Old Erie Canal State Historic Park

Old Erie Canal State Historic Park is a 36-mile stretch of the original Erie Canal between DeWitt and Rome, New York, and it runs right past the north edge of Green Lakes State Park. NYS Parks says the National Park Service has designated it a National Recreation Trail. The flat towpath is open sunrise to sunset year round for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and the canal itself for canoeing and fishing; in winter NYS Parks lists snowmobiling.

What It Is

NYS Parks describes the park as a 36-mile stretch of the 363-mile Old Erie Canal, running from DeWitt to Rome. The terrain is woodland and wetland, with the old towpath running beside the canal.

Getting On From Green Lakes

On the Green Lakes trail map, the Old Erie Canal towpath runs along the park's north side, across Route 290 from the main entrance, past Manlius Center and Limestone Creek. The Old Erie Canal Connector (0.6 mile, foot only, brown) links the park's trails to the towpath. You can walk or bike the towpath in either direction from there.

What You Can Do

NYS Parks lists:

• Hiking and walking on the flat towpath
• Bicycling
• Horseback riding
• Canoeing on the canal
• Fishing
• Picnicking
• Snowmobiling in winter

That makes the canal a good alternative to Green Lakes for two things the park itself doesn't allow: launching your own canoe, and biking beside water. Bikes are banned on the Green Lakes lake trail.

Picnic Shelters

Reservable picnic shelters are at the Cedar Bay Picnic Areas at the DeWitt end, run under an agreement with the Town of DeWitt. Call (315) 446-9250.

Hours

Sunrise to sunset, year round.

Good For

• Long, flat bike rides east of Syracuse.
• Canoeists who can't launch at Green Lakes.
• A winter walk when the Green Lakes trails are snowy.

Maybe Skip If

• You want hills or views. Head back into Green Lakes or to Chittenango Falls.