Trail Alerts // Check for the latest trail alerts before you go. See All Trail Alerts

Sapsucker Woods

Difficulty // Easy
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 3.0 miles
Features // Lakes visible, Unique wildlife viewing
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 1 hr
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // none

Hike the scenic trails of Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary and discover Ithaca’s natural beauty. Spot rare birds, enjoy peaceful wooded paths, and connect with nature on every step.

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

    Lab or Ornithology Sapsucker woods South Lot
    Get Directions

    Lab or Ornthology – Sapsucker Woods
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Lab of Ornithology - Get Directions

      Multiple trails – check map for locations

    • Winston Court Apts - Get Directions

      Go 100 ft east on Winston Ct, then turn left on Salem Dr; continue 600 ft and turn left on Winston Rd; go 50 ft and find footpath on right leading to gated entrance. (Close deer-fence gate behind you.)

    Lab or Ornithology Sapsucker woods South Lot
    Get Directions

    Lab or Ornthology – Sapsucker Woods
    Get Directions

    • Lab of Ornithology - Get Directions

      Multiple trails – check map for locations

    • Winston Court Apts - Get Directions

      Go 100 ft east on Winston Ct, then turn left on Salem Dr; continue 600 ft and turn left on Winston Rd; go 50 ft and find footpath on right leading to gated entrance. (Close deer-fence gate behind you.)

    Individual Trails Included in Sapsucker Woods

    Calm pond reflecting orange and yellow autumn trees, partly cloudy sky, tall grasses, and bare tree trunks along the shore.
    0.71
    Miles

    Sapsucker Woods – East Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Lakes visible
    Calm pond reflecting colorful autumn trees, grasses at the edge, and bare trunks in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
    0.52
    Miles

    Sapsucker Woods – Hoyt-Pileated Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Unique wildlife viewing
    Calm pond reflecting bare trees and tall grasses, with autumn forest and partly cloudy sky in the background.
    0.44
    Miles

    Sapsucker Woods – Severingus Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Unique wildlife viewing
    Calm pond reflecting autumn trees with red, orange, and yellow leaves; tall grasses and bare branches in the foreground; partly cloudy sky above.
    0.42
    Miles

    Sapsucker Woods – West Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Unique wildlife viewing
    Calm pond reflecting clouds and blue sky, bordered by autumn trees with orange and yellow leaves; tall grasses in the foreground and several bare tree trunks scattered throughout.
    0.95
    Miles

    Sapsucker Woods – Wilson Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Lakes visible, Unique wildlife viewing

    Trails. Views. Adventure. Ithaca.

    Explore Our Trails

    Report a Problem

    Send Us Your Photos

    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.