Black River Trails

On the Old No. 8 Railroad Bed

Entrance to trail at Black River end.

Black River Trail

Info: Easy walking, no challenge to bikers. Watch the cliffs if you have kids and pets. Mostly black-topped.

Directions: Take Route 3 (Eastern Boulevard) out of the city in the direction going toward Carthage/Village of Black River. A little ways past the corner of Route 3 and Route 342 there is a bridge and a dam. Just past the bridge is a small dirt road on the right. Down this road is a picnic area created by National Grid. Continue past the picnic area and at the end of the automotive-driveable road is where the trail heading toward Watertown begins. This goes all the way to an outlet on the Ridge Road.
To enter from the Ridge Road end get on Eastern Boulevard [Route 3] in the city heading toward Black River/Carthage. Take Huntington on the right until it turns into Ridge Road. A little beyond that, on the side of a hill where there are guard rails, is the exit).
The trail also leads in the other direction in Black River (though not accessible from the above trail). To get to the other trail you must continue on Route 3 past the gas station. Just past that, across from some houses, is the continuation of the trail and the former railroad bed. This trail leads out to Felts Mills in this direction and goes very near the river in many places, as well as passing the dam. There are a few other trails leading off from this one, including some going toward Fort Drum up near Felts Mills (this is near a sand hill on the left, go through that and there are a number of trails in that direction).

Coordinates/Waypoint(s): N 44 00.189, W 75 48.297 - Parking lot/trail start at Black River end.

Trail Distance: The trail from Black River to Watertown is 3.3 miles.

Date/Time Open: Dawn to dusk.

Mountain Biking Allowed: Yes. Mostly easy, some of the outer trails are harder. Bad areas off-trail.

Regular Biking Allowed: Easy on main trail, not recommended in some places on side-trails.

Hiking/Walking Allowed: Yes.

Cross-Country Skiing: ?

Fishing: ? Probably.

Pets Allowed: Yes

Built on Former Railroad Bed: Yes.

Special Instructions: None.

For More Information: ?

Trail Map (NOTE: please scroll right to display the rest of the map)
Map6

NOTE: I'm looking for trail reviews, trail
notes, and/or trail pictures. If you have
any please drop me an e-mail -