Summer Hikes
Two Rivers State Park
Waverly
Two Rivers State Park has miles of easy to moderate trails through beautiful woods, across creeks, along a reservoir and through hilltop fields with great views of “The Valley,” an area that spans the border of NYS and PA. The trails are currently being remarked and there isn’t an updated map yet, so we suggest sticking to the red, yellow and blue trails if you go out this summer.
Logan Hill
Candor
Logan Hill Nature Preserve is a Finger Lakes Land Trust Property and has 2.5 miles of hiking trails through woods and elevated wetlands with stunning views of meadows, ponds, forests, and hillsides. This is a great hike for kids! Learn more and download a trail map here.
Oakley Corners
Owego
Oakley Corners State Forest has a variety of trails for all ages and experience. For easier, shorter trails, stick to the South trails. For more of a challenge, head to the North side. Trails are well maintained a favorite of local trail runners. For more info and a map, click here.
Shindagin Hollow
Candor
Shindagin Hollow State Forest has several well-maintained hiking trails, including a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, and is one of the best spots for mountain biking in the Finger Lakes. If you prefer to stick to the road for walking or biking, Braley Hill Road goes through the middle of the trails and has parking areas. For more info, go to the NYS DEC website or click here for a trail map.
Wildwood Preserve
Waverly
Wildwood Nature Preserve is one of the conservation areas managed by the Carantouan Greenway. Hikers will enjoy a moderate hike along a pond, wetlands, upland woods and even an apple orchard. For more information, go to the Carnatouan Greenway website.
Kid Hikes
Waterman Center
Apalachin
Waterman Conservation and Education Center has miles of on-site trails that follow gorges and cross creeks. It’s great for kids because they are well-maintained, easy to hike and not too long. There’s even a Children’s Trail! Stop into the Interpretive Building to learn more about local wildlife and meet their resident turtles! For more info and maps, visit Waterman’s website.
Brick Pond
Owego
Brick Pond is another one of the Waterman Conservation properties and as a wetland, it’s a great place to see wildlife for little ones. Look up and you may spot a Heron or Bald Eagle. Look to the water for ducks and turtles. There’s even a Beaver dam! Keep an eye out for butterflies and dragonflies as you hike the short trails around the pond. More information and a map can be found on Waterman’s website.
Sycamore Trails
Newark Valley
Kids will love the Sycamore Trails at Bement-Billings Farmstead. Grab a map before you cross the bridge and let your child be the navigator. The trails are easy and short, but a fun hike for all ages. Click here for a trail map.
Forbidden Path
Waverly
Unlock your child’s imagination as you take this easy and quick hike that ends at the Carantouan Spring, a former water source for the Andaste Native Americans and their successors from Prehistoric time. Now, it’s a pleasant spring stocked with goldfish and a treat for adults and kids alike. For more information, visit the Carantouan Greenway’s website.
Evergreen Cemetery
Owego
A cemetery may not seem like a kid-friendly place, but Evergreen offers an opportunity to teach children about local history while walking under huge pine trees through the terraced and landscaped area. Visit the Evergreen Cemetery virtual tour on your phone and work with your kids to hunt for gravestones of notable Tioga County residents while learning about their lives. You can find the Sa-Sa-Na Loft monument at the top of the cemetery to see a panoramic view of the Village of Owego and the Susquehanna River. Learn more about Evergreen Cemetery here.