First Chance To Hike Beautiful Scenic New York Trail In 2025

It's time to hike on one Central New York trail that's only open twice a year.

A beautiful scenic trail in Central New York opens once twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. Trenton Falls Scenic Trails will be opening for hikes for one weekend only in May. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until October. For 2025, the trail will be open May 17th and May 18th from 9:00am to 5:00pm, weather permitting.

Trenton Falls History

John Sherman discovered Trenton Falls in 1805. He built a resort for the upper class but it was later destroyed and power companies took over, closing the falls to the public for 100 years, according to Wikipedia.

"Utica Electric Light & Power Company received the Hotel and surrounding land in 1897. Because of the creation of hydroelectric powerhouse and the dam in 1899, the City of Utica, New York was able to receive electricity from Trenton Falls in 1901."

The falls were used to produce hydro-generated electricity beginning in the early twentieth century and continue to do so today.

Two Trails

There are two paths you can hike along Trenton Falls.

The main trail leads to the Hydro Dam overlook. The secondary trails allow hikers to experience nature and scenic vistas along the gorge with informational panels at points of historical interest.

READ MORE: Holland Patent Historian Discovers Civil War Cannonball in Trenton Falls

A section from the high falls to the dam is not be open due to damage from rock slides over the years.

"It will most likely never be open again unless someone with deep pockets comes to the rescue," Holland Patent historian Michael Parker said. "But the rest of the trails are a great treat."