This section of the North Country Trail starts just east of Sugar Hill State Forest off of Van Zandt Hollow Road.  Although most of this section is in Watkins Glen State Park, the start of the section is on private property. This section of trail follows Glen Creek and also crosses Townsend Creek. The trail continues into the small city of Watkins Glen. The NCT coincides with the white blazed Finger Lakes Trail along this stretch of trail.

The section on private property is CLOSED during hunting season from Oct 1 - Jan 1. Please respect the landowner rights by staying off the trail during these dates and when on private property, stay on the trail. There is a blue blazed bypass along Van Zandt Hollow Rd, Townsend Rd and a park service road that you can follow during hunting season. It is also recommended to use the bypass during high water times due to the crossing of Townsend Creek.  This creek can be dangerous and impassable when water is high. This section is one of the best sections of the North Country Trail.  It is a favorite for many hikers.  The trail loses 840 feet in elevation in this section.

Camping is not allowed along the trail in Watkins Glen State Park. The park campground is open from mid May to mid October. Through hikers can also find lodging/food/supplies in Watkins Glen. Toward the end of this section you will pass a Wal-Mart Super Center. Look below for a few pictures, a video, trail map and detailed description of this section of trail. 

Punchbowl Dam

Waterfall along the trail

Mileage	Elevation	Trail Description
0.0	1295 feet	Trail turns off VanZandt Hollow Road.  NOTE:  This section of trail is CLOSED for hunting from Oct 1 - Jan 1 up to the state park boundary.  See above for high water warning.
0.1	1284 feet	Cross pipeline.  This area had major construction in 2008 on the pipeline.
0.6	1185 feet	Enter Watkins Glen State Park.
1.1	1087 feet	Cross Townsend Creek.  This area is often flooded & washed out.
1.5	1123 feet	Cross park access road to Hidden Valley Camp.  Blue blazed bypass comes in from the right.
2.5	1035 feet	Turn right onto Whites Hollow Road.  Parking.
2.6	1070 feet	Trail turns left on old park road.  Soon pass gate.  Parking.
2.9	1030 feet	Trail leaves old road on left.  Views of gorge below begins.  Pass under power lines.
3.0	1011 feet	Waterfall below.
3.2	967 feet	Trail travels by an old picnic shelter with a grand fireplace.  Punch Bowl Lake is on your left.
3.4	919 feet	Dam of Punch Bowl Lake.  Waterfall.
3.8	1006 feet	Pass under railroad tracks.  Stay off railroad.
4.2	914 feet	Access to the park's Gorge Trail is on your left.  Soon pass an old lean to (no camping) on your right.
4.5	866 feet	Side trail on right leads to South Rim Picnic Area & park campground.  Descend steeply.
4.6	742 feet	Passing through an old picnic area.
4.7	699 feet	Stone display on left.  Junction of park trails.  Suspension bridge to left.  South Pavilion is to your right.  Pond.
5.0	524 feet	Turn left on NY 329.
5.1	460 feet	Turn left on NY 14.  On your left is the park main entrance.  Turn right on 10th St.
5.4	459 feet	Turn left on Magee Street.
5.8	449 feet	Turn right on NY 414.
5.9	449 feet	Walmart Super Center & fast food on your right.
6.0	443 feet	Cross Barge Canal bridge, then trail turns left off road and enter Clute Park.
6.4	448 feet	Trail leaves park and reaches NY 414.  End of this section.

click on the map above for a larger map of this section of the FLT/NCT

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