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Old Erie Canal State Park

Description | Ratings

Trail description: The 36 mile towpath traces the Old Erie Canal, an abandonded section of canal between Syracuse and Rome. More than 360 miles of the Erie Canal towpath between Albany and Buffalo are under development for recreational use.
Access fee:
Towns along the trail: Syracuse (pop 160,000) and Rome (40,000), NY
Web site: Old Erie Canal State Park | NYS Canal System trails | Parks and Trails New York
Trail map: Detailed map and guidebook of the entire Erie Canal towpath is available from PTNY for $17.
Trail surface: Gravel or stone dust
Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, horseback riding, canoeing, snowmobiling
Facilities on the trail: Available at several towns along the trail.
Points of interest: Canal Center in Syracuse has interetive exhibits. Erie Canal Village, near Rome, is a reconstructed 19th century settlement
Lodging: Syracuse and Rome have hotels and other accommodations
Camping: Green Lakes State Park has 137 sites
Bike shops: Syracuse
Weather forecast: Syracuse
Tourism info: Syracuse CVB | Oneida County CVB
Getting to the trail: The trail can be accessed from Exits 33, 34, and 34A of the I-90.
Map of local region: Syracuse | Rome

Rate this trail

Number of ratings: 7
Average rating: 4.43  

7        

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: May, 2005
Sections that I biked: Dewitt to route 46
My favourite sections of the trail: all of it. Wonderful stonework. A great canal museum in Chittenango.
Best time to go: Spring
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: well marked with a variety of scenery!!!. You cross a town every few miles in case you need water or other supplies in an emergency.
What I disliked: bugs in early morning or dusk. Occasional big snakes on the trail
Comments: Watch out for the water snakes. They are not afraid and do not move. Snowmobiles in the winter can be a hazzard if you are walking or cc skiing.
Submitted by: PLK
from: Vernon Center NY
Date submitted: July 28, 2005

6          

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Oct, 2004
Sections that I biked: Dewitt to Chittanango & Green lakes state park
My favourite sections of the trail: all of it.
Best time to go: when ever you can!
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: The scenery, wildlife & pretty women joggers. (Be carfull not to fall into the canal)
What I disliked: bugs in the summer & the not so pretty woman joggers.
Comments: Green Lakes state park is packed with fun.
Submitted by: Glenn
from: Whitney Point
Date submitted: Jan 28, 2005

5          

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: Dewitt to Rome
My favourite sections of the trail: Area around Green Lakes State Park. Birds and Wildlife abound.
Best time to go: Spring Summer Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: The fact that I got my wife to ride it with our old schwinn tandem speaks volumes! An easy, well maintained, wonderfully scenic trail that calls you back again and again.
What I disliked: What's to dislike?
Comments: Birds and wildlife abound. Original stonework around every bend. Areally beautiful ride!
Submitted by: BAB
from: Auburn,NY
Date submitted: March 6, 2004

4          

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Sept, 2003
Sections that I biked: Mostly from the western terminus (Butternut - Dewitt) to Canastota.
My favourite sections of the trail: Near the Green Lakes State Park area where you can take a side trip into the park.
Best time to go: Autumn and Spring.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Fine wooded scenery all along the canal and the historical significance of the "Old Erie." Wildlife is often seen: deer, foxes, geese, etc.
What I disliked: Nothing
Comments: There are many places where you can view old locks and other original stonework. A great morning ride is from Syracuse to Chittenango (about 20 miles round trip) with a stop in Chitt. for breakfast.
Submitted by: JPH
from: Syracuse, NY
Date submitted: Oct 2, 2003

3          

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: ,
Sections that I biked:
My favourite sections of the trail: butternutt creek -greenlakes
Best time to go: spring-fall....some people use trail in winter for snow shoeing and snowmobiling
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: excellent scenery. wide trails flat even surface easy for all ages, great for biking walking dogs, live in the area and go walking every day
What I disliked: can't say anything bad
Comments: Green Lakes state park is a great place to stay. can ride from park right to the erie canal trail. Many resteraunts within 10 minutes driving time.
Submitted by: Pamela
from: East Syracuse, NY
Date submitted: July 31, 2003

2        

Trail name: Old Erie Canal State Park
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 2001
Sections that I biked:
My favourite sections of the trail:
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
Likes and dislikes: flat and scenic, don't do it if you want techical riding...but a great day trip, rome and back
Comments:
Submitted by: mb
from: mexico, NY
Date submitted: July 30, 2002

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