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Polson Natural Area

Difficulty // Moderate
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing
Distance // 0.4 miles
Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Route Type // Out and Back
Estimated hiking time // 8 mins
Not open year-round.
Hunting allowed, use caution.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // red blaze, blue blaze, yellow blaze

This trail offers expansive views of the glacially-carved Ellis Hollow Valley. Trails at the Cornell Botanic Gardens Polson Natural Area ascend a through a forested ravine to the flattened hilltop on Snyder Hill. You will find a diversity of tree species here due to the variety of forest communities found in this natural area, including beech-maple, hemlock-northern hardwood, chestnut oak and mixed forests.

White hiking boot on a brown circular background, symbolizing hiking or walking trails.
Hiking
White standard bicycle on a light blue circular background, denoting cycling or bike trails.
Biking
White electric bicycle with a lightning bolt above it on a green circular background, representing e-bike use.
e-Biking
White outline of a horseshoe centered on a gold circular background, symbolizing horseback riding.
Horse
White icon of a person running with motion lines on a dark blue circular background, symbolizing physical activity or trail use.
running
White icon of a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on a brown circular background, representing paddling or kayaking.
Paddling
White crossed skis and ski poles on a light blue circular background, indicating winter sports or skiing.
Skiing
White outline of two crisscrossed snowshoes on a green circular background, representing snowshoeing activity.
Snowshoe
Distance // 0 Miles
Difficulty // Easy
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    Parking Locations

    Ellis Hollow Road
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    Bus Stops

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    Ellis Hollow Road
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    Current Trail Alerts

    Roy H. Park Preserve

    • The north entrance to the Roy H. Park Preserve and the boardwalk will be closed to the public from Monday, July 7, through September 2025 as work is underway to install an ADA-accessible path. The south entrance will remain open during this time. Thank you for your patience.

    Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area

    • The section of trail in Fall Creek Gorge west of the suspension bridge to Chi Psi is unstable and closed until further notice.

    Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

    • A portion of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail between Stewart Avenue and College Avenue is closed for construction and will reopen in spring, 2026. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

    Beebe Lake Natural Area

    • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.