ONONDAGA LAKE PARK:
LOOP the LAKE TRAIL:
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: March 12, 2025
Length: Loop the Lake Trail; 9.1 miles complete
East Shore Recreation Trail; 3.7 miles.
West Shore Trail; 6.3 miles.
Murphy's Island Trail; 0.3 miles.
Lakeland Nature Trail; 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Loop the Lake Trail; Easy. Flat paved trail/road.
Lakeland Nature Trail; Easy. Stone-dust & hard packed dirt & grass trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Onondaga Lake Park Visitor Center [Eastern side of Lake]; From I-90:
Westbound take exit 36 to Electronics Parkway and turn left. Turn right on Old Liverpool Rd. Follow to the Oswego St 5-way intersection. Turn left and head straight on S Willow St (continuing left will put you on Onondaga Lake Parkway. Turn left into the parking lot. Visitor center is too your right.
Eastbound take exit 37 to Electronics Parkway and turn left. Turn right on Old Liverpool Rd. Follow to the Oswego St 5-way intersection. Turn left and head straight on S Willow St (continuing left will put you on Onondaga Lake Parkway. Turn left into the parking lot. Visitor center is too your right.
To Start from the Long Branch Road parking lot [Northern End of Lake]; From I-690 take exit 4 to John Glenn Blvd. Take your first right on Long Branch Rd. The parking lot is on your right before the bridge.
To Start from the Onondaga Lake Visitor Center [Western side of Lake]; From I-690:
Westbound take exit 7, turn right at the off ramp and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center.
Eastbound take exit 7, turn left onto State Fair Boulevard, take the first left passing under I-690, drive straight toward the lake and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center.
To Start from the Destiny USA parking lot [Southern End of Lake]; From I-81:
Northbound take exit 23 to park St and turn right. First right on Hiawatha Blvd. Come to the mall on your right. Turn left on Solar St and take your first right into the parking lot. The trail is along your right, between the parking lot & Hiawatha Blvd.
Southbound take exit 23B to Destiny USA Dr and turn left. Travel past the mall and left out to Hiawatha Blvd. Cross the Blvd to Solar St and take your first right into the parking lot. The Onondaga Creekwalk is along your right, between the parking lot & Hiawatha Blvd. The Onondaga Lake Park; Loop of the Lake shares this trail along its southern end.
Onondaga Lake Park is located on the Eastern Side of Onondaga Lake outside of Syracuse. Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail combines several trails to Loop around the lake. The East Shore recreation Trail travels along the Eastern Side of the lake and connects to the West Shore Trail which travels along the Western Side of the lake. The trail then utilizes the short, incomplete, Murphy's Island Trail along the lakes Southern End. Currently, as of 2025, a gap exists along the Southern End of the lake, preventing a complete Loop of the Lake Southern End of the lake, preventing a complete Loop of the Lake. A separate "pedestrian only" Shoreline Walking Trail also travels along the Eastern Side of the lake. There are many amenities in the park; Food, restrooms, bike rentals, picnic tables, playgrounds, sports...and a Visitor Center. A section of the West Shore Trail is also utilized as part of the Erie Canalway Trail; Utica-Syracuse . For more information visit; ONONDAGA LAKE PARK & CUSE CYCLE BIKE RENTAL .
Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake:
East Shore Recreation Trail:
Starting from the Visitor Center; The East Shore Recreation Trail begins behind the Visitor Center. Maps and restrooms located here. Head left around the center to the Onondaga Lake Parkway Oval (large flagpole in the middle). The bike path utilizes this road, along with a tram. Mile Markers are painted across the road every 0.25 miles, starting from the 0 Mile Marker located here. Follow the road Northwest, passing by a dock on your left and the SALT MUSEUM before coming to an overlook of the lake on your left at 0.2 miles. The Shoreline Walking Trail (This is a pedestrian only trail that travels along the shoreline) & East Shore Recreation Trail combine here briefly.
