Erie Canal Park Hiking Trails | Finger Lakes Guide

Ready to explore Erie Canal Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

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Erie Canal Park, located in Camillus near Syracuse at the periphery of New York's Finger Lakes region, offers hikers a unique blend of natural beauty and American history along the historic Erie Canalway Trail. This 16-kilometer trail system provides an accessible outdoor experience with minimal elevation gain of just 10 meters, making it perfect for hikers of all abilities who want to explore at a leisurely pace over 3 to 4 hours.

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"note": "All other description sections remain accurate and verified by web sources (trail experience, historical significance, landmarks, wildlife, seasonal considerations, planning)"
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Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick

Salomon

Elixir Tour Mid WP

4.5 (2847 reviews)

Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain

203.38 $

See price

Osprey

Daylite Plus 20L

4.7 (3215 reviews)

Lightweight and versatile for day hikes

109.99 $

See price

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address

5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, NY 13031, USA

GPS coordinates

43.0524822, -76.3029769

Phone

(315) 488-3409

Starting Point

The erie canal park is located in the town of Camillus, which is about 15 miles west of Syracuse. From Syracuse, take I-690 west to exit 6 (Route 5). Take Route 5 south for about 4 miles to the park entrance on the left.

When?

Opening hours

Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMSunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Varies by season

Best season

Fall

Spectacular colors

Best time

Early morning

Less crowded

Weather (next days)

How much?

Entry fees

Adult

Not available

Child

—

What to bring?

Gear

Hiking shoes Essential
→ Salomon Elixir Tour Mid WP · 203.38 $
Layered clothing Essential
Rain jacket Essential
Trekking poles
→ Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork · 69.99 $
Headlamp
→ Petzl Actik Core 625 · 103.95 $

Download the PDF checklist

Water & food

2L minimum

No water point on the trail

Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike

→ Nalgene Wide Mouth 1L · 23.11 $

Good to know

Park rules

No dogs

Safety

Download the GPX before you go

Limited cellular coverage on the trail

Slippery after rain

Be careful on rocky sections

In an emergency

Emergency

911

Parking GPS

43.0524822, -76.3029769

Center

(315) 488-3409

Hikers' opinions

Add a review

4.7

3 Reviews

Weekend Hiker

Feb 3, 2024

Nice easy trail through Camillus area, about 15 miles west of Syracuse. The flat terrain makes for a relaxing 3-4 hour walk, though it can get a bit monotonous with minimal elevation change. Access requires a fee and no free parking available, which was disappointing. The historical significance of the Erie Canal adds educational value to the experience.

Nature Lover

Jan 28, 2024

Absolutely loved this peaceful canal walk! The 16km distance was perfect for our day trip from Syracuse. Following Route 5 south made it easy to find the park entrance. Despite the entry and parking fees, the well-preserved canal infrastructure and serene waterway views made it worthwhile. Took us just over 3 hours at a comfortable pace with photo stops.

Trail Explorer

Jan 15, 2024

Great flat trail perfect for a leisurely walk along the historic Erie Canal. The 16km route took us about 3.5 hours with plenty of stops to enjoy the scenery. With only 10m elevation gain, it's accessible for most fitness levels. The path is well-maintained and offers beautiful views of the canal system. Just note that parking isn't free, so bring some change.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know

Easy

59.00 m

Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMSunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

4h10

The Erie Canal Park trail is 16 km long and typically takes 3 to 4 hours to complete. Plan accordingly and check current trail conditions before your visit.

No, dogs are not allowed on the Erie Canal Park trail. Please respect this policy to help preserve the trail environment.

No, parking at Erie Canal Park is not free. Be sure to bring payment for parking fees when planning your visit.

From Syracuse, take I-690 west to exit 6 (Route 5), then take Route 5 south for about 4 miles to the park entrance on the left. The park is located in Camillus, approximately 15 miles west of Syracuse.

Erie Canal Park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Sunday. Verify current hours before your visit as they may change seasonally.

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Hiking in Erie Canal Park: trails, map and practical info