Hidden Forest Trails In New York That Outshine The Crowds Of Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen State Park draws thousands with its dramatic gorge and cascading waterfalls, yet New York’s forests conceal trails of equal grandeur, untouched by heavy crowds.
Along these hidden pathways, hikers encounter serene waterfalls, towering rock formations, and quiet woodland beauty.
For those seeking solitude amid stunning landscapes, these lesser-known routes offer experiences that rival the famed gorge.
1. Tinker Falls — Nature’s Hidden Curtain
Tucked away in Morgan Hill State Forest, Tinker Falls creates a natural amphitheater where water cascades over a limestone cliff. The magic happens when you follow the path leading behind the waterfall itself, standing in a shallow cave while water forms a translucent veil before you.
Spring brings the most dramatic flows, though even summer’s gentler cascade charms visitors. The moderate 1.5-mile trail winds through hardwood forest, offering glimpses of woodland wildlife and seasonal wildflowers.
Ancient sea fossils embedded in the rock walls remind hikers they’re walking through an ocean floor from 380 million years ago.
2. Bear Swamp — A Trail Through the Seasons
Bear Swamp’s three-mile loop transforms dramatically with each passing season. April brings a carpet of trillium and spring beauties, while summer hikers might spot orange salamanders darting across damp sections of trail.
The real showstopper arrives in October when sugar maples create a canopy of crimson and gold that reflects in the quiet ponds scattered throughout the forest. Winter blankets the landscape in snow, turning the trail into a perfect cross-country skiing route.
Unlike Watkins Glen’s crowds, you might hike for hours here without encountering another soul, just the occasional white-tailed deer watching from the underbrush.
3. Rock City — A Maze of Stone
Massive sandstone boulders create nature’s playground in Rock City State Forest. These enormous rocks, some as large as houses, were left behind by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago, forming narrow passages and hidden chambers perfect for exploration.
Children love scrambling through the stone labyrinth, while photographers find endless compositions among the moss-covered monoliths. The short loop might take just an hour to walk, but most visitors spend much longer investigating the rock formations.
Local folklore claims these stones were once gathering places for indigenous ceremonies, adding a layer of mystery to your adventure through this natural stone city.
4. Fellows Hill — A Dynamic Woodland Route
Fellows Hill offers a constantly changing landscape as the trail climbs gently through diverse forest ecosystems. Starting near a crystal-clear stream, hikers pass several small cascades before reaching a hidden pond where great blue herons often fish in the shallows.
The path narrows as it ascends, winding between ancient hemlocks that provide cool shade even on summer’s hottest days. Birdwatchers flock here for glimpses of scarlet tanagers and wood thrushes, whose songs echo through the canopy.
When winter arrives, the trail transforms into a snowshoe paradise with spectacular valley views that remain hidden during leafy seasons.
5. Stewart State Forest — Remote and Rewarding
Stewart Forest feels wonderfully remote despite being just 90 minutes from Manhattan. The seven-mile network of trails traverses wetlands, hardwood forests, and meadows bursting with wildflowers – all without the guardrails and paved paths that define more commercial destinations.
Mountain bikers particularly treasure the rolling terrain, while birders maintain life lists that include more than 150 species spotted here. A Revolutionary War-era cemetery hidden among the trees adds historical intrigue to your woodland wanderings.
Fall brings spectacular color, but winter might be the most magical season when animal tracks in fresh snow tell stories of the forest’s nocturnal residents.
6. Shindagin Hollow — Fern-Filled Forest Sanctuary
Emerald carpets of ferns unfurl beneath towering white pines in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. This lesser-known gem near Ithaca features ravines that rival Watkins Glen’s beauty but see only a fraction of the visitors.
The forest’s signature loop trail descends into a cool hollow where several springs emerge from limestone outcroppings, creating miniature waterfalls that dance over moss-covered rocks. Black bears occasionally leave paw prints in muddy sections, though they typically avoid human encounters.
Mountain bikers consider Shindagin’s technical trails among the best in the Northeast, with challenging descents that contrast with the peaceful atmosphere hikers enjoy on separate pathways.
7. Hammond Hill — Wilderness Within Reach
Hammond Hill State Forest shelters a network of trails that thread through one of the largest unbroken forests in the Finger Lakes region. Ancient stone walls crisscross the woodland, remnants of farms abandoned generations ago when the soil proved too poor for agriculture.
The yellow-blazed trail offers the most scenic route, passing a series of vernal pools that burst with life each spring. Salamanders lay eggs in these temporary waters while wood frogs create a chorus that echoes through the trees.
Unlike Watkins Glen’s manufactured staircases, Hammond’s paths follow natural contours, creating an authentic wilderness experience despite being just minutes from civilization.
