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Vestal Rail Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 128 Google reviews · Running trail in Vestal, New York · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
4 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Vestal Rail 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.

Paved4 miScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Easy, level trail for hikers, cyclists, runners and dog walkers.

What runners say about Vestal Rail Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (128 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“First time here, absolutely enjoyed it, clean and saw a little turtle among other wild critters.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Enjoy the beautiful sights and fresh air, meet other pets and even new people!”

🏃 great for running 2 mentions

“Great place for a walk, jog, or bike ride on a paved path, with little to no incline.”

First time here, absolutely enjoyed it, clean and saw a little turtle among other wild critters. Going to make this my walking spot.

★★★★★ — Amberlyn , Apr 2023

Great place. Trails are kept neat. New benches are nice for older folks like me. Needs another Subway.or Jersey Mike's.

★★★★★ — Bernard , Jul 2023

Doesn't get much easier to get some exercise in than at the rail trail. Nice flat, straight paved 2 mile path that starts away the coal house (where you can get coffee, smoothies and quick food) and ends away the Town Square Mall.

★★★★★ — Joshua , Dec 2018

Great place to walk (bike, or skate) 24/7 free of cars. Well maintained by Town of Vestal. Used by a diverse mix of area residents. Shared resources work. Makes me feel good about paying my town taxes.

★★★★★ — Ralph , Oct 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 128 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 8 mentions

“Great place to bike, walk your dog, skate, or run while running into lots of people you know.”

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Flat & fast 6 mentions

“Nice flat, straight paved 2 mile path that starts away the coal house (where you can get coffee, smoothies and quick food) and ends away the Town Square Mall.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“Nice flat, straight paved 2 mile path that starts away the coal house (where you can get coffee, smoothies and quick food) and ends away the Town Square Mall.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Enjoy the beautiful sights and fresh air, meet other pets and even new people!”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Bathrooms on site for those emergency moments and if you follow the trail off the beaten path you'll find a pond.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Parking and free bathrooms at both ends.”

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Plan your run at Vestal Rail Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitevestalny.gov
  • Phone(607) 206-3757
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 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 Vestal Rail Trail

196 Stage Rd #156, Vestal, NY 13850

Get directions

Running trails near Vestal

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

The Rail Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 68 reviews

Vestal, NY

PavedDog-friendly

Paved and blacktop trail for walking and running, plus kids' activities. Playground.

under a mile away

Grippen Community Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 125 reviews

Endicott, NY

Informal park featuring an indoor skate park, plus fishing and boating facilities.

1.4 miles away

West Endicott Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 245 reviews

Endicott, NY

Family park, popular with kids, featuring a carousel, playground, pool and picnic area.

1.4 miles away

Arnold Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 594 reviews

Vestal, NY

Shaded

Large park featuring ball fields & a sizable playground with a covered sandbox, plus nature trails.

1.4 miles away

Twin Orchard Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 22 reviews

Vestal, NY

1.6 miles away

Glendale Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 188 reviews

Endicott, NY

Paved

Picnic-friendly ball field for baseball with a playground and basketball court.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Vestal, 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.