Finger Lakes National Forest Guide
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Finger Lakes National Forest is the only national forest in New York State. It spans over 16,000 acres and lies between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. The forest covers diverse landscapes of gorges, ravines, pastures, and woodlands, and features over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that are ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and exploration. This multi-use land is home to free-ranging cattle, thriving wildlife habitats, and areas of native older forests. RV camping, with several developed campgrounds, is a popular way to explore the Finger Lakes National Forest. Private camping near Finger Lakes National Forest provides the perfect base for your adventure. Towns like Watkins Glen and Ithaca offer RV rental services via RVShare, making it easy for visitors to access this beautiful region.
Camping in Finger Lakes National Forest
Finger Lakes National Forest provides three campgrounds, paid spaces, dispersed camping options, and RV-friendly spaces. Dispersed camping in Finger Lakes National Forest is allowed in designated areas throughout the forest. These sites offer a rustic camping experience with no amenities.
Explore the top campgrounds in New York near Finger Lakes National Forest. Nearby towns like Watkins Glen and Hector provide additional private campgrounds near Finger Lakes National Forest with amenities like water and electric hookups. Use RVshare to locate dump stations near the forest for a hassle-free camping experience.
Paid Campgrounds in Finger Lakes National Forest
$15.00 per night per site; Day Use Fee: $5.00 per day
$15 per night
Price: $20-$40 per night
Budget-Friendly Campgrounds
Dispersed Camping Areas are available in designated areas in
Campgrounds by Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers for Water Activities
Price: $20-$40 per night
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Greendale Campground
The Greendale Campground is a small site that is located along the banks of the Greendale Brook in Weston, VT. It provides a remote, wooded setting. There are 11 campsites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Vault toilets are available. The trailhead for the 4.0 mile Greendale Loop trail is located here. It is open year-round, with a $10 nightly fee per site.
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Blueberry Patch Campground
The Blueberry Patch Campground is located along Picnic Area Road (CR 2) next to the large blueberry patch that gives it its name. This makes the small, semi-private site popular in May when the berries are in season. Each of the nine campsites has a fire pit and a picnic table. There are handicap-accessible vault toilets and several trails nearby for hikers. Rates are $15 a night, and the campsite is open year-round.
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Conesus Lake Campground
The Conesus Lake Campground offers 70 full hookup sites that include water, sewer, and electric as well as cable. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, playgrounds, restrooms with hot showers, a laundromat, a recreation building and general store, a heated indoor pool, and boat docks. There are facilities for fishing and for gem mining. The campground is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and rates are $50-$60 a night.
RV Rentals Near Finger Lakes National Forest
Finger Lakes National Forest Hiking Trails
Finger Lakes National Forest boasts over 30 miles of hiking trails that wind through diverse landscapes. Here are some top picks:
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Distance: 1.49 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.67 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Challenging Trails
Distance: 11.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Distance: 4.22 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Burdett to Dunham Lean-To via North Country Trail
Distance: 9.38 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Lakeside Trails
Distance: 1.92 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Searsburg Road to Seneca Road via Interloken Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.87 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
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Greendale Loop Trail
This out-and-back trail winds through a mixed landscape of hardwoods and conifers with long stretches bordering scenic streams. Most of the hike is along gravel roads with little elevation gain, but the last mile does have a moderate slope. Along the way, you'll get to cross an old Civilian Conservation Corps-era bridge.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Burnt Hill Trail
The Burnt Hill Trail is a moderately trafficked loop located near Burdett, NY. It is also located near the Blueberry Patch campground. The trail goes through a pasture overlooking cows grazing in nearby farms. As you continue on the trail, you'll find many opportunities for bird watching and seeing wildlife.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Finger Lakes Backbone Trail
This lightly trafficked loop is located near Burdett, NY, and features beautiful wildflowers in the spring. It's used mainly for hiking and nature trips and is best enjoyed from March through October. There are excellent views along the trail as well as creek crossings. At times the ground can become swampy, but plank bridges are laid across particularly damp sections. Steady, gentle inclines make this a favored trail for bikers.
Length: 4.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Interloken Trail
This is a moderately trafficked point-to-point trail near Trumansburg, NY. The trail starts out in the woods, and then it veers toward beautiful meadows and pastures filled with wildflowers through the spring and summer months. Often there are flowers blooming into September. The trail ends on Teeter Pond. While there is little elevation gain, the uneven terrain in some places makes this a more challenging hike.
Length: 11.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Excelsior Glen Falls Trail
This moderately trafficked out-and-back trail is located near Burdett, NY. It features three beautiful waterfalls and is wonderful for bird watchers and for nature trips. The third waterfall is the most impressive. The trail may be hiked from March through November, but the waterfalls are best appreciated in the spring.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Moderate
Activities in Finger Lakes National Forest
Finger Lakes National Forest offers a wide range of activities for all interests.
