Trail Alerts // Deer hunting season is open in Tompkins County. Wear blaze orange in areas where hunting is allowed.
Check for the latest trail alerts before you go. See All Trail Alerts

Dotson Park

Difficulty // Easy
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 1.7 miles
Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Dog-friendly (on leash), Bus Stop Nearby
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 34 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // green blaze, purple blaze, red blaze, yellow blaze

All trails at Dotson Park are created and maintained by volunteers. There are currently over one mile of trails around the perimeter of the disc golf course and through the woods and wetlands. Look for markers at each trail head by the parking areas. Enjoy Danby’s Disc Golf course! Each hole has 2 tees (one long and one short) to support different skill levels and to add variety. The course is a work in progress, created and maintained by a small core of volunteers. Efforts are underway to improve tee locations, add signage and expand to a full 18 holes, but the course is ready to play now. Maps and score cards are available in the mailbox near the first tee.

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

    Parking Locations

    Dotson Park
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Danby Town Hall Park & Ride - Get Directions

      Park is on east side of Rt 96B

    Dotson Park
    Get Directions

    • Danby Town Hall Park & Ride - Get Directions

      Park is on east side of Rt 96B

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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.