Note; The Shoreline Walking Trail (This is a pedestrian only trail that travels along the shoreline) also travels left, Southeast, for 0.3 miles before ending at a parking lot.
Continue straight, where the Shoreline Walking Trail bares left (It parallels the East Shore Recreation Trail). Come to another Oval and continue left, past the Onondaga Lake Park Marina & Boat Launch. Restrooms and picnic tables are scattered throughout the park. Come to a parking lot at the Northern End of the lake at 2.2 miles. Map board.
Note; The Shoreline Walking Trail joins the East Shore Recreation Trail here after 2.3 miles.
You continue West, past the Willow Bay Picnic Area (restrooms, playground, picnic tables, pavilions), before turning North, underneath I-90 and alongside the Outlet Channel (Discharges the lake water out to the Seneca River). Come to an intersection at Mile 2.5 in *Willow Bay Park.
Note; You have 2 Options from here.
Option 1: You may continue along the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail by heading right, to connect to the West Shore Trail. See Below.
Option 2: You can continue along the East Shore Recreation Trail, North, to check out the Seneca River, which is part of the Modern Erie Canal. I did both, Looping back to Willow Bay Park.
Continuing straight, North, alongside the Outlet Channel, you'll travel underneath the Long Branch Road Bridge, before passing by a restroom and returning to the Onondaga Lake Parkway. Parking lot located straight ahead. Head left along the road, passing by two boathouses. Travel underneath John Glen Blvd at 3 miles. Pass by the old MUD LOCK 5, part of the old Oswego Canal on your left (Informational sign next to it) before coming to a stone-dust path on your left at 3.2 miles.
Note; This stone-dust trail travels around Cold Springs Park, alongside the Seneca River, than past Wegman's Good Dog Park, before returning to Onondaga Lake Parkway.
Continue along Onondaga Lake Parkway or utilize the stone-dust trail. Come to the Cold Springs Rd entrance at 3.4 miles and turn left, past the gate and alongside Wegman's Good Dog Park. Travel past what looks like part of the old Canal before the trail ends after 3.7 miles at the Seneca River. To your left is Klein Island. This river is part of the Modern Erie Canal.
West Shore Trail:
Continuing from the intersection at Mile 2.5 in *Willow Bay Park: [Continuing Mileage] Head right, along the paved trail, up towards Long Branch Rd. Just before the road turn left, Southwest, where the trail takes you up to Long Branch Rd and across the Outlet Channel via a walkway along the bridge. A paved trail then brings you down to the Long Branch Road parking lot after 2.7 miles, where you then access the West Shore Trail. Map Board. Across the road is Long Branch Park. The paved West Shore Trail travels South, underneath I-90 and alongside the Outlet Channel. You'll cross over Mile Marker 2.75 miles (Mile Markers every 0.25 miles). This wooded trail then travels along the Western Side of Onondaga Lake and is isolated. You'll pass by a Spur to the stone-dust/hard packed dirt & grass Lakeland Nature Trail along your right.
Note; I haven't checked out this trail. The 1.8 mile stone-dust/hard packed dirt & grass Lakeland Nature Trail starts here and travels South, through the woods, returning you to the West Shore Trail at 0.7 miles. It briefly utilizes the West Shore Trail before turning right, Southwest, traveling underneath I-690. The trail then turns left, East, across pedestrian bridge, over I-690 at 1.4 miles. Finally, the trail continues right, South, returning to the West Shore Trail after 1.8 miles & the End of the trail.
The lake is mostly hidden by trees and brush along the route. Pass by the Lakeland Nature Trail on your right, which briefly shares the trail, before coming to an intersection at 3.5 miles.
Note; The Lakeland Nature Trail heads right, underneath I-690.
Continuing South, come to an intersection at 3.9 miles.
Note; The Lakeland Nature Trail heads right, West, across pedestrian bridge, over I-690.
Continue left, along the lake, before coming to the Lakeland Nature Trail on your right at 4.4 miles.
Note; This is the End of the Lakeland Nature Trail.
