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Roy H Park Preserve - North (Short) Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · Running trail in Freeville, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 20 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Roy H Park Preserve - North (Short) Trail'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.
Hiking and birding spot featuring a creek, woodlands and a boardwalk trail.
What runners say about Roy H Park Preserve - North (Short) Trail
“Nice easy walk on blue trail thru lovely woods along a steam to pavilion (a nice resting place) to great views down into the gorge of Six-Mile Creek, with small waterfalls.”
“Beautiful, peaceful hike through a small field and through the woods, leading up to the rim of the gorge overlooking 6 Mile Creek.”
“Nice easy walk on blue trail thru lovely woods along a steam to pavilion (a nice resting place) to great views down into the gorge of Six-Mile Creek, with small waterfalls.”
Some people there are so selfish and entitled that they refuse to keep their dogs on leashes and defend their irresponsible actions by suggesting their dogs are “nice.” The park itself has two nice trails that allow you to get up close to a beautiful creek with small waterfalls in a ravine.
Walked south trail with two friends yesterday 4/23/25. Nice easy walk on blue trail thru lovely woods along a steam to pavilion (a nice resting place) to great views down into the gorge of Six-Mile Creek, with small waterfalls. Very quiet, pleasant hike.
This is a very nice place to visit. The trails are well groomed. Parking is good as well. The end of the long trail terminates at six mile creek. You can walk right down to the creek, and it's beautiful. The short trail (which has its own separate parking area) has a boardwalk that runs through a wetland area.
There are two trails here. The one from the south entrance is flat and easy. The one at the north entrance is a bit longer and harder, going up about 300 feet in elevation. The birding is very good on both trails. I found a wide variety of birds including five kinds of warblers, hermit thrush, and indigo buntings.
Trail conditions & character
“If you like diversity, babbling streams with small waterfalls, beaver ponds and meadows, and open fields you can find them all, presented in unique beauty, at this preserve!”
“The short trail (which has its own separate parking area) has a boardwalk that runs through a wetland area.”
“Very nice trail - the south trail is a bit bigger but its parking lot is a bit smaller.”
“Nice, easy trail that takes you along some wetlands and also connects to Hammond Hill State Forest trails.”
“Beautiful, peaceful hike through a small field and through the woods, leading up to the rim of the gorge overlooking 6 Mile Creek.”
“To get to the boardwalk you must first go down a gravel path, over 200 feet.”
“The one from the south entrance is flat and easy.”
“Some people there are so selfish and entitled that they refuse to keep their dogs on leashes and defend their irresponsible actions by suggesting their dogs are “nice.”
“There is a very nice boardwalk but it is not wheelchair accessible.”
“Beautiful, peaceful hike through a small field and through the woods, leading up to the rim of the gorge overlooking 6 Mile Creek.”
Plan your run at Roy H Park Preserve - North (Short) Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance20 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefllt.org
- Phone+1 607-275-9487
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7 pm |
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