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Fillmore Glen State Park

1686 State Rt. 38

Moravia, NY 13118

315-497-0130

Services: A,E,G,I,J,M,P,Q,R,S,V,X,Y,Z,BB,CC

History

Fillmore Glen State Park is named for Millard Fillmore, this country's thirteenth president, who was born on 7 January 1800 in a cabin about five mi./8 km. from the park. A replica of this cabin is on the park grounds.

The Glen

The park is centered around a glen or gorge through which runs Dry Creek on its way to the inlet to Owasco Lake. There are five waterfalls. At the northern end of the glen is the remains of an old dam. This is worth a visit as it has a nice falls.

Nature in the Glen

The gorge is narrow and steep and heavily shaded with native trees, some of them quite large. The shade of the woods keeps the soil moist and causes the glen to be rather humid at times. This moisture is good for the native plants, which grow here in abundance. You should be able to find a variety of ferns, several species of trilliums, ginger, oxalis, and other shade-loving plants.

Because the glen is so steep and narrow, most of the large mammals will be found well away from the glen and the trails. However, small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks can be seen regularly. Birds, too, can be found along the trails, such as woodland thrushes, juncos, winter wrens, and other birds that like deep shade.

Recreation

Camping is permitted from mid-May to mid-October. The park has 60 camp sites, three cabins (each with electricity, stove, refrigerator, and four beds), and three lean-tos.

Dry Creek feeds a supervised swimming area. The water temperature is usually around 60°F/15.5°C. Park activities, including tours through the gorge, are offered from July 4th to Labor Day (early September).

The park has a pavilion, and the area near it is mowed and can be used for ball games and other activities that require a grassy surface.

Hiking the trails is the most common activity during spring, summer and autumn. The trails can range from flat to steep, and hikers need to be careful while walking as there are many rocks and roots in the trails. Hiking boots are strongly recommended for these trails. No matter which trails you take, a trip from one end of the glen to the other is about 3 mi./4.8 km. There are no bathroom facilities other than those at the bottom of the glen and hikers would be wise to carry something to drink. The gorge trails are closed in the winter.

Photography of spring wildflowers can be rewarding before the leaves come out on the trees. But photography once the trees have leafed out can be a challange as the glen fills with shade and permits only dappled sun, which tends to confuse digital cameras. With such strong shade, a tripod is recommended, but carrying one long distances through the glen requires good thigh muscles.

As with photography, birding before the trees leaf out can be rewarding, though some of the older trees are quite tall. Once the leaves come out, the glen becomes dense and birding by ear is often your only option.

In the winter, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are permitted on unplowed roads.

Pets must be leashed everywhere in the park.

941 acres, 60 tent/trailer sites (10 electric), 3 cabins

Trail map and camping area map (pdf)

Nearby

Filmore Glen State Park is in the Town of Moravia. Much of the village of Moravia is on the National Register of Historic Places and well worth a visit. List of historic places in Moravia

Key to Services

A-Beach

B-Biking

C-Boat Launch Sites

D-Boat Rentals

E-Cabins

F-Camper Recreation

G-Campsites

H-Dockage

I-Dumping Station

J-Empire Passport Accepted

K-Fishing

L-Food

M-Hiking

N-Marina

O-Nature Trail

P-Pavilions

Q-Picnic Tables

R-Playground

S-Playing Fields

T-Powerboats

U-Recreation Programs

V-Showers

W-Sledding

X-Snowmobiling

Y-Snowshoeing

Z-Tent/Trailer Sites

AA-Vacation Rentals

BB-X-Country Skiing

CC-Scenic Views

DD-All above

Updated 6 January 2013