El Dorado Preserve - A nice 1.4 mile walk to the edge of Lake Ontario where there is a bird viewing area. The Nature Conservancy manages this preserve and the trail is only open May through September. Please note at times the trail is wet and you might get your feet wet. (Not a stroller friendly hike, put your little one in a pack.) Click here for directions to the El Dorado Preserve.
Salmon River Falls Unique Area - A very short hike to see a beautiful 100 foot waterfall that is handicap accessible, so it would be stroller friendly. See the DEC link for directions and more information about the trail.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield - A mile long history trail that goes through the historic buildings, along the cliff above a bay in Lake Ontario and the fields where the Battle of Sackets Harbor was fought. There are some interpretive exhibits along the way. (This trail is stroller friendly.) If you go on a cold day, stop in at the local coffee shop, Chrissy Beanz, for a latte, cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
Southwick Beach State Park - Parking is right off the main road into the State Park before you get to the entrance gate. I take the Big Beech trail to the turn off for the Big Dead Maple Tree trail and it brings you out to the sandy beach that you can walk along back to the concession building with a playground and picnic area. Then you'll just walk the road back to the parking area. It makes for a great mile or so walk with a very nice playground to stop and play with your kids at. (Up until you get to the beach, you can use a stroller, but unless you turn around there to return to your car this is not a stroller friendly hike once on the beach, so put your little one in a pack.) Click here for directions for getting to Southwick Beach State Park.
Wehle State Park - This is a free state park which has over 12 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that meander through the woods and along the edges of Lake Ontario. There are steep cliffs along portions of the trail. This is the newest state park and is the former estate of Robert G. Wehle. The trails are stroller friendly. We were given the Bob stroller as a gift and haven't had an issue there or really on any hiking trail. We LOVE it and take it on quite a few of our walks and hikes. Here is my take on Wehle State Park.
Wellesley Island State Park - This park has a little bit of everything for anyone - from a golf course to hiking trails and a museum at the Minna B. Anthony Nature Center - you should be able to find something to enjoy. The nature center's hiking trails is where we've spent most of our time, with several miles of hiking trails and a butterfly house to explore. I talk about our visit to the park here.
Here's a trail map Jefferson County has published of some of these hikes, plus additional family friendly hikes in the area. Check some of these hikes out and let me know what you think!
This is our invincible stroller! We love it and still use it in the winter, we've just added a Weather Shield
to protect Brie from the elements.
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