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Thousand Acre Swamp
4.5 ★★★★★ 97 Google reviews · Running trail in Penfield, New York · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Thousand Acre Swamp'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.
Wildlife, insect; and serpent-heavy park, featuring hiking paths and boardwalks.
What runners say about Thousand Acre Swamp
“A well-maintained park with easy terrain.”
“Late october and still a bit warm out but the leaves were all changing and made this park look beautiful.”
“Fairly easy hike, boardwalks in various states of bing repaired, but not hindering our hike.”
Great trail! Lots of different things to see. They ask you not to bring your dog, but I brought mine because I didn't know. Also recommend checking for ticks and maybe not bringing them because of the bug situation. They were really bad a couple weeks ago. Other than that, would go back!
Neat hike and sights! Wasn’t prepared for how bad the bugs were…but it is a swamp after all!
I love this little hike! It's shady and flat and has so much to look at. My favorite was all the frogs! I slowed my walk so I didn't step on them because they hop of of the way at the last minute! We also saw chipmunks and birds. And more frogs in the swamp!!!!! They are hidden up to their eyes in the water.
Well-maintained trail. Dogs are requested not to enter this nature preserve because there are many frogs and non-venomous snakes under protection. Insect repellent or skin coverage is highly recommended
Trail conditions & character
“Late october and still a bit warm out but the leaves were all changing and made this park look beautiful.”
“Dogs are requested not to enter this nature preserve because there are many frogs and non-venomous snakes under protection.”
“Accessibility-the trail is root lined and has boardwalks and wire mesh without ramps, I would not recommend this for people with mobility issues or mobility aids.”
“Fairly easy flat walk through to boardwalk area, but uneven an many roots to trip on in wooded area to the north side.”
“Fairly easy flat walk through to boardwalk area, but uneven an many roots to trip on in wooded area to the north side.”
“Fairly easy flat walk through to boardwalk area, but uneven an many roots to trip on in wooded area to the north side.”
“It is a narrow road that seemingly leads nowhere, if you keep down this road it does open up to a small parking area that has a portable toilet facility.”
“It is a narrow road that seemingly leads nowhere, if you keep down this road it does open up to a small parking area that has a portable toilet facility.”
Plan your run at Thousand Acre Swamp
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenature.org
- Phone+1 212-997-1880
- 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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