Clark Reservation State Park features include cliffs and rocky outcrops with views of Green Lake.  You'll find woods as well as meadow areas, a wetland and a glacial plunge basin lake (Green Lake).  The surface waters and bottom waters do not mix in this lake.  Guided nature walks leave from the Nature Center building, which also offers numerous exhibits. There are thirteen marked hiking trails to explore, including the Cliff Trail, which has numerous rocky outcrops that are at least 175 feet above the water.

We have included links of two suggested loop hikes for the park (see links above), however you can create your own adventure while visiting this unique state park located close to the city of Syracuse.  Look below for more info on each of the hiking trails, a couple of maps, a few pictures and a video of this great park.

Guide to the Hiking Trails at Clark Reservation State Park for ONLY $2.50 Created by CNY Hiking, this guide comes to you as a pdf file that you can either print out or send it to your smart phone or Kindle. You'll have maps & info on the trails at your finger tips. Use the Buy Now button below and we'll send you the pdf file via email usually within 24 hours of payment. Please note that this is not a day pass or parking pass, it is a pdf of a hiking guide that comes via email not regular mail!

Directions

Syracuse: I-481 south to Jamesville exit 2. Follow Jamesville Rd to NY 173. Take NY 173 west 1.25 miles to park entrance.
Buffalo-Rochester: I-90 east to exit 34A (I-481).
Utica-Albany: I-90 west to exit 34A (I-481). Continue with directions from Syracuse.

Pictures from Clark Reservation State Park

Trail intersections are well marked

Glacier Lake at Clark Reservation State Park

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Hiking Trails at Clark Reservation State Park

Big Buck Trail - This white blazed trail travels 0.3 miles from the Mildred Faust Trail to the Cliff Trail.  It is a pleasant woods walk on a wide trail.  The Dry Lake Trail ends along this trail.

Cliff Trail - This blue blazed trail travels 0.6 miles from the main parking area, past the rest rooms along the rim of Glacier Lake to a nice view at the power lines.  There a few rock scrambles and numerous ledge overlooks with views of the lake as well as the surrounding area.  Extra care should be taken as the trail travels next to cliffs.

Cliff Trail Extension - This is a 500 foot continuation of the Cliff Trail that follows the fence along the rim from the rest rooms to the observation pavilion and on to the stairs of the Lake Trail.

Dry Lake Trail - This red blazed trail travels 0.2 miles from the Mildred Faust Trail to the Big Buck Trail.  The trail is above Dry Lake and has access to the Mildred Faust Woodland Trail.

Lake Trail - This aqua/green blazed trail travels 0.6 miles from the observation pavilion, down the stairs and follows the west/north shore of Glacier Lake as it heads clockwise around the lake.  After the junction with the Swamp Trail, the trail then ascends and meets the Cliff Trail near the power lines (which is not shown on the map below).  This trail tends to be flooded in spots and can require serious scrambling to keep your feet dry.

Swamp Trail - This 0.3 mile, aqua/green blazed trail travels on the southern shore of Glacier Lake and is normally flooded/impassable.  The trail starts to the right at the bottom of the stairs.  This trail also requires a crossing of the lake outlet (no bridge).

Long Trail - This red blazed trail travels 0.5 miles from the Mildred Faust Trail to the Cliff Trail. 

Long Trail Extension - This red blazed trail is a 0.3 mile extension of the main Long Trail that leads to the state park boundary.  This trail passes an old stone wall.

Lower Basin Trail - This short 0.1 mile blue blazed trail travels from the end of the Cliff Trail at the power lines to the Saddle Back Trail.

Mildred Faust Trail - This popular green blazed trail follows a service road and then loops around in the woods. At 0.7 miles long, it is the parks longest trail.  The trail is named after a famous local botanist and a trustee of the Council of Park Friends based in this state park. 

Mildred Faust Woodland Trail - This 0.2 mile green blazed trail passes by Dry Lake and hikers can view the waterfalls from above the trail.

Pulpit Rock Trail - This yellow blazed 0.6 mile trail travels over Pulpit Rock, a steep climb/descent along the trail.

Saddle Back Trail - This 0.2 mile red blazed trail connects the Pulpit Rock Trail with the Cliff Trail.

Table Rock Trail - This 0.1 mile yellow blazed trail connects the Woodland Trail with the Cliff Trail. The trail travels over bedrock as well as over glacial cracks.  This trail has a nice view above Dry Lake.

Two "unauthorized" trails that are not on the official state park map below.

Cliffside Trail - This unauthorized herd path leads into POSTED state park land off the Mildred Faust Trail and leads over cracked rocks and a view over the cliffs above a trailer park.

Quarry Loop Trail - This unauthorized herd path leads past the cliffs above the trailer park, leaves state park land and enters posted land at the edge of a deep quarry.  The trail starts off the Mildred Faust Trail and one can loop back to the Mildred Faust Trail, creating a 0.6 mile loop off the trail.