Itineraries Archives - Otsego Outdoors

New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail

Otsego2000 — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:32:42 +0000

New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail

The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail (NYSBWT) welcomes paddlers and anglers of all abilities to explore the natural beauty, history, and river communities along 190 miles of exciting waterways. There are wonderful places to explore here in Otsego County and beyond, with a series of access points along the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers. Both rivers meet over the border in Pennsylvania, as the Susquehanna continues its journey to the Chesapeake Bay.

There are three featured itineraries in Otsego County including:

Otsego Lake, the headwaters of the Susquehanna River,
Cooperstown to Phoenix Mills, and
Crumhorn Pond to Goodyear Lake.

The online map lists ADA accessible launches, itineraries, points of interest, outfitters, portages, hazards and more.

See all the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail has to offer at paddle607.com

The post New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Oneonta Historical Downtown Walk

Otsego2000 — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:45:01 +0000

Enjoy a downtown stroll of the City of Oneonta. Start at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society at 183 Main Street, Oneonta NY. Free Parking is available at the Dietz Street parking lot at 22-40 Dietz Street or anywhere on Main Street.

Self-guided tours of Downtown and Walnut Street, Oneonta’s Historic Districts on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Stop in to a few of our favorite spots:

Buy a new book or something unique at The Green Toad Bookstore at 198 Main Street, Oneonta
Enjoy a great cup of coffee and a treat from The Latte Lounge
Have lunch or dinner at the Autumn Cafe located at 244 Main Street, Oneonta NY

Thank you to the Greater Oneonta Historical Society.

The post Oneonta Historical Downtown Walk appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Edmeston Walk

Peg Odell — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:51:30 +0000

Enjoy a walk (1.8 miles) around the hamlet of Edmeston.

Start at the intersection of East, West, North, and South Streets. Free Parking is available along East and West Streets.

Head south on South Street sidewalk where you’ll pass many homes built over a hundred years ago during the railroad boom.

Take a right on Burdick Avenue and continue uphill, until the road makes a “T” into Dutch Valley Road, where you’ll take a right. (Stay close to the side of the road, as there is no sidewalk).

Enjoy the bucolic rural landscape as you go and then you’ll reach West Street, take a right and continue along the sidewalk until to return to where you started.

Nearby Options:

Stop in at Spike’s Pizza & Groceries at 5 East Street for a drink, snack, or a slice.
Enjoy a treat from The Pathfinder Bakery and Cafe at 3 Chenango Road, open weekdays from 6:30-11:00 am.

Thank you to Martha Winsor for suggesting this walk and for the photos.

The post Edmeston Walk appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Cooperstown Village Walk

Otsego2000 — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:46:28 +0000

Start your walk at the beautiful Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, New York. Cooperstown is recognized by most as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. But it is the delightful small town of rural traditions, restored historic buildings, and myriad cultural attractions that visitors tend to remember just as much. Located in the central region of the state, Cooperstown was settled in the late 18th century by William Cooper, father of novelist James Fenimore Cooper, whose novels were set in and around Cooperstown. The aesthetic centerpiece of Cooperstown is beautiful Otsego Lake, which author Cooper nicknamed the Glimmerglass.

Village Walking Tour Map provided by The Otesaga Resort

Google Map

The post Cooperstown Village Walk appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

New Lisbon Ride

Peg Odell — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 19:34:53 +0000

The route runs clockwise and connects Texas Schoolhouse State Forest with Gilbert Lake State Park. It is approximately 20 miles long, has a cumulative climb of nearly 1600 feet, and uses a mix of blacktopped roads, gravel roads, and off road trails.

The route comprises two loops, which can be completed as a single ride or divided into two separate rides. The shorter of the loops (New Lisbon short loop map), which is just under five miles, is entirely within Gilbert Lake State Park and uses park roads and trails. The other is entirely on town and county roads. Beginning at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, the large loop traverses Jones Road, Texas Road, Lena Road, County Highway 14, County Highway 15, Braun Road, Town Line Road, Gilbert Lake Road, Card Road, North Welcome Road, and finally, Jones Road again. The route was developed by collaboration among the Town of New Lisbon, the Otsego County Highway Department, Central New York Cyclist Club (CNYC), and the Butternut Valley Alliance (BVA).

