Robert V. Riddell State Park
Activities: hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, geocaching
Location: Route 28, north of Exit 17 I-88 (main entrance with parking lot
Also: Gersoni Road, South of Exit 17 I-88, park on side of road for access to Mud Lake Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.5-5 miles
Elevation Gain: 650
Fee: No
More than 1,000 acres of fields, forested woodlands, and multiple trails located in the Susquehanna River Valley.
Trail Map for trails north of I-88 from parking lot
Trail Map for Mud Lake trails South of I-88Â
About the trails:
The Tree Identification Trail is accessed from the main parking lot and is 1.5 miles. For a more challenging hike, Otsego County Conservation Association recommends the Mud Lake Trail, a 5+ mile out and back trail in the southern portion of the park (trailhead on Gersoni Road). The trail has a significant elevation change to the top and passes through several forest types, a waterfall, and Mud Lake, a naturally occurring floating sphagnum bog with carnivorous pitcher plants. The trail varies from an old logging road to a narrow trail with roots and brush and can be wet and muddy in all seasons.
At this time the trails are marked by color throughout the park. However, on the Mud Lake Trail, the color of the markers is inconsistent. The trail is listed as the green trail on the park map but the markers themselves are a mix of orange and purple. This may change as the trail is updated. There is a small waterfall just off the trail at 1.7 miles, making an out and back hike 3.5 miles.
Getting there:
Main Entrance: The main parking lot for Riddell State Park is on Route 28, just north of I-88 Exit 17.
Gersoni Road Entrance: East side of Gersoni Road just south of I-88 Exit 17. Park on the shoulder and look for the small green park entrance sign. This is the trailhead for the Mud Lake Trail.
Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: parking, dogs allowed, fall foliage, fishing, birding
The Robert V. Riddell State Park is part of the Central Region Geocache Challenge, a treasure hunt at New York State parks and historic sites.
Site Maintained by New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
