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Hammond Hill State Forest

Difficulty // Moderate
Activities // Hiking, Horseback, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 17.2 miles
Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 5 hrs 44 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting allowed, use caution.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // finger lakes trail blazes, yellow trail markers, red trail markers, green trail markers, snowmobile trail markers, blue trail markers

The Hammond Hill State Forest Multiple Use Trail System has been designed to offer family-based recreation for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-county skiing. A snowmobile trail and the Finger Lakes Hiking Trail also cross the forest. The 16 mile trail system is a cooperative effort between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests, the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club, the Cayuga Nature Center, the Friends of Hammond Hill and the town of Dryden. There is a short section of the trail system in the northwestern portion of the forest that is designated as an accessible trail for those with mobility impairments. One must have a DEC permit in order to access this trail with an ATV. Please refer to the DEC website for additional information on permitted recreational use on this forest. Also consider using the State Lands Interactive Mapper available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45415.html to view the current recreational opportunities on State Forests.

Portions of this trail system are also included in the Finger Lakes Trail system.

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

    Hammond Hill
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    Hammond Hill
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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 will be closed from June 10, 2025 to early September 2025. 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.

    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.