New Lisbon Ride

Parking is available in Gilbert Lake State Park and at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest. The state park has numerous parking lots with free admission during the off season. At Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, there is year-round free parking at an unimproved parking area across from the trailhead on Jones Road between Lena and Texas Roads and limited additional parking at the trailhead.

Peter Martin, an avid member of CNYC and also one of the organizers of the bike route project, described the route as fun and scenic with low traffic. He said, “The climb up to Gilbert Lake State Park on the paved road is a bit of a grind and the last kicker hill on Jones about a mile before the ride finishes is tough but, other than those two hills, nothing is too challenging. The 1600 feet of vertical climbing is well distributed throughout the ride. Gravel-cross or mountain bikes are best for the trail in Gilbert Lake State Park.” Peter urges cyclists to ride with caution, particularly on the off road portions in Gilbert Lake State Park, and encourages cyclists to wear appropriate attire including helmets and brightly colored clothing, to have lights or reflectors on their bicycles, and to be wary of traffic particularly on the town and county roads.

Additional funding was provided by a grant from the Complete Streets Implementation Project, which is presently being administered by Otsego 2000.The Town of New Lisbon Highway department installed the signs on the town roads and the Otsego County Highway Department installed the signs on County Highways 14 and 15. A team of volunteers comprising Craig Buckbee, Stacey Kazacos, Ed Lentz, Peter Martin, and Bob Thomas installed the signs in Gilbert Lake State Park.

According to Town Supervisor and BVA chairperson Ed Lentz, “New Lisbon and the entire Butternut Valley are becoming something of a destination for outdoor activities. We have several cycling events each year, an annual Butternut Creek float, hiking, fishing and hunting in our state forests including the Basswood Pond, Texas Schoolhouse, and Jacob Morris State Forests, numerous private and municipal campgrounds, and a wonderful variety of outdoor activities at Gilbert Lake State Park.”

The post New Lisbon Ride appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Kid-Friendly Fly Creek

Otsego2000 — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 18:35:35 +0000

Have an hour or two to enjoy the outdoors? Go to the Parslow Road Conservation Area, which offers an easy 1/2 mile walk through woods and fields to Oaks Creek. Great for bird watching, picnicking, fishing, exploring. You also can launch a canoe or kayak and paddle Oaks Creek. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and controlled by their owners and cleaned up after.

Recommended Stops:

Fly Creek General Store, 6212 State Highway 28 in Fly Creek (607) 547-7274
Coffee, Soda, Deli and Grocery Items. Great old-time general store! Stop here for snacks or a picnic lunch. And, if you’re going fishing, they sell bait.

Jerry’s Place
Ice Cream, Shakes, Burgers in this family-friendly restaurant to enjoy before or after your hike.

Kingfisher Lavender
In the summer, visit this lavender farm with amazing views. Peak bloom is from late June through mid July. Shop offers lavender plants, fresh lavender bunches (through July), dried lavender bouquets, lavender soap, sachets, and other lavender products.

Otsego 2000 has information on the Fly Creek Historic District on its website.

The post Kid-Friendly Fly Creek appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Experience the Glimmerglass of James Fenimore Cooper

Otsego2000 — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 17:15:39 +0000

Otsego Lake from Lake Front Park in Cooperstown. Photo by Randy Smith

It was James Fenimore Cooper who gave Otsego Lake the name “Glimmerglass” in his novel The Deerslayer. He described the nine-mile lake as ”a broad sheet of water, so placid and limpid that it resembled a bed of the pure mountain atmosphere, compressed into a setting of hills and woods…its margin was irregular, being indented by bays, and broken by many projecting, low points. At is northern…end, it was bounded by an isolated mountain, lower land falling off east and west, gracefully relieving the sweep of the outline.”

You can experience the landscape—or should we say lakescape—that inspired Cooper’s words today. Due to the foresight and generosity of the Clark family, much of the east side of Otsego Lake is forested and green. The region is further protected through the efforts of Otsego 2000 as the Glimmerglass Historic District.

You can explore the Glimmerglass Historic District by paddle, bike, hiking, and swimming.

Kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes are available to rent at multiple locations along the lake, including

Canoe and Kayak Rentals
offers two locations on Otsego Lake: Brookwood Point (open daily through Labor Day) and Glimmerglass State Park (open weekends through August)
Lake Front Motel
Sam Smith Boat Yard

Experience the Glimmerglass Historic District by Bike in this Loop Ride around the Lake

You may also enjoy visiting the Cooper Room at the Fenimore Art Museum to find out more about James Fenimore Cooper and his family. And, Hyde Hall, a British-American Country House built during the time of Jane Austen, offers tours. Located within Glimmerglass State Park.

