Monkey Run Natural Area
Total distance: 10.03 miles
Difficulty level(s): easy, moderate, difficult
Cornell Botanic Gardens 550-acre Monkey Run Natural Area is a very popular hiking destination and is part of a long natural corridor protecting Fall Creek on its route to Cayuga Lake. Trails here, which connect with the Cayuga Trail, follow the creek from the rims of forested banks and at creek level through rich floodplain forest, seeps, and wet meadows. Breathtaking views are afforded from atop 100-foot bluffs, which are continually eroded by a meandering Fall Creek below.
Portions of this trail system are also included in the Cayuga Trail system.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 42.46319962
Longitude: -76.42720032
Parking Locations
Multiple parking options may be specific to certain trails within this site.
- Parking Lot : 31 Monkey Run Rd.
- Parking Lot : 119 Freese Rd.
- Parking lot : 1036 Dryden Rd.
- Parking Lot : 1711 Hanshaw Rd.
- Parking lot : 31 Monkey Run Rd.
Bus Stops
1062 Dryden Rd - Pineridge Apts
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Enter Apts parking lot, follow sidewalk of left (west) building; descend steps between buildings to the Dryden Rail Trail. To reach the Cayuga Trail, turn left, walk 300 feet - trailhead is on far right of wide cleared area.
Dryden Rd @ Mt Pleasant
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go northwest on Freese Rd 600 ft to bridge. Trailhead for Cayuga Trail going east into Monkey Run is just before bridge.
Dryden Rd @ Turkey Hill
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go north on Monkey Run Rd 1000 ft to parking area and trailheads for Cayuga Trail east and west.
Guthrie Ithaca
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go 1/4 mile south on Hanshaw Rd to trailhead at parking area.
Trail Attributes
- Good for Hiking
- Good for Running
- Good for Snowshoeing
- Scenic Vistas
- Unique Wildlife Viewing
More Info
Part of interconnected trail system: Yes
Trail Surface: Earth, Gravel/Stone Dust, earth
Trail Markers: orange blaze, none, yellow blaze, red blaze
This trail contains a loop.
Hunting is allowed on this trail - use caution.
This trail is open year round.
Visit the Trail Owners/Stewards
http://www.cornellbotanicgardens.org/our-gardens/natural-areas/monkey-run