HomeNew YorkOrchard Park › Chestnut Ridge Park

Chestnut Ridge Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,542 Google reviews · Running trail in Orchard Park, New York · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Chestnut Ridge 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.

Lit at nightScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

1,200-acre park known for scenic hilltop with city view & Eternal Flame Falls, a natural phenomenon.

What runners say about Chestnut Ridge Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,542 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“There are bathrooms all over, they are clean and accessible.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“Nowadays I go at a slower pace, but there's always an adventure to be had with all of the scenic views.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“, it’s an easy walk to get there but there are a lot of stairs and rocky slippery surfaces so wear the right shoes.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Make sure to see the eternal flame 🔥 Dog friendly, restrooms open during the warmer months and numerous shelters for a fantastic picnic in the summertime.”

This place has awesome hiking trails! If you are not much of a hiker, this place has more simple trails for everyone! I would recommend it for a nice day for 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It didn’t have many bugs during my experience but l would still recommend bug spray and water of course!

★★★★★ — Jude , Jul 2024

Chestnut Ridge is one of those places that brings back the fantastic memories of childhood. The toboggan chutes the casino hot cocoa and lugging that toboggan back up the hill beautiful place very clean very neat I highly recommend a visit here anytime we're in the area very peaceful and beautiful A Little bit of…

★★★★★ — Mark , May 2019

We love taking our dogs here to hike. There are some great trails although some can get a bit steep so they are not all senior dog friendly but most are. There are bathrooms all over, they are clean and accessible. There are numerous pavilions and places to pull off and park once inside.

★★★★★ — Brittany , Jul 2022

Stopped here to see the eternal flame 🔥 Absolutely loved it., it’s an easy walk to get there but there are a lot of stairs and rocky slippery surfaces so wear the right shoes. We visited on a July afternoon and the crowd was moderate. We got to enjoy some beautiful views and take great pictures. Definitely recommend 👍

★★★★★ — Monica , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,542 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“Nowadays I go at a slower pace, but there's always an adventure to be had with all of the scenic views.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 9 mentions

“There are some great trails although some can get a bit steep so they are not all senior dog friendly but most are.”

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🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“Make sure to see the eternal flame 🔥 Dog friendly, restrooms open during the warmer months and numerous shelters for a fantastic picnic in the summertime.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Make sure to see the eternal flame 🔥 Dog friendly, restrooms open during the warmer months and numerous shelters for a fantastic picnic in the summertime.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Be sure to mark your parking place because there are few signs directing you back to your car”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“But the addition of the new playground has truly taken this beautiful park to a completely new level.”

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💡 Lit for night running

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Chestnut Ridge Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitewww3.erie.gov
  • Phone+1 716-858-8355
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–9 pm
Tuesday 7 am–9 pm
Wednesday 7 am–9 pm
Thursday 7 am–9 pm
Friday 7 am–9 pm
Saturday 7 am–9 pm
Sunday 7 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Chestnut Ridge Park

6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127

Get directions

Running trails near Orchard Park

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Chestnut ridge trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

MixedScenic

under a mile away

Eternal Flame Falls

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,737 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Secluded waterfalls with a hiking trail & a natural gas spring that when ignited flames 4-8 inches.

under a mile away

Chestnut Ridge Park Eternal Flame Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 84 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

LitScenic

Stretching 6 miles, this park features a trail network and an eternal flame fueled by natural gas.

under a mile away

Yates Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 489 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

Scenic

Park with baseball diamonds, a beach, playground, and picnic tables, plus basketball and fishing.

3.0 miles away

Birdsong Park Nature Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 81 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Level paths and boardwalks winding through woods and wetlands, with views of ponds.

3.1 miles away

Birdsong Parklands

4.6 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

1 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded 1-mile nature trails with bridges and ponds, open for walking and cycling.

3.1 miles away

All running trails in Orchard Park, NY →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.