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The Lackawanna Rail Trail runs for 8.7 miles between Elmira and Lowman along the old Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. Following the meandering Chemung River, the trail travels through woodsy and historic plots of land in southern New York.
About the Route
The northern endpoint of the Lackawanna Rail Trail sits at Lake St in Elmira. The trail travels a short distance to Eldridge Park, an alternative beginning to the trail as it offers parking and access to Eldridge Lake and other amenities. As the trail heads south from the park, it heads through the city of Elmira. The trail hits the Chemung River just after the Lackawanna Trailhead in southern Elmira.
The trail is nestled between the Chemung River and I-86 until the trail’s southern endpoint, but the trail is mostly screened from the expressway by woods.
The Chemung River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River and is used for canoeing and fishing for bass, trout, rock bass, and smaller sport fish. This section of trail is shaded in the summer and runs atop levees, where you’ll find benches for resting and enjoying the scenery. The area is rich in Colonial history. The Continental Army battled British forces and their Iroquois allies on a nearby hillside in 1779. The battle is commemorated at the Newtown Battlefield State Park on the other side of I-86, which is not directly accessible from the trail.
Trail History
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad was completed through Elmira in 1882 as it connected Buffalo, New York, with Hoboken, New Jersey. The popular Phoebe Snow passenger train, advertised as burning cleaner coal than its competitors and having the smoothest ride of any passenger train, traveled this route from 1949 to 1966. The line merged with its rival in 1960 to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, which later succumbed to flooding and declining economic conditions.
The Lackawanna Rail Trails runs between Lake St., 0.1 mile north of Sullivan St. (Elmira), and Lowman Crossover, just south of I-86 (Lowman), with parking available at the southern endpoint.
Parking is also available at:
Please see the TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
I have walked & biked this trail for 2 years now. Within the last month, I no longer feel safe on this trail. Certain areas are very overgrown with the bushes. Several homeless encampments have been set up at different areas of the trail. Too bad something nice can’t be maintained.
It's a nice safe ride without slot of hassle.
We finally found entry near Eldridge Park. Other place is wegmans parking lot. Smooth easy ride.
This trail is well marked and goes along the highway. nothing interesting. Good for quick ride during evening .
great trail!! there was really no bumps in the asphalt. it’s just hard to see the rivers/creeks because of the trees.
We found it very difficult to find the trail. We picked it up in Eldridge Park but it was poorly marked. Had to bike through residential neighborhoods. It isn't very scenic due to running parallel to I-86 and the traffic is noisy. Wooded on 1 side mostly but some spots it was on both sides. Loved the pavement. It's in excellent shape and effort is the same going in either direction, in my opinion. Will definitely ride again.
Asphalt smooth. River and some wetland views but not that impressive. Worth the ride on asphalt.
Spectacular day - fun trail. Relatively short - 7 + miles all asphalt that parallels 17/86. Good local resource - not too crowded.
The trail was only extended from Elmira to Lowman recently. The new part is in excellent shape, but there are no amenities between Wegmans and Lowman.
If you make it to Wegmans, Eldridge Park is also worth exploring. Yes, you must cross the highway. Take a walk around the lake or a boat ride. Hopefully, when the pandemic calms down, there will be more to do there.
Directions, parking and trail description all accurate, but there was no fishing access as described. The area as described a out a mile out from the trail head was too steep with rocks and a dense tree and bush line.
Bring ear buds for music or podcast. Runs along interstate 86. Very noisy. Biking mostly.
Great trail for running. I use this trail often to help complete workouts and long runs. Always nice to avoid traffic and have a beautiful view along the way. Trail includes having ability to start in multiple locations.
My wife and I biked this trail with ease, noisy due to proximity to RT 86 but loved it. Ends near a Wegmans so you can get a drink or snack. The ride back to Lowman is very easy as it is downhill, but you don't notice the uphill ride hardly at all.
We parked at the Lowman lot. Rode to Elmira and back. Nice little trail.
Rode the Lackawana Rail Trail end to end, and back, on 5/4/2019. Rode hybrids, No issues. Trail pavement was in excellent condition the entire route. Many benches on newer section of trail. Many views of the Chemung River. Saw many different kinds of birds along river. Parked at trail parking lot near Lowman Crossover. Very easy to find. But only 3 parking spaces and one was for handicaped. Rode the trail to Eldridge Park and around the park loops. One loop is around the lake. A greater loop is around the park. Few or no trail signs. But not an issue because the design is very simple and there are posted maps. Eldridge Park looked well cared for and pleasant to visit. Restrooms available at the park. Didn't see any restrooms along the trail. Saw many trail users (bikers, walkers, & runners) on an overcast & lightly misting morning.
Very difficult to find. No signage in Eldridge Park. The surface is excellent, but the trail runs along the interstate. Noisy and lots of trash along the trail.
Noticed the trail shortly after the highway was rebuilt in that area and finally got a chance to try it out. My wife and I parked near the Lowman end at a parking lot across the freeway. The ride was very pleasant with only a few joggers. We rode to Wegman's in Elmira for a late lunch and then rode back. Pavement was smooth with some small sticks (broken from nearby trees) laying around.
The nearest "restroom" on the Lowman end is about 1/2 mile south of the trailhead. There are two porta-johns at the fishing access ramp. There are no facilities along the trail as it runs between the highway and the river until it reaches Elmira where it follows the old RR right of way and crosses OVER a few busy streets on old RR bridges. Wegmans is at the western end and they do have restrooms available.
Not a real long trail, but nice nonetheless.
This trail was better than I expected. It's very well marked if you park in the parking lot by 86. I can see how it would be confusing trying to find it from Eldridge. The trail goes in front of Wegmans. There isn't much shade so make sure you bring plenty of water for you AND your dog! There's even a nice spot by the water where you can let your pup cool off. I did the trail plus the smaller loop around Eldridge and back. That was 5.86 miles. Definitely worth checking out!
A much needed trail for Elmira!! I use to ride my bike on Clemons Center Parkway to get to Eldridge Park. Clemons Center Parkway is not bicycle friendly - most drivers are focused only on where they need to get to and don't pay attention to the bikers; then there are the evil spirited drivers who deliberately try to run bicycles off the road. The Lackawanna Rail Trail is safe, it's paved and for the most part it is well kept by the City of Elmira. My husband now also enjoys riding his bike on the trail. We love it!
It's a good short ride on asphalt. Around 3 miles one way. Park across from Kennedy valve at the truck lot. There are several parking places for cars. Or park at the wegmans off hey 14. The trail runs inundating of wegmans
Went to Eldridge park and E Water Street. If this trail exists its practically invisible. From what I hear its a glorified sidewalk more than a rail trail anyway. 0/10 would not recommend.
Whent to Eldridge Park, No signs for trail, could not find trail.Road around streets looking Gave up & left. Sad
Great Trail for biking, rollerblading, & walking. Thoroughly enjoy it.
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