Great Bear Recreation Area is located off County Route 57 between Phoenix and Fulton, NY.  This unique area is owned by the City of Fulton and the Town of Volney.  There are numerous miles of well maintained trails used by hikers, mountain bikers as well as cross country skiers. 

You'll find a lot more information on this great place from the Great Bear Website.  If your unsure of what to hike, we'd suggest the Yellow Loop.  This loop follows yellow plastic trail markers on a pleasant 2.3 mile (we gps'd it at 2.7 miles) hike through the property.  This hike takes you to an old lock along the Oswego River.  You'll hike briefly along the old towpath and to the perfect picnic spot with a bench on the banks of the river (see pic above).

Bridge over small stream along the Yellow Trail

A small parking area is off County Route 57, across the junction of Great Bear Road.  A gate allows the public to enter the property.  There are no signs off the road to mark the parking area.  Look below for a video of the Yellow Loop hike in Great Bear Recreation Area as well as a trail map.

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