Trail Length and Type: Short Trail (<1 mile)

  • Akron Falls Park – Akron Falls Trail

    Location: Akron, NY This beautiful waterfall is located 1 hour west of Rochester, NY just outside of Buffalo. It was about 0.1 mile each way to the lookout over the […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Black Creek Park – Fairy House Trail

    Location: North Chili, NY It was difficult to find information on this Fairy House Trail located 20 minutes west of Rochester, NY.  This short trail starts with a small pine […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Breese Park

    Location: West Henrietta, NY We love this short, flat, stroller friendly trail located along the Genesee River 20 minutes southwest of Rochester, NY. The trail is a 1/2 mile stone […] Read more

  • Brickyard Trail

    Location: Brighton, NY This flat, accessible, stone dust trail is located 10 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The path is 0.8 miles long one-way and passes through a small wooded […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Brighton Town Park

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    Location: Brighton, NY This lovely park is located 10 minutes south of Rochester, NY. There are two walking areas here in addition to baseball fields, pavilions, a lodge, restrooms, and […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Camp Eastman

    Location: Rochester/Irondequoit, NY This is a super duper short (~0.1 mile) little paved loop path near Lake Ontario in Rochester, NY. The path passes by playground equipment (including accessible features), […] Read more

  • Cayuga Nature Center – TreeTops Treehouse 

    Location: Ithaca, NY We had so much fun visiting this nature center 1.5 hours south of Rochester! We especially enjoyed climbing the six-story treehouse in the woods! To reach the […] Read more

  • Clift Park

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    Location: Skaneateles I visited this park in Lake George in 2015 and we enjoyed the festive gazebo, lit up tree at the end of the pier, and the views of […] Read more

  • Cobb’s Hill Park/Lake Riley

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    Location: Rochester, NY The bottom part of Cobb’s Hill Park, located along Culver Road in the city of Rochester, has a lot to offer! While there is not an official […] Read more

  • Cobb’s Hill Reservoir

    Location: Rochester, NY Cobb’s Hill Reservoir, located in the city of Rochester, has a great view of downtown. There is a 0.7 mile flat paved loop around a fenced-in reservoir. […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Durand Eastman Park – Daffodils

    Location: Rochester, NY Durand Eastman Park is located along Lake Ontario in the city of Rochester. In the arboretum along Zoo Road is an area with many daffodils! We parked […] Read more

  • Durand Eastman Park – Log Cabin Road

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    Location: Rochester, NY Durand Eastman Park is located along Lake Ontario in the city of Rochester. There are several trails in the park with beautiful views. We drove the Log […] Read more

  • Durand Eastman Park – Pinetum

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    Location: Rochester, NY On my hunt to find all of the pine tree hikes in the Rochester area, I had to check out the pinetum at Durand Eastman Park. We […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Frank Baker Park

    Location: Canandaigua, NY This park features a loop path with a StoryWalk, a playground, sports fields, and seasonal restrooms. Instagram Link: Instagram Facebook Link: Facebook Official Website: City of Canandaigua, […] Read more

  • Gates Memorial Park

    Location: Gates, NY This basic park is located 10 minutes west of Rochester, NY. It has a 0.5-mile paved walking path around some fields that passes by small wooded areas. […] Read more

  • Genesee County Park & Forest – ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center

    Location: East Bethany, NY This outdoor learning center is located 45 minutes west of Rochester, NY. The ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center is located right next to the Interpretive Center. There […] Read more

  • Genesee County Park & Forest – Forestry Trail

    Location: East Bethany, NY This beautiful 0.61 mile loop trail is located 45 minutes west of Rochester, NY. The Forestry trail is connected to many other trails in a large […] Read more

  • Genesee County Park & Forest – Plantation Trail

    Location: East Bethany, NY This beautiful trail is located 45 minutes west of Rochester, NY. It is a 0.5 mile loop through several tree plantations planted throughout the late 1960’s. […] Read more

  • Glen Park

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    Location: Williamsville, NY We visited this beautiful park on a recent trip to Buffalo, located 1.5 hours west of Rochester, NY. We parked near the Nature Play Playground which had […] Read more

  • Greece Canal Park – West Trail

    Location: Greece, NY This trail is located 15 minutes west of Rochester, NY. The West Trail is an easy 0.4 mile path over level terrain with beautiful nature and wildlife. […] Read more

  • Greece Town Campus Walking Path

    Location: Greece, NY The Greece Town Hall Campus Walking Trail is located 20 minutes northwest of Rochester near the Greece Public Library and Community Center. There is a 1/2 mile […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Hemlock Lake Park

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    Location: Hemlock, NY This beautiful park on the north end of Hemlock Lake is located 40 minutes south of Rochester, NY. There is a pine tree grove, picnic area, pavilion, […] Read more

  • Hidden Sidewalk

    Location: Rochester, NY This not-so-secret sidewalk is located along Lake Ontario in the City of Rochester. We parked at the northwest corner of the parking lot at Ontario Beach Park […] Read more

