Home › New York › Buffalo › Amherst State Park
Amherst State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 584 Google reviews · Running trail in Buffalo, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Amherst State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Former historic convent serves as a small state park with jogging trails & guided nature walks.
What runners say about Amherst State Park
“You might need to deviate a little bit from the main road to explore raw walking paths with beautiful nature views.”
“The environment is calm, fresh and peaceful; a nice place to chill.”
“Great fishing spots and super dog friendly!”
Wonderful gem in the heart of Williamsville. Walk through the old apple orchard or make your own path thru the woods or creek walk, trails connect to Glen Park and falls. Dog friendly. Some trails are stroller friendly. Great place to reconnect with nature!
Beautiful area to just walk around, picturesque and has several benches in the shade to stop and relax
Can be crowded on a nice day and the parking is limited so that's the only con really of this park. It was nice, clean, and plenty of paths to explore while social distancing with friends. Definitely welcome if you're in the area and looking for some fresh air. Check out the swing too!
This is an underrated gem. Great for walking or riding bikes. I imagine it would be a nice place to splash in the creek too. Wish there was a real bathroom instead of a porta potty but no complaints otherwise.
Trail conditions & character
“You might need to deviate a little bit from the main road to explore raw walking paths with beautiful nature views.”
“been coming here for almost 18 years with my dog, Buddy :) it's his favorite place in the world ;) I'm shocked at the amount of people that come here now.”
“Can be crowded on a nice day and the parking is limited so that's the only con really of this park.”
“thankfully it is big enough if you want a little space :) tho, I don't like the new bright lights at night along the edge of the park.”
“The environment is calm, fresh and peaceful; a nice place to chill.”
“Small hills, lots of tree roots to navigate over.”
“Wish there was a real bathroom instead of a porta potty but no complaints otherwise.”
Plan your run at Amherst State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteamherststatepark.org
- Phone(716) 631-7000
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Buffalo
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Glen Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,830 reviews
Recreational park adjacent to Glen Falls offering duck ponds, fishing & nature walking paths.
Glen Falls
4.7 ★★★★★ 594 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly trails, picnic tables, and a waterfall, plus ducks and painted murals.
Ellicott Creek Trailway Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 108 reviews
Scenic spot with a paved path for jogging, biking and rollerblading along a creek, plus tennis courts.
Bassett Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 143 reviews
Park featuring an amphitheater and a playground alongside a pond.
Billy Wilson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 729 reviews
City park with a playground, zip line, picnic tables, soccer field, and nature trail.
Walton Woods Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 105 reviews
Park with paved trails, a playground and ponds teeming with wildlife.