The trail next brings you to a circle.
Note; Heading right, West, leads to a pedestrian bridge over I-690 to Pleasant Beach Rd.
Bare left, past the circle, where the trail continues along the lake, passing by bench pavilion, before turning inland, alongside I-690. Cross a bridge over Nine Mile Creek at 5.2 miles. The trail climbs the chalky Solvay Process waste beds, East, passing by the Lakeview Amphitheatre (open air amphitheatre, restrooms). Just past the amphitheatre you'll come to an intersection.
Note; A paved trail leads South, down to the the Lakeview Amphitheatre/NY State Fairgrounds parking lot.
Continue up to Lakeview Point, which juts into the lake at 5.8 miles.
Note; A narrow trail takes you South, down to a pier.
Next, pass by another bench pavilion as the trail turns South. Come to an intersection at 6.2 miles.
Note; Right leads to the Lakeview Amphitheatre/NY State Fairgrounds parking lot.
The trail travels along the top of the ridge, Southeast, passing by a small picnic pavilion, before coming to a Y intersection at 6.8 miles. The EMPIRE STATE TRAIL intersects here.
Note; Right, the Empire State Trail will take you Southeast, passing another picnic pavilion & overlook, where the trail then right, down to the NY State Fairgrounds; Orange parking lot at 7.3 miles. This is also the route of the Erie Canalway Trail; Utica-Syracuse .
I haven't checked out this section. Bear left, where the West Shore Trail/Erie Canalway Trail; Utica-Syracuse follows the shoreline Southeast, down to a bridge over an inlet at 7.3 miles. You then travel around the ONONDAGA LAKE VISITOR CENTER and Onondaga Lake boat launch on your left. The trail continues between the Lake and I-690 along open shoreline. The trail then pulls away from the highway, passing by a parking lot on your right and a fishing pier on your left. Come to an intersection.
Note; Past the gate, a gravel trail continues along the lake, before turning inland and rejoining the West Shore Trail.
The trail heads inland, passing by the gravel trail on your left, before turning East, across a culvert. Come to a long pedestrian bridge after 8.8 miles. This is the end of the West Shore Trail.
Note; Possible future plans will continue the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail Northeast, along the Southern End of the lake. It will then have to cross over Onondaga Creek, where it will connect to the the start of the Onondaga Creekwalk (which travels Southeast through Syracuse) and Murphy's Island Trail, which is part of the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail. Murphy's Island Trail, which currently only travels 0.3 miles along the Southern End of the lake. Future construction will continue this trail Northwest, back to Onondaga Lake Park, completing the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail.
Detour: This pedestrian bridge takes you over the RR tracks, where the Erie Canalway Trail; Utica-Syracuse continues East, through an industrial area and out to Hiawatha Blvd. Turn left, to a crosswalk over the Blvd and head Northeast along a BIKE LANE. Come to Van Renssellaer St, where you'll pick up a wide cement trail alongside Van Renssellaer St. Just before a bridge over Onondaga Creek, pick up the Onondaga Creekwalk at 9.5 miles on your right.
Note; The Onondaga Creekwalk , travels Southeast, alongside Onondaga Creek. I've checked out this section.
Continue straight, over Onondaga Creek, along the Onondaga Creekwalk. The trail then turns right, across from Destiny USA, back to Onondaga Creek, where the trail travels Northwest, bringing you to the Southern End of the lake after 10 miles. This is the Northern End of the Onondaga Creekwalk . Right, A short, 0.3 mile section of the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail/Murphy's Island Trail travels Northeast, along the Southern End of Onondaga Lake through Murphy's Island. This section closes from Dec. 1 to March 31 every year to protect Bald Eagles. I have not checked out this new section. Future construction will continue the trail Northwest, to Onondaga Lake Park, completing the Onondaga Lake Park; Loop the Lake Trail.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR ONONDAGA LAKE PARK MAP
CLICK HERE FOR EMPIRE TRAIL MAP
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WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