Hiking: Explore routes like the Ravine Trail, Burnt Hill Trail, or the Finger Lakes Trail for breathtaking views of woodlands and meadows. For a more immersive experience, backpackers can take on the Interloken Trail or the Finger Lakes Trail.
Fishing:Try fishing at the Potomac Pond, stocked with brook and rainbow trout, or at Ballard Pond, known for bass and panfish. Foster Pond is known for its brook trout waters, while Sassafras Pond is a year-round spot for largemouth bass. Catch seasonal fish at Caywood Point on Seneca Lake.
Mountain Biking:Explore designated trails like the Backbone Trail, Burnt Hill Trail, and Interloken Trail, winding through open pastures and serene woodlands.
Wildlife Viewing:Spot grassland birds like the rare Henslow's sparrow and bobolink or vibrant shrubland species like the yellow warbler. Find ruffed grouse, scarlet tanagers, and Northern goshawks in the forests. Larger animals, such as deer, bobcats, and red foxes, roam the forest, while beavers and wood ducks thrive in the wetlands.
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Bird Watching
Birdwatchers will find a rich diversity of species to observe, including grassland birds such as the rare Henslow's sparrow, the grasshopper sparrow, the American kestrel, the northern harrier, and the bobolink. Shrubland birds include the yellow warbler, the Eastern towhee, the brown thrasher, the yellow-billed cuckoo, and the goldfinch. Among forest birds that might be seen are the Northern goshawk, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and the beautiful scarlet tanager. There are also wood ducks and the Eastern wild turkey.
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Fishing
The Finger Lakes National Forest has many fishing opportunities. This region produces some of the best bass fishing in the state. These include both smallmouth and largemouth black bass. Other species that can be found in the rivers and lakes of the area include walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, chain pickerel, tiger muskies, and panfish.
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Geocaching
The Finger Lakes region has many opportunities for geocachers. There are caches located not only in the Finger Lakes National Forest but also in nearby Seneca Lake State Park, Steuben, Seneca Falls, along Lake Ontario, and in the towns of Ithaca, Rochester, and Syracuse.
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Stargazing
The Finger Lakes National Forest is also one of the best places for stargazing because there is very little light pollution in the area. In winter, it's possible to see the Northern Lights on clear nights.
How to get to Finger Lakes National Forest
Address: Hector Ranger Station at 5218 State Route 414, Hector, NY 14841
Fee: Entry fee $0
By Car
From Ithaca, NY: The Finger Lakes National Forest is a quick half-hour drive (20 miles) from Ithica, NY via Perry City Rd. Take NY-96 N and follow Perry City Rd to reach the forest entrance.
From Syracuse, NY:From Syracuse, NY, Finger Lakes National Forest is approximately 1 hour and 28 minutes away (75.7 miles) via I-81 S and NY-13 S.
New York City, NY:From New York, NY, Finger Lakes National Forest is about 4 hours and 27 minutes away (246 miles) via I-80 W and I-81 N.
By Air
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH): Located 25 miles from the forest, this is the nearest airport offering domestic flights.
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR): Approximately 76 miles away, this airport has a wider range of international and domestic flight options.
Seasonal Restrictions
Some trails and campgrounds may close during winter or after heavy rains. Check the forest’s official website for updates before your visit.
Fees and Permits
Entry to Finger Lakes National Park is free. Paid campgrounds start at $15 per night. Permits are required for group camping, events, commercial operations, and land use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finger Lakes National Forest
What type of wildlife lives in Finger Lakes National Forest?
Wildlife living in the Finger Lakes National Forest includes white-tailed deer, bobcats, red foxes, and beavers. A variety of birds also lives in the area, along with other animals.
How many hiking trails does Finger Lakes National Forest have?
The Finger Lakes National Forest has more than 30 miles of trails that cross a variety of terrains. Hikers can walk by gorges, pastures, woodlands, and many other features in the forest.
What is the closest town to Finger Lakes National Forest?
Burdett is one of the closest towns to the Finger Lakes National Forest. Watkins Glen is also nearby, and is a beautiful little town to visit, grab a bite to eat, and just enjoy wandering through for a day.
Is Finger Lakes National Forest open all year round?
Yes, the Finger Lakes National Forest is open year-round. Parts of the forest may be inaccessible in winter, but it's a great spot for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or birdwatching for winter fowl.
What is the best time to visit Finger Lakes National Forest?
Summer is the best time to visit the Finger Lakes National Forest. The weather is warm enough to enjoy hiking, paddling, or swimming in forest lakes. The forest is also the most accessible in summer, when all the snow has melted. Fall in the Finger Lakes National Forest is also a breathtaking time to visit.
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