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Take Rt. 414 north from Watkins Glen for 9 miles, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest. Continue .5 mile to Schuyler CR 2 then . . . Blueberry Camground: Turn right and follow CR 2 east for 4.0 miles to the Blueberry Patch Campground and parking area. Backbone Camground: Travel for 3.5 miles east. Backbone Campground and parking area is on the left, opposite the intersection with Burnt Hill Road.
General Description: The ridge tops and open pastures of New York State's only National Forest with roadways on one mile square grids and free-ranging cattle are reminiscent of the wild west. The Finger Lake National Forest's diverse habitat provides a home for a variety of wildlife. Ring-necked pheasant, Eastern Meadlowlarks and American woodcock can be heard and spotted in the park's open areas and pastures. Signs of an active beaver population can be seen in a number of ponds that dot the forest. Deer, free-ranging cattle, wild turkey, skunk and red fox can be observed along the park's network of roadways. If you are camping here, listen for the calls of the screech, barred and great horned owls in the evening. The area is also well known for its varied species of raptors. A popular outdoor recreation destination, The Finger Lakes National Forest trail system comprises over 30 miles of multi-use trails open to hikers, cross-country skiers, equestrians and snowmobilers. There are three developed campgrounds. Located next to the Blueberry Patch Campground is a five-acre high and low bush blueberry patch managed by the forest. You can pick bushels of blueberries in season .Yum.
The Trails: Mountain bikes are permitted on the No-Tan-Takto Trail, Burnt Hill Trail, Backbone Trail and the northern end of the Interloken Trail. These 13 miles of interconnected trails provide opportunities for a variety of ride lengths and loop options. Mountain bikers can also choose to extend their ride by riding on the scenic town and county roads that crisscross the area. No motorized vehicles permitted except snowmobiles when conditions allow. Trails are closed to horse and mountain bike users from March 15th thru May 1st due to muddy conditions. Please close any gates behind you and carry out what you carry in.
No-Tan-Takto Trail: 4.5 miles one way. Green paint blazes. Trailhead: Access from the Blueberry Patch Campground via the Backbone Trail, from the Backbone Horse Campground or from the parking area on Parmenter Road. By doing an out and back on No-Tan-Takto trail and combining the 2 mile Northern Interloken Loop, you can make this an 11 mile ride. The terrain is relatively flat and travels through open pastureland. There are beautiful vistas to the east and west and nice lake views. From the Backbone Campground the trail heads north into Seneca County, crosses the Interloken Trail at Seneca Road and follows Townsend Road east for about 0.5 miles before heading north to the Parmenter Road parking area.
Interloken Trail: 12 miles one way (mountain bikes allowed only on a 2 mile stretch). Orange paint blazes. Trailhead: Access from the Blueberry Patch Campground via the Backbone Trail and head north on the No-Tan-Takto Trail, or from the parking area on Parmenter Road. Mountain bikes and horses are permitted only on the north end of the trail between Seneca and Parmenter Roads. In this area, the trail is flanked by tall conifers and is generally flatter and more open than the southern section. It passes through pastures and alongside numerous swamps. The Interloken Trail is a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail system (FLT). It bisects the Forest north to south. Highlights include lovely views of Seneca Lake. Can be wet fall and spring. During the winter months, this is a popular Nordic cross country ski route.
Backbone Trail: 5.5 miles one way Trailhead: Backbone Horse Campground. From the north, the trail can be accessed at the corner of Ball Diamond Road and Wardner Corner Road or at the Foster Pond parking lot. Travels through forest, fields and shrub land on a combination of dirt and grassy doubletrack trails and long abandoned roads. Many old homestead sites, cellar holes, stone walls, and other remnants mostly from post-revolutionary war settlements and farms can be seen along this trail and throughout the forest. The trail intersects the Interloken and Burnt Hill Trails to the south and the No-Tan-Takto trail to the north.
Burnt Hill Trail: 2.5 miles one way Trailhead: View Point parking area (just east of the Blueberry Patch Campground). The trail is located on the south side of the road. Natural surface trail that offers many beautiful vistas along it's path. Located at the southern end of the Forest, extending south from Picnic Area Road, it crosses shrub lands, open fields and pastures. The trail intersects the Interloken Trail as well as the Backbone Trail providing an opportunity for a nice loop ride. In the fall, these open areas are dusted with a beautiful palette of russett, burnt siennas, oranges and reds.
Historical Note: Camp Fossenvue & "Queen’s Castle" Listed on the State Register of Historic Places in 1999. It became part of the Hector Ranger District of Finger Lakes National Forest when it was purchased in 1996. Camp Fossenvue was started by a group of seven women from Geneva looking for a place to camp for their summer vacation. They chose Faucetts Point now called Caywood Point located on the eastern shores of Seneca Lake, New York. These women were leaders in the women’s suffrage movement. In existence from 1875 to the early 1900’s, it was an unusual "lakeside retreat" for wealthy social reformers, artists, poets, suffragettes including Susan B. Anthony, John Ruskin and many other famous people. The lone surviving structure from the Fossenvue period is the "Queen’s Castle," the only building constructed after 1881. It is currently undergoing a roof restoration. Directions: To visit the Queen’s Castle, park at the Caywood Point sign on route 414 just south of the old underpass, and walk down the path to the lake shore. It’s a bit more than 1 mile. Or you could arrive by boat on the point waterfront.
Important Note: A fight to prevent oil and natural gas exploration and drilling in the Finger Lakes National Forest, has been raging for several years. If that was allowed to happen, can you imagine what that would do to New York State's only National Forest and it's environment and wildlife? Let's not forget about the 48,000 visitors per year looking for peace and solitude in the pristine environment of this tiny forest.
For more information: Finger Lakes National Forest Phone: (607) 546-4470
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