the intersection of Durand Blvd and Culver Rd and goes along Sweet Fern Road and Lake Shore Blvd all the way to the Genesee… 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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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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Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve
Location: Macedon, NY This beautiful nature preserve has so much to offer! Wooded paths, creek views, and wildflower meadows full of butterflies make this trail great in every season. We visited this lovely nature preserve to look for wildflowers and we found a ton as well as many bumblebees and butterflies! We parked at the… Read more
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Ganondagan – Earth is Our Mother Trail
Location: Victor, NY Note: There is hunting allowed at Ganondagan. Do your research before visiting these hiking trails and take safety precautions. Ganondagan, located 25 minutes south of Rochester, is the original site of a 17th century Seneca town. Today, it is home to the Ganondagan State Historic Site and miles of beautiful trails. The… Read more
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Ganondagan – Granary Trail at Fort Hill
Location: Victor, NY Note: There is hunting allowed at Ganondagan. Do your research before visiting these hiking trails and take safety precautions. Ganondagan, located 25 minutes south of Rochester, is the original site of a 17th century Seneca town. Today, it is home to the Ganondagan State Historic Site and miles of beautiful trails. The… Read more
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Hamlin Beach State Park – Yanty Creek Nature Trail
Location: Hamlin, NY This state park is located 30 minutes northwest of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. On the east end of the park is the Yanty Marsh with a beautiful nature trail. About 0.2 miles into the hike is a beautiful boardwalk to a viewing platform over the marsh. The trail… 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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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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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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Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge – Kanyoo Trail
Location: Basom, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 1 hour west of Rochester, NY. This trail has two loops: the yellow trail is 0.7 mile and the blue trail is 1 mile or the trails can be combined (see the map below). The trails pass through wooded areas and vernal wetlands. There is a… Read more
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Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge – Swallow Hollow Nature Trail
Location: Basom, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 1 hour west of Rochester, NY. This trail is a 1.3 mile loop through marsh, forested wetlands, and upland habitat including a beautiful evergreen forest. There is a long elevated boardwalk section and gravel paths as well as several benches, bridges, and informational signs along the… Read more
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Ithaca Children’s Garden
Location: Ithaca, NY This is a magical and wonderful place to walk around in Ithaca, located 1.5 hours southeast of Rochester. There is so much to do! There is a giant turtle you can walk on, multiple gardens, a play area, story walk, music garden, troll house, playground, and so much more! Important Info from… 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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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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Labrador Hollow Unique Area – Boardwalk Trail
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. This accessible and stroller-friendly trail is a 0.4 mile loop boardwalk with views… Read more
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MaryFrances Bluebird Haven
Location: Victor, NY We visited this beautiful nature area on an October morning. This park is supposed to be great for birdwatching, particularly bluebirds so I look forward to returning in the spring/summer! There is a 1-mile trail around the perimeter of the park that is through low trees and then a forest area. It… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Devil’s Bathtub Trail
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This beautiful trail is located in Mendon Ponds Park, 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY. According to the park website, Devil’s Bathtub Trail is a loop and is described as a ”easy 0.67 mile walk with one steep climb and stair and boardwalk sections.” It has a small viewing platform with benches… Read more
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Meridian Centre Park
Location: Brighton, NY This lovely park is tucked behind some office buildings 12 minutes south of Rochester, NY. This park contains meadows, wetlands, and forest areas. There is a nice playground near the parking area with a few paths to take. The paved paths around the park are stroller friendly and accessible. When the trail… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Boardwalk
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. There is a short (less than 0.1 mile), accessible boardwalk trail that starts near the main entrance. The end… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Lily Pond Loop
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. This 0.3 mile flat path over crushed stone and mowed grass circles Lily Pond. The trail has views of… Read more
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RMSC Cumming Nature Center – Gnome Roam (SEASONAL)
Location: Naples, NY 🚨 Read this before visiting!!! This is a seasonal trail exhibit. Check the RMSC Gnome Roam Website to check for open dates 🚨 This 0.75 mile long whimsical trail is located at RMSC Cumming Nature Center, one hour south of Rochester, NY. The Gnome Roam is only open in winter (mid December… Read more
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Sandy Bottom Park and Nature Trail
Location: Richmond, NY This park is located 40 minutes south of Rochester, NY at the north end of Honeoye Lake. There is a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding hills with benches and picnic tables, two playgrounds, swimming beach, boat launch, fishing area, porta potty, and informational signs. Be sure to look for signs… Read more
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Saunders Finger Lakes Museum – Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve
Location: Branchport, NY The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum is located 1 hour southeast of Rochester, NY. There are nature trails, a kayak launch, StoryWalk, and a natural playscape. Other exhibits are currently under construction. Across the road from the Creekside Center is the Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve. The Sugar Creek Trail goes from a grassy parking… Read more
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Stewart Park
Location: Ithaca, NY This park is located in Ithaca along the shore of Cayuga Lake, 1 hour 45 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. This beautiful park has so much to offer. This park includes a section of the paved Cayuga Waterfront Trail with beautiful views of the lake and many benches. This path connects to… Read more
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Stewart Park – Renwick Wildwoods Fuertes Bird Sanctuary Loop Trail
Location: Ithaca, NY This trail is located in Stewart Park along the shore of Cayuga Lake, 1 hour 45 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. There are two entrances to this loop trail from Stewart Park – numbers 15 and 16 on the park map below. The trail is a flat, dirt path. The full loop is… 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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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 – 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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Trillium Nature Center – Jenny Glen Boardwalk
Location: North Java, NY This Buffalo Audubon Society nature center (formerly Beaver Meadows Nature Center) is located 1.25 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 40 minutes from Buffalo. A quarter mile down the road from the interpretive center is the Jenny Glen Boardwalk with its own parking area. This 0.3 mile accessible boardwalk makes a… Read more
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Turning Point Park
Location: Rochester, NY This beautiful park is located in the City of Rochester and includes a section the Genesee Riverway Trail. After parking at the lot on Boxart Street, we took the trail north. The path starts out paved through a beautiful wooded area. There is a steep hill down that leads to a beautiful… Read more
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Twin Cedars Environmental Area
Location: Avon, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 25 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The property is owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). We hiked the ~1 mile trail clockwise around the pond. It started by an adorable red A-frame and then along a grassy path along the north… 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