HomeNew YorkHopewell Junction › Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · Running trail in Hopewell Junction, New York · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Three Lakes Trail Trailhead'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.

Natural surfaceLoopOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

What runners say about Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (52 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful area that the wife and I were very happy to discover.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Very calming and Peaceful ✌️ There were a group of people eating and they had a fire going at the shelter/Pavillion.”

Have been coming to this trail for almost 10 years now. Perfect for beginners or someone just trying to go on a walk and get away from the city. Not too much elevation and clearly marked trail. A couple of bodies of waters to stop and relax as well. Can do out and back or a loop if you want.

★★★★★ — Minhal , Nov 2023

Three Lakes Trail is a relatively flat trail that goes along a creek and marshy areas. You can make a loop with the AT if you want to return to 301, exiting a bit further west.

★★★★★ — Smalls , May 2019

Great trail at Fahnstalk . At around the halfway point you pick up the Appalachian Trail and continue on that. Both blue markers and white AT trail markers are easily visible and frequent making trail navigation easy. It's a moderate trail on the difficulty scale. Rocky areas and a little over 1000ft.

★★★★☆ — Danimalous , Oct 2021

Beautiful hike that passes three lakes as well as an old mine. The hike is about 5.8 miles but there is a shorter hike for 3 miles.

★★★★☆ — Jon , Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 52 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 9 mentions

“The views aren't overly breathtaking but there are some nice view spots here and there.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 9 mentions

“Dogs must be leashed and no motor vehicles are permitted on the trails.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“You can make a loop with the AT if you want to return to 301, exiting a bit further west.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“You gotta park in the small lot by Canopus Lake and cross Route 301 to enter the trailhead, so be careful!”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Very calming and Peaceful ✌️ There were a group of people eating and they had a fire going at the shelter/Pavillion.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The bugs are bugging; muddy at some areas.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Three Lakes Trail is a relatively flat trail that goes along a creek and marshy areas.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Both blue markers and white AT trail markers are easily visible and frequent making trail navigation easy.”

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Plan your run at Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

1072 Cold Spring Turnpike, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Get directions

Running trails near Hopewell Junction

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

Fahnestock State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 994 reviews

Carmel Hamlet, NY

Natural surfaceScenic

Public park with a swimming beach, plus campsites, hiking, cross-country skiing trails & more.

under a mile away

Pelton Pond - Fahnestock State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Hopewell Junction, NY

LoopScenic

Calm pond with short trails and picnic tables; a great spot for barbecues.

under a mile away

1.3 miles away

Appalachian Trail at Miller Hill Rd & Taconic State Pkwy, NY

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Hopewell Junction, NY

4.6 miles away

Granite Mountain Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

Putnam Valley, NY

ScenicDog-friendly

5.3 miles away

Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 195 reviews

Carmel Hamlet, NY

Natural surfaceScenic

Easy and difficult trails for hiking (or trail running) through the woods, leading to a fire tower.

5.8 miles away

All running trails in Hopewell Junction, 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.