Parslow Road Conservation Area, Blueway Trail, Oaks Creek
Activities: Hiking, paddling, winter sports
Location: 127 Parslow Road, Hartwick, New York
Difficulty:Â Easy Hiking, Easy to Moderate Paddling
Distance Hiking: 1.2 miles
Distance Paddling: 8+ miles
Fee: No
Parslow Road Conservation Area is located on the northern edge of Oaksville along Oaks Creek, with 86 acres of wetlands, forests, and fields ideal for birders, hikers, snowshoers, and runners. Open dawn to dusk 365 Days a Year with easy parking, level and mowed walking paths, and access to Oaks Creek.
New Orange Trail!Â
Begin on the Blue Oaks Creek Trail and then follow the Orange blazes for a lovely walk to a new view of Oaks Creek, then continue following the Orange Trail which will return you to the Blue Trail and then the parking lot. The new combined trail is 1.2 miles. See Trail Map There are new bog bridges built along the Orange Trail, but it can still be muddy in spots.
Nearby: 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.
Jerry’s Place 6635 State Highway 28, Hartwick, NY Ice Cream and burgers (open May – October)
What Octet-ers are saying:
2/26/24: “Short but sweet.”
2/21/24: “Heard and then saw a pileated woodpecker.”
2/2/24: “Very wet snow on some parts of trail. Well market. Six dog poop piles on trail. Route 28 Traffic noise. Walked both the blue and orange trails.”
2/18/23 “Trail is well marked and I appreciate the elevated walkways.”
1/26/23 “Beautiful hike. Appreciated the boardwalks.”
1/14/23 “Nice fields, forest, and river.”
1/8/23 “Nice hike at dusk. Love the new walking bridges.”
1/2/23 “The new Orange trail is beautiful.”
1/2/23 “First time on new Orange trail. Nicely laid out. Really enjoyed this one. Did extra section for 1.45 mile trip.”
1/1/23 “Orange trail is well marked and magical. A wonderful addition!”
12/28/22 “1.3 miles, took 33 minutes. We saw robins by the water and grouse and rabbit tracks.”
12/28/22 “New trail looks great!”
12/4/22 “The new trail is great and a fun way to spend more time in this peaceful forest along Oaks Creek.”
6/30/22 “Quiet and hidden. Nice addition to schedule.”
For paddlers:
Parslow Road offers ample parking, a maintained trail from the parking lot to creek-side, and over half a mile of frontage along Oaks Creek, a designated trout stream. The trailhead is located next to the parking lot at the information kiosk. The trail is 900 feet long, so paddlers be aware of the need to portage your craft that distance. A popular route is a section of the Blueway Trail* starting at Parslow Road and finishing at Compton Bridge (8+ miles)
*About the Blueway Trail:
Sites along the Blueway Trail of Oaks Creek occur from Canadarago Lake in Richfield Springs to Compton Bridge in Cooperstown. Depending on the water level in the creek you can paddle from Canadarago Lake down Oaks Creek to Compton Bridge. This would be a full day trip. The upper section of Oaks Creek is generally very calm, flat water while the lower half of the creek is more swift and “creek-like.” Be aware that water levels in the lower half may be too low for paddling during a majority of the summer months. Also be aware that this area is known for having a large number of natural hazards such as downed trees.
Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: information kiosk, map at trailhead, parking, dogs allowed, vistas, fall foliage, running, birding
Site Maintained by Otsego Land Trust and New York State Department of Conservation
