Catharine Valley Trail
c/o Watkins Glen State Park
P.O. Box 304
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
- General Information: (607) 535-4511
This year round recreation trail provides visitors the opportunity to experience the scenic beauty and historic charm of the glacially-carved valley south of Seneca Lake. Following abandoned railroad and canal towpath corridors, the trail passes through a variety of wildlife habitats. The compact stone-dust trail surface accommodates walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Currently six miles of the trail is available for use. When construction is complete the trail will be twelve miles long and extending from the Village of Watkins Glen to Horseheads.
Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).
Hours of Operation
- Open year round from dawn to dusk.
Maps
Attention Hunters: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (i.e., "bird flu") has recently been detected in New York State in a variety of waterfowl species. Although the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) has stated that avian influenza rarely spreads to humans, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is encouraging hunters to take extra precautions while processing harvested waterfowl. For more information on best practices for hunters to minimize risk of exposure, please read NYSDEC Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - What Hunters Need to Know (leaves State Parks website).
For general information on Avian Influenza, please see: Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine - Avian Influenza Fact Sheet (leaves State Parks website).
For additional updates on Avian Influenza, including current updates, see NYSDEC - Animal Diseases (leaves State Parks website) and NYSDOH - Questions and Answers about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (leaves State Parks website).
2024-25 Hunting Schedule for Finger Lakes State Parks & Historic Sites
On the Catharine Valley Trail, a one-mile section of the trail near the Village of Montour Falls will be closed for approximately four (4) weeks during regular gun season. Reference the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hunting and Trapping Guide for current dates and rules for regular gun season.
No hunting is allowed on the Catharine Valley Trail.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Catharine Valley Trail
Amenities Information
- Amenities
- Biking
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing