Keuka Outlet Trail:
New York
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
In the heart of New York's Finger Lakes Region is a rail-trail that is part natural wonder and part industrial archaeology, and the 7-mile trail Keuka Outlet Trail has a unique heritage. Technically a stream, the 8-mile Keuka (KYOO-ka) Lake Outlet physically connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake in the east, the only two Finger Lakes in New York connected by a natural waterway. The outlet also connects the historic lakeside village of Penn Yan on Keuka Lake (settled in 1833 by Pennsylvania Yankees) with Dresden on Seneca Lake.

Settled in the late 1700s by the Society of Universal Friends, the waterway became a gateway to western New York State. At its height of development in 1830, the 8-mile Keuka Lake Outlet, then called Crooked Lake, supported as many as 40 mills and 12 hydropower dams. The dams powered lumber mills and, to a lesser degree, tanneries, distilleries and mills producing linseed oil, grain and plaster. As the boon of canal transportation took hold, New York state built the Crooked Lake Canal along the length of the outlet. It was a colossal venture. Twenty-seven locks were built of stone and wood along the 8-mile waterway (by comparison, the 360-mile Erie Canal has only 90 locks). After an initial positive impact on the economy, the canal required constant repair and construction. The state legislature eventually sold the land in 1878 to businessmen who converted the canal corridor to the Penn Yan and New York Railroad Company. New York Central ran the railroad until 1972 when floods from Hurricane Agnes destroyed the corridor.

The original canal dropped approximately 270 feet over an 8-mile section between Penn Yan and Dresden to the east. After the locks were removed, a number of waterfalls naturally developed; the waterway now attracts recreational paddlers. The water flow is controlled by a dam at Penn Yan and can change drastically from week to week, or even day to day. The trail itself remains fairly level for the entire 7 miles.

The countryside hosts fields of produce farms and vineyards, but remains of mills and dams along the corridor invoke the ghosts of 19th-century industrial America. Large rusting gears sit silent by beautiful rushing waterfalls; sections of trail meander through remnants of cut stone walls. In most places, the water has reclaimed the land and become a haven for wildlife and waterfowl. It is not unusual to see herons perched at the water's edge.

The majority of the trail passes through lush vegetation and follows a narrow strip of dirt smoothed by countless bicycle tires. Several feet of mowed grass border the dirt path. A short section of trail in Penn Yan is paved with asphalt, but the majority of trail is crushed stone and dirt. At about the trail's midpoint, the Seneca Mill Falls picnic area is a popular trailhead and picnic spot near the largest falls along the trail. Approximately 3 miles of the Keuka Outlet Trail between Seneca Mill and Hopeton Mill cut through a steep gorge carved from shale and limestone during the last ice age. This natural wonder contrasts sharply with the historic mill remnants that you can spot periodically at former mill sites along the way.

The villages of Penn Yan and Dresden are now tourist destinations; the people and businesses are open to sharing the wealth of their heritage with interested visitors. A bike rental is available in Penn Yan, and you'll find an ice cream shop in Dresden.

... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the trailhead in Penn Yan: From Main Street, turn west onto Elm Street (Route 54A) and follow to the community ball field on the left. The trail access is behind the vendor booth, to your left, as you are looking at the field.

To reach the Dresden Trailhead: Follow Route 54 east to Dresden. After crossing Route 14, bear right onto Seneca Street. The trailhead and parking lot are on the right.

... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Keuka Outlet Trail- Hybrid Trek Bike
By skycooke in October, 2011
Today, 10/6/2011 I started out in Dresden, NY heading West on this trail. The ride was uphill most of the 6.7 miles but the grade was very mild and was an easy run to the West side of the trail. Acorns along about 10% of the trail proved uneasy but even the dirt trail with all the recent rain proved very easy to handle. The Bridge IN PENN YANN IS BEING REBUILT AND MAKES ACCESS FROM THE WEST SIDE OF THE TRAIL IMPOSSIBLE. I would suggest for the balance of 2011 and most of 2012 to come in from the East side of the trail in Dresden. Parking in Penn Yann and the traffic with the bridge out makes it very hard if you don't know the area.
Great ride for kids
By withiaa in May, 2009
We rode this trail from Dresden to Penn Yan, so the slight climb came first. Our party was Mom, Dad & 3 kids ages 10 & 11. The surface was fine for hybrids & mountain bikes. I wouldn't try it on a road bike. The trail is partly shaded, the scenery is varied and interesting. The trail crosses quiet roads in only a couple of places. The creek is gorgeous! My kids were thrilled by the crumbling mill, defunct bridges and old dam ruins. We all enjoyed blue herons and, in one pond in the old canal, 12 turtles on logs! Mr. Twisties Ice Cream (at the Dresden trail head) made a good treat at the end of the ride. We drove quite a distance to bike this 14 miles and we figure it was well worth it.
History and beauty on the Outlet Trail
By blastedrock in March, 2009
This is my favorite trail for riding my Icelandic horse with friends. There are many spots with beautiful views of waterfalls and interesting old buildings. The footing is generally very good for horses and everyone is friendly and likes to pet them. Our horses are very easy-going and friendly, and enjoy the attention. There is at least one nice spot where the water is shallow and you and your horse can wade there to cool off. Parking space is somewhat limited, but even with horse trailers we've never failed to find a spot. This is a beautiful ride in all the seasons.
Stephanie
Browse Trails by Activity:
Nice pic of the stream that runs along the trail.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Elm Street/CR 54A (Penn Yan) to Seneca Street (Dresden)
Counties: Yates
Trail Length: 7 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Gravel, Ballast, Dirt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016690

Related Links
Share this with a friend
Share   Email
 ... Click to read more
Guidebook: Learn more about other New York rail-trails in RTC's New York Guidebook.
Find Hotels Near Keuka Outlet Trail
Find Campgrounds
Find Bed & Breakfasts