Robert V. Riddell State Park
Activities: hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, geocaching
Location: There are three access points to reach the trails at Riddell State Park:
On Route 28, north of Exit 17 I-88 there is the main entrance with parking lot and restrooms.
On Gersoni Road, south of Exit 17 I-88, park on side of road for access to Mud Lake Trail
On 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Davenport, you’ll find the Mud Lake Trail Davenport Trailhead by the Pine Lake Campus of Hartwick College, where you can park if you are hiking the Mud Lake Trail. (
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.5-6 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 trail South of I-88 (updated in 2025)
About the trails:
The Otsego Outdoors Spring Octet Challenge, which runs March 20-June 20, 2025, features the Davenport trailhead of the Mud Lake Trail for the first time. For the Spring Challenge, hike to Mud Lake from the Davenport trailhead, hike the Mud Lake Trail end to end from Davenport Trailhead to the Gersoni Road Trail head (need two cars), or hike a shorter distance of your choosing.
The Tree Identification Trail is accessed from the Riddell Park parking lot off Route 28 and is 1.5 miles.
For a more challenging hike, try out the Mud Lake Trail, a 5 mile hike that can be done with two cars (one at Gersoni Road and one at Charlotte Creek 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.
You also can do a 3.5 mile hike from Gersoni Road trailhead to the waterfall and back. Or, continue up to Mud Lake and back to Gersoni Road for a 5+ mile hike. Similarly, you can do a 5 mile out and back trail to Mud Lake from the Davenport Trailhead. Try Jacy Henderson Memorial trail to change things up on the way back. See map for details.
Getting there:
There are three entrances for the State Park:
- 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. Trailhead for the Mud Lake Trail.
- Charlotte Creek/Davenport Trailhead: 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Davenport Trailhead for the Mud Lake Trail.
Parking at the Hartwick College Pine Lake Environmental Campus lot is available for those hiking the Mud Lake Trail (trailhead across the street from the parking lot). If you would like to explore the trails on the Pine Lake campus, same side of road as parking lot, there is a $5 per vehicle day use fee.
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
