Home > RecreationHorseback Riding in the Finger LakesCompiling a list of horseback riding trails in the Finger Lakes is no easy task. There are no Web sites listing trails either for the Finger Lakes in general or by county. Some state and county sites mention that horseback riding is allowed in certain parks or forests, but rarely are maps provided. Two of the reasons for this are probably because horses often do considerable damage to trails and the height of a rider sitting on a horse requires trees to be limbed. Repairing trails and limbing trees are activities park and forest managers would rather not do if they can help it.
Keep in mind the following when riding on state land: 1. Horses must have a Negative Coggins Test. 2. Horses are not allowed in camping areas. 3. Horses should not be tethered to live trees.
The following trails are listed on county and state Web sites as being open to horseback riding. Trail maps are generally not available. If you know of other trails not on this list, please contact the publisher at publisher{at}ilovethefingerlakes.com.
Finding maps of state landsThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservtion (DEC) has a mapping system called Environmental Navigator. This system provides a wide variety of information. You can ask it to show DEC offices, interstate highways, railways, and other facilities. You can also ask it to show recreational lands and choose a variety of "visible layers" you want included such as state parks, waterways, etc. You then can choose "active layers" like "hiking trail," "horse trail," etc. This mapping system takes patience to use, but can provide you with a map if you devote the time to it. TRAILSThere is only one dedicated horse trail system in the Finger Lakes designed specifically for horses with trailer parking, water, and stalls. It is the Six Nations Trail in Schuyler County. All other trails are multiple-use trails with limited facilities. Some trails may be very short and not offer parking facilities. Check out each trail before making the effort to go. Cayuga CountyAuburn-Fleming TrailBear SwampCato-Fair Haven Trail mapErie Canal TrailFinger Lakes National ForestHojack TrailSterling Park TrailsChemung CountyMaple Hill State Forest604 acres. Pryne Rd., Town of Chemung. Livingston CountyCanaseraga State Forest1287 acres. Scott Rd. (aka Scott Hill Rd.), Town of Ossian, Dansville, NY See also: http://home.eznet.net/~kfox/wny/sites/rtlsnake.htm#canaseraga Letchworth State ParkOssian State Forest1303 acres. Bonner Rd., Town of Ossian, Dansville, NY see also: http://home.eznet.net/~kfox/wny/sites/rtlsnake.htm#canaseraga Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management AreaMonroe CountyBlack Creek ParkLeHigh Valley TrailMendon Ponds ParkOnondaga CountyHighland Forest ParkOntario CountySchuyler CountyCinnamon Lake State Forest1786 acres. Hornby Rd., Beaver Dams, NY Seneca CountyFinger Lakes National ForestSteuben CountyCanacadea State Forest1623 acres. Flanagan Rd., Hornell, NY Dry Run State Forest1062 acres. Duvall Rd. (aka Duran Rd.), in the Town of Hornby, Painted Post, NY Moss Hill1813 acres. O'Brien Rd., Savona, NY. Rock Creek State Forest704 acres. O'Haragan Rd. East in the Town of Greenwood Tracy Creek State Forest569 acres. Tracy Creek Rd., Addison, NY Tioga CountyJenksville State ForestTompkins CountyHammond Hill State ForestThe Jim Schug TrailPark at the Chaffee/West Lake roads parking lot. It can accommodate horse trailers. South Hill Recreation WayThere is no really good on-line map for this trail. If you have a trailer, the best place to park is on Burns Rd. in the Town of Ithaca. RegionalHorses are also allowed on all sections of the Genesee Valley Greenway. This 90-mile/145-kilometer linear trail system runs through Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties. Other SuggestionsState Route 390 Running west of Rochester for more than 20 mi./32 km. is State Route 390. It is a divided 4-line road with a large grassy area dividing the directions. The road runs right next to Lake Ontario and has a paved bike lane that is about 5 ft/1.5 m. wide. You can easily park in one of several boat launch areas along the route and ride either in the bike lane or on the grass to the right of the bike lane (stopping for lunch right on the lakeshore) or on the grassy divider. The west-to-east side is equally nice with trees providing shade. What's really nice about this road is that, despite the fact that it's a 4-lane highway, there's very little traffic, even during the summer.
Old Erie Canal State ParkTrail This scenic linear 36 mi./58 km. trail begins in Dewitt (Onondaga County) and ends in Rome (Oneida County). The surface is either stone dust or gravel. Park at Poolsbrook or Cedar Bay picnic areas and most intersections. This is a multi-use trail, so be prepared for bikers and hikers.
Erie Canal Heritage Trail This 100-mi./161 km. multi-use trail runs between Tonawanda in western New York and Newark in Wayne County. Parking is available at many of the access points. Sign kiosks containing maps and historic information are located at many trailheads. The trail surface is stone dust with some heavily used portions around Rochester done in asphalt. A nice access point is near Green Lakes State Park at the intersection of State Routes 257 and 290 in Onondaga County. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate horse trailers. Private Stables with TrailsCayuga Lakeside Stables9186 Booth Rd. Trumansburg, NY 14886 607-387-9050 Route 80 Stables5016 S. Onondaga Rd. Nedrow, NY 13120 315-492-3404 Top Rock Stables1544 County Road 23 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-8872 ACCOMMODATIONSBed & BreakfastsDonameer Farm7417 Velie Rd. Hammondsport, NY 14840 607-569-2115 CampingBear Creek Appaloosas6448 Glen Cove Rd. Moravia, NY 13118 315-496-2310/315-496-2092 (Reservations required) Backbone Horse CampFinger Lakes National Forest 5218 State Route 414 Hector, NY 14841 607-546-4470 CottagesRoute 80 Stables5016 S. Onondaga Rd. Nedrow, NY 13120 315-492-3404
Updated 27 August 2008 |
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You, the horse rider, can do a lot to prevent your horse--and horses in general--from getting a bad rap. Pick and choose your trails and the time of year you ride these trails carefully. Don't ride trails that are nothing but leaf mold as this is the type of trail that is most easily damaged by horses. Don't ride over sensitive native plants like trilliums, orchids, and trout lily as they plants tend to die out if trampled. Don't allow your horse to deficate on trails used by hikers or in or near streams.
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