Trail Alerts // Deer hunting season is open in Tompkins County. Wear blaze orange in areas where hunting is allowed.
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Palmer Woods Natural Area

Difficulty // Easy, Moderate
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing
Distance // 1.1 miles
Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash), Bus Stop Nearby
Route Type // Out and Back
Estimated hiking time // 22 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // none, red blaze

This trail provides an easy-to-access scenic escape in Cornell’s North Campus. Much of Cornell Botanic Gardens Palmer Woods Natural Area is a mature forest, dominated by large oaks. Trails here also cross strips of young forest that were once fairways of Cornell’s Robert Trent Jones golf course and open meadow. It will take about an hour to explore the network of trails in this area, which is known to be a good bird watching site.

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
    View Map

    Parking Locations

    A Lot (see note)
    Get Directions

    Please review information on the Cornell University parking website to determine when visitor parking is allowed in A Lot.

    Bus Stops

    • Pleasant Grove @ Jessup - Get Directions

      Go 1/4 mile north on Pleasant Grove Rd to trailhead on west (left) side. Alternatively, go 1/4 mile to trailhead in NW corner of Parking Lot A.

    • A Lot - Get Directions
    • Tripphammer Road @ Oak Hill Road - Get Directions

    A Lot (see note)
    Get Directions

    Please review information on the Cornell University parking website to determine when visitor parking is allowed in A Lot.

    • Pleasant Grove @ Jessup - Get Directions

      Go 1/4 mile north on Pleasant Grove Rd to trailhead on west (left) side. Alternatively, go 1/4 mile to trailhead in NW corner of Parking Lot A.

    • A Lot - Get Directions
    • Tripphammer Road @ Oak Hill Road - Get Directions

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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.

    Black Diamond Trail