Top 10 Hikes and Trails near Green Lakes State Park
If you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors and experience the natural beauty and history of the Ozarks, you should visit the trails near Green Lakes State Parks in New York. Green Lakes State Parks is a stunning destination that features two glacial lakes surrounded by upland forest. Both Round and Green Lakes are meromictic lakes, which means that there is no fall and spring mixing of surface and bottom waters.
Whether you are looking for a short and easy stroll or a long and challenging adventure, you will find a trail that suits your needs. In this article, we will show you the top 10 hikes and trails near Green Lakes State Parks in New York. So, grab your hiking boots and get ready to discover the best trails near Green Lakes State Parks in New York.
And if you’re thinking of RV camping, check out this RV Camping Guide: Green Lakes State Park RV Camping Guide
Overview of the Top 10 Hikes and Trails Near Green Lakes
Here is a list of the top 10 hikes and trails near Green Lakes State Parks in New York, ranging from easy to challenging. We have included the trail lengths, difficulty levels, and estimated times for completion. You can use this list as a quick reference to choose the trail that matches your preferences and abilities.
| Trail Name | Length | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Lake to Round Lake Trail | 2.9 miles | Easy | 1 hour |
| Green Lakes Perimeter Trail | 9.9 miles | Moderate | 4 hours |
| Old Growth Trail | 2.9 miles | Moderate | 1.5 hours |
| Farmers Hill Trail | 1.4 miles | Moderate | 45 minutes |
| Vista Trail | 1.6 miles | Moderate | 1 hour |
| Deer Run Trail | 2.5 miles | Moderate | 1.5 hours |
| Spruce Ridge Trail | 2.8 miles | Difficult | 2 hours |
| Overlook Trail | 1.4 miles | Difficult | 1 hour |
| Indian Ovens Trail | 0.79 miles | Difficult | 30 minutes |
| Powerline Trail | 1.3 miles | Difficult | 45 minutes |
Detailed Trail Descriptions
Now that you have an overview of the top 10 hikes and trails near Green Lakes State Parks in New York, let’s dive into the details of each trail. For each trail, we will offer a detailed description of the route, highlighting key points of interest, scenic viewpoints, and any historical or geological significance. We will also include information on the type of terrain, flora, and fauna that you might encounter on the trail.
Green Lake to Round Lake Trail
The Green Lake to Round Lake Trail is the most popular and easiest trail in the park. It is a loop trail that circles around both Green Lake and Round Lake, offering stunning views of the water and the bluff. The trail is well-groomed and flat, making it suitable for beginners and families. There are also several informational plaques that explain the history and ecology of the lakes and the park. The trail starts and ends at the beach area, where you can find restrooms, picnic tables, and a boat house.
You can also swim, fish, or rent a kayak or a canoe at the beach. The trail is open year-round, but it is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change color. This trail is also wheelchair accessible, but you might need all-terrain tires or adaptive equipment for the surface type and grade. Round Lake Trail is 2.9 miles long and takes about 1 hour to complete. The trail is rated as easy and has an elevation gain of 141 feet.
Green Lakes Perimeter Trail
The Green Lakes Perimeter Trail is the longest and most comprehensive trail in the park. It is a loop trail that covers the entire perimeter of the park, passing by the golf course, the campground, the wildlife enclosure, and the old Erie Canal towpath. The trail also connects to several other trails in the park, giving you the option to extend or shorten your hike.
Also, trail is mostly wooded, but it also has some open fields and wetlands. This trail offers a variety of scenery, wildlife, and historical features, such as the Indian Ovens, the limestone creek, and the farmers hill. Perimeter Trail is moderately difficult, with some hills and uneven terrain. The trail is 9.9 miles long and takes about 4 hours to complete. The trail is rated as moderate and has an elevation gain of 990 feet.
Old Growth Trail
Old Growth Trail You can experience one of the oldest and most diverse forests in the park by hiking the Old Growth Trail. This loop trail showcases the park’s rich biodiversity, with over 200 species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Some of the park’s largest and oldest trees, some of which are over 300 years old, can also be seen along this trail. This trail is moderately difficult, with some steep and rocky sections. It is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. You can complete this trail in about 1.5 hours, as it is 2.9 miles long and has an elevation gain of 354 feet. This trail is rated as moderate.
Farmers Hill Trail
The Farmers Hill Trail If you want to enjoy a panoramic view of the lakes and the surrounding area, you should try the Farmers Hill Trail. This loop trail takes you to the highest point in the park, where you can admire the scenery. You can also learn about some of the park’s historical and cultural features, such as the farmers hill cemetery, the old Erie Canal towpath, and the limestone creek, along this trail. This trail is moderately difficult, with some hills and uneven terrain. It is open year-round, but it might be muddy or snowy in some sections. You can complete this trail in about 45 minutes, as it is 1.4 miles long and has an elevation gain of 249 feet. This trail is rated as moderate.
Vista Trail
Vista Trail For a scenic overlook, you can hike the Vista Trail. This loop trail takes you to a point where you can see the bluff, the stream, and the golf course. You can also explore some of the park’s natural features, such as the wetlands, the meadows, and the forest, along this trail. This trail is moderately difficult, with some hills and rocky sections. It is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. You can complete this trail in about 1 hour, as it is 1.6 miles long and has an elevation gain of 308 feet. This trail is rated as moderate.
Deer Run Trail
Deer Run Trail By hiking the Deer Run Trail, you can spot some of the park’s wildlife, such as deer, turkey, fox, and squirrel, in a wooded area. Along this trail, you can also see some of the park’s natural features, such as the creek, the pond, and the bluff. This trail is moderately difficult, with some hills and uneven terrain. It is open year-round, but it might be muddy or snowy in some sections. This trail is 2.5 miles long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is rated as moderate and has an elevation gain of 308 feet.
Spruce Ridge Trail
Spruce Ridge Trail On this trail, you can see the lakes and the golf course from a ridge. This trail also passes by some of the park’s natural features, such as the spruce trees, the creek, and the bluff. This trail is difficult, with some steep and rocky sections. It is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. This trail is 2.8 miles long and takes about 2 hours to complete. It is rated as difficult and has an elevation gain of 436 feet.
Overlook Trail
Overlook Trail This trail takes you to a high point, where you can see the lakes, the golf course, and the campground. You can also see some of the park’s natural features, such as the creek, the pond, and the bluff, on this trail. This trail is difficult, with some steep and rocky sections. It is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. This trail is 1.4 miles long and takes about 1 hour to complete. It is rated as difficult and has an elevation gain of 308 feet.
Indian Ovens Trail
Indian Ovens Trail By hiking this trail, you can see the Indian Ovens, which are rock formations that resemble ovens, at a historic site. You can also pass by some of the park’s natural features, such as the creek, the pond, and the bluff, along this trail. This trail is difficult, with some steep and rocky sections. It is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. This trail is 0.79 miles long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is rated as difficult and has an elevation gain of 187 feet.
Powerline Trail
Powerline Trail is a loop trail that takes you to a ridge, where you can see the power lines that run through the park. The trail also passes by some of the park’s natural features, such as the creek, the pond, and the bluff. You can expect the trail to be difficult, with some steep and rocky sections. The trail is open year-round, but it might be slippery or icy in some parts. The trail is 1.3 miles long and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Overall, the trail is rated as difficult and has an elevation gain of 308 feet.
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