Discover the Trails of Otsego County: A Day Trip Hiking Guide

Begin at Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown or Gilbert Lake State Park in Laurens, two longtime favorites that offer a range of hiking options along with picnic areas, swimming, boating, and other amenities — perfect for a full day outdoors.

At Gilbert Lake, the 1.3-mile Gilbert Lake Trail circles the lake and includes a swimming beach. The park has more than 12 miles of interconnecting trails, so you can choose your distance. A popular combination is the Twin Fawns and Ice Pond trails, a 2.4-mile hike through lovely hemlock forests. Many of the park's roads, buildings, and infrastructure were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the park is home to the New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.

Glimmerglass State Park features the more than 2-mile Sleeping Lion Trail, named after the shape of Mount Wellington as viewed from Otsego Lake. The trailheads are on the lake and forest side of Hyde Hall, an early 19th-century neoclassical mansion. Start the Sleeping Lion Trail on the northeast side of Hyde Hall (away from the lake) and you'll be rewarded with downhill views of Otsego Lake on the second half of your hike. The hike starts off with a steep climb and can be muddy in parts, but it's well marked and a favorite with many locals.

Also make time to enjoy the Covered Bridge Trail, or just clomp across the 200-year-old historic bridge — the oldest still standing in the country. If you're hiking with young children, check out the Beaver Pond Trail, which has interactive nature signage along the half-mile trail.

Looking for a hidden gem? Hike Andy's Trail at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park in Westford. The 3-mile trail circles the park, winding along streams, fields, and forests. While Glimmerglass and Gilbert Lake each welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in 2025, the New York State Office for Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation reports about 7,500 visitors came to Davis. The sunset views across the valley are spectacular. Amenities include pavilions, picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, and cabin rentals. A 20-minute drive from Glimmerglass, you can visit both state parks in one day.

In Oneonta, the Table Rock Trails on the campus of Hartwick College are open to the public. The 2.2-mile Blue Trail features beautiful views of the Susquehanna Valley from Table Rock's massive stone slabs, and you can extend your hike on interconnected yellow and red trails.

Get panoramic views from the opposite side of the Valley — just a 15-minute drive away, with lunch spots to check out in Oneonta — at the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary. The 100-acre property, open to the public, features hiking trails through a variety of habitats, culminating in expansive views.

Just three miles away from the Sanctuary is Emmons Pond Bog, a Nature Conservancy property open to the public. The 1.4-mile Orange loop trail starts in an open field with a mowed path and then heads into the forest. The trail crosses two small streams so wear waterproof footwear. Be sure to check out the waterfall just off the trail, after one of the stream crossings. (You'll hear it.)

Speaking of bogs — and waterfalls — on Robert V. Riddell State Park's Mud Lake Trail, you can do an out-and-back hike to the waterfall from the trailhead on Gersoni Road or continue on to Mud Lake, a naturally occurring floating sphagnum bog. Once you reach Mud Lake, head back to the Gersoni Road trailhead (a total distance of 5+ miles), or continue on the trail to the Davenport Trailhead on Charlotte Creek Road (you'll need two cars so you can shuttle).