Speaking of Glimmerglass State Park, this wonderful spot on the northern end of Otsego Lake offers swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, mountain biking, and road cycling.

Hungry? Restaurants with views of Otsego Lake and outdoor dining options include:

Hawkeye Bar & Grill at the Otesaga
Lakefront Bar & Grill
The Porch at Otsego Lake Golf Club
Leatherstocking Golf Bar & Grill
Fenimore Cafe at the Fenimore Art Museum
Blue Mingo Grill

More things to do:

Enjoy views of Otsego Lake from Lake Front Park (north end of Pioneer Street in Cooperstown).

Browse the unique shops and antique stores in Springfield Center, and enjoy a meal at Sunflower Cafe.

Have a favorite restaurant or outdoor activity within the Glimmerglass Historic District? Let us know!

The post Experience the Glimmerglass of James Fenimore Cooper appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Cherry Valley Ride

Otsego2000 — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 19:03:23 +0000

Cherry Valley Ride

Activities: Road Cycling
Location: 16 Main Street, Cherry Valley, NY, 13320
Level: Moderate
Distance: 20.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 734 feet
Fee: No

Route: The Cherry Valley ride starts and ends at a public parking lot next to the NBT Bank on Main Street, Cherry Valley. It’s a scenic ride with rolling hills that passes through Roseboom, Pleasant Brook, and Middlefield. You will pass by the Roseboom and Middlefield Historical Associations. Cherry Valley Historical Association is just North of the route start on Main Street. Ride with GPS

Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: toilets, vistas, fall foliage, water stop, restaurants, shopping

Landmarks: Roseboom, Middlefield, and Cherry Valley Historical Associations

The post Cherry Valley Ride appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Gilbertsville Ride

Otsego2000 — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 18:28:00 +0000

Gilbertsville Ride

Activities: Road Cycling
Location: 104 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville NY, 13776
Level: Moderate
Distance: 15.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Fee: No

This ride is a scenic loop from Gilbertsville on County Road 51, through Morris and back primarily on Musson Road. Gently rolling terrain. Ride with GPS

Landmarks on the trip: The Major’s Inn, 104 Marion Way, Gilbertsville, is a National Register Historic Site. Begun in 1897, this 55 room mansion reflects the English Tudor and Gothic architectural styles. The nonprofit Major’s Inn Foundation has been working since 1980 to restore the building. Special events, summer concerts, and an October quilt show are held here.

Almost without exception the structures in Gilbertsville date from the 19th century. The quality of its buildings, the lack of modern intrusions, the small parks and many trees, make this one of the most beautiful and historically intact villages in Otsego County. Find out more about the Village of Gilbertsville Historic District.

In Morris, you’ll find an unusually large assemblage of stone buildings–domestic, religious, and commercial buildings–constructed before 1850 for this region. More about the Morris Village Historic District

Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: toilets, water stop, restaurants, shopping, galleries

What’s nearby: The Empire House 136 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville NY
Restaurant offers dinners, including fish frys, pub nights, and weekly specials. “Creative cuisine with a hint of the exotic.” Enjoy live music on many weekend nights.

Five Kids Bakehouse, 5 Commercial Street, Gilbertsville

Family bakery featuring fresh breads, cronuts, croissants, cookies, tarts and more, plus coffee.

The post Gilbertsville Ride appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears Trail, Oneonta High School

Otsego2000 — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 17:00:20 +0000

Blood, Sweat, and Tears Trail, Oneonta High School

Activities: Mountain biking
Location: Oneonta High School, Meadowbrook Lane, Oneonta, NY 13820
Level: Moderate
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 118 feet
Fee: No

This mountain biking trail is within an interconnected system. It’s a well maintained, singletrack trail with multiple switchbacks and some rock features. Hikers are allowed on the trail but must be aware that it is primarily a mountain biking site.

Look for minor signage at the beginning of the trail.

Getting there:
This trail is at the Oneonta High School. Ride out past the sports fields and into the woods.

Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: parking

For more biking trails, check out the Oneonta Trail Association

The post Blood, Sweat, and Tears Trail, Oneonta High School appeared first on Otsego Outdoors.