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Snowflake Brown

Winter Wanderings

When the snow falls, Ithaca’s trails don’t go quiet—they sparkle with new possibilities.

Strap on your cross-country skis at Hammond Hill State Forest, where miles of groomed trails wind through peaceful, snow-dusted woods. It’s a local favorite for winter adventure, with routes for beginners and seasoned skiers alike.

Looking for something a little more off the beaten path? Try the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve, where open meadows and gentle hills create a serene winter backdrop for hiking, snowshoeing, or quiet exploration.

For a shorter stroll, head to Buttermilk Falls State Park and follow the Larch Meadow Trail—a year-round loop that winds through fields and forest, beautiful even when the falls are frozen in time.

Bundle up, breathe deep, and let winter show you another side of Ithaca’s wild beauty.

Snow-covered path winding through dense forest of tall trees with branches covered in fresh snow.
17.2
Miles

Hammond Hill State Forest

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Calm pond reflecting trees and a partly cloudy sky, bordered by tall grass with yellow goldenrod and purple asters in the foreground.
3.5
Miles

Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Lakes visible, Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
A calm pool at the base of a rocky slope, bordered by dense green trees and stone walls, beneath a partly cloudy sky.
5.9
Miles

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Difficulty
Difficult
Features
Lakes visible, Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash)

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 will be closed until mid- to late-October 2025. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

Buttermilk Falls State Park

  • The Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park will be closed, weekdays (Monday thru Friday) beginning Tuesday October 14th. This closure will allow for the installation of several stone staircases and the repair of numerous stone walls, steps and other features of the trail. State Parks Trails and Masonry professionals will be able to complete these upgrades during the week and will ensure that the trails are accessible open and safe on Saturdays and Sundays.

Beebe Lake Natural Area

  • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.

Black Diamond Trail

  • Starting September 2, 2025 park staff will be performing trail maintenance on the Black Diamond Trail between Perry City Road and Garrett Road. Sections of the trail will be intermittently closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Please use alternate routes during that time. The work is expected to last several weeks.