  • Highland Park – Lamberton Conservatory

    Location: Rochester, NY This indoor conservatory is one of our favorite spots in Highland Park! We love to walk the loop to see all of the beautiful plants, trees, and […] Read more

  • Highland Park – Pinetum

    Location: Rochester, NY The Pinetum at Highland Park in Rochester, NY contains beautiful evergreen trees! I hiked the dirt path starting at the intersection of Doctors Drive, Pinetum Drive, and […] Read more

  • Highland Park – Poets Garden

    Location: Rochester, NY This 275-foot long pathway is a peaceful spot in Highland Park located across from the Lamberton Conservatory. There are stone benches with Shakespeare’s quotes, a sundial, bird […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Holley Canal Falls

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    Location: Holley, NY Holley Canal Falls is a waterfall located 40 minutes west of Rochester, NY that can be viewed without any hiking. You can park right near the falls […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Ithaca Falls

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    Location: Ithaca, NY This beautiful Finger Lakes waterfall is located 1.5 hours southeast of Rochester, NY. There is a short 0.2 mile rocky, gravel trail to the waterfalls with a […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Lamberton Conservatory – Holiday Show

    This annual holiday light show at the Lamberton Conservatory at Highland Park is one of our favorite activities! My main post on the Lamberton Conservatory can be found here. 2024 […] Read more

  • Legion Eyer Park

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    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. […] Read more

  • Letchworth State Park – Autism Nature Trail

    Location: Castile, NY The Autism Nature Trail is located one hour southwest of Rochester, NY at Letchworth State Park. According to its website, “The Autism Nature Trail is for everyone—especially […] Read more

  • Lime Hollow Nature Center – Eric Kroot Art Trail

    Location: Cortland, NY Note: There is hunting allowed at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Do your research before visiting these hiking trails and take safety precautions. This 0.32 mile trail is […] Read more

  • Lime Hollow Nature Center – Trail for All

    Location: Cortland, NY Note: There is hunting allowed at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Do your research before visiting these hiking trails and take safety precautions. This 0.25 mile, flat accessible […] Read more

  • Linear Garden

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    Location: Rochester, NY This lovely pocket park is located in the North Winton Village neighborhood of the City of Rochester. There is a short and narrow stone dust path, about […] Read more

  • Lions Park

    Location: Gates, NY This park is located 10 minutes west of Rochester, NY. There is a 0.4 mile stroller-friendly paved path around the perimeter of the park. It passes by […] Read more

  • Lollypop Farm

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    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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Mead Square Park – Holiday Lights

    Location: Victor, NY This small park is located right on Main Street in Victor. The brick path is only 200 feet long. There are several benches along the path. The […] Read more

  • Mendon Ponds Park – Birdsong Fairy Trail

    Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This super fun trail located 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY is lined with fairy doors and fairy houses that are painted on and built into the […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Mendon Ponds Park – Wild Wings Nature Center

    Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY We really enjoyed our visit to Wild Wings at Mendon Ponds Park after hiking the Birdsong Fairy Trail and playing at the natural log play area. We […] Read more

  • 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. […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Oatka Creek Park – Old Burrell Road

    Location: Scottsville (Wheatland), NY Oatka Creek Park is located 30 minutes south west of Rochester, NY. Old Burrell Road trail follows the green trail markers from the main parking lot. […] Read more

  • Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill – “The Jump Off”

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    Location: Naples, NY Ontario County Park is located less than an hour from Rochester. The “Jump Off” is a 0.1 mile stroller friendly, ADA accessible trail and is one of […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Pont de Rennes

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    Location: Rochester, NY I visited this scenic bridge located in Rochester, NY on a beautiful snowy day. This pedestrian bridge spans 858 feet and is 114 feet above the Genesee […] Read more

  • 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. After […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Boardwalk

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    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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – State Symbols Trail

    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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Robert C. Corby Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary

    Location: Pittsford, NY I recently visited this beautiful arboretum located 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY in Pittsford. We parked in one of the parking lots at the Old Pickle […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Seneca Park – Trout Lake

    Location: Rochester, NY Trout Lake is located right in the city of Rochester, NY in Seneca Park. There is parking at the several shelters around the lake or alongside the […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Thornell Farm Park

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    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 […] Read more

  • Tinker Nature Park – Demonstration Gardens

    Location: Pittsford, 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Victory Fairy Trail at Springdale Farm

    Location: Spencerport, NY This short fairy house trail is located at Springdale Farm 20 minutes west of Rochester, NY. To reach the fairy trail, follow the 0.2 mile paved path […] Read more

  • Vitale Park

    Location: Lakeville, NY This is a lovely lakeside park located 30 minutes south of Rochester. There are two parking lots: a gravel lot on the west side of the park […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • 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 […] Read more

  • Winter Festival of Lights

    Location: Macedon, NY 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 […] Read more