Blueberry Hill – Elizabethtown, NY

Location: Elizabethtown, New York, in Essex County

Brochure: Blueberry Hill Trails

Google map: Map

Trail map: Map with trail descriptions can be downloaded at Trail map

Description: Blueberry Hill is located in the beautiful Champlain Valley of upstate New York. There are over 12 miles of trails on hundreds of acres of forest. Twelve miles doesn’t sound like much, but with all the different loops you can easily spend a few days exploring them. Allowable uses include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Primitive camping is allowed and the larger parking areas could accommodate horse camping. There are no services – no water, no outhouses, no corrals. Fires are not allowed.

Terrain: The terrain is mostly hilly, with some flat sections. The footing varies from soft grassy terrain to firm sandy trails to rocky and steep. Many trails are not difficult for horses, but some are very steep and rocky and might not be appropriate for all horses and riders.

Access: There are 2 access points, Lord Rd. (which has car parking only, no trailer parking) and Bronson Way off of Roscoe Rd, with several large parking areas. Put the following address into your GPS: 1 Bronson Way, Elizabethtown, NY. After turning onto Bronson Way, go past the horse farm and continue on the gravel road into the woods. See below for parking.

If you have a big rig and go via downtown Elizabethtown, take Water St. off Rt. 9, turn right on Cross St., then go left on Roscoe Rd., at the fork bear right to stay on Roscoe Rd., then turn left on Bronson Way (by doing this you will avoid having to make a hairpin turn onto Lord Rd. from Rt. 9N).

Parking: All the parking suitable for horse trailers is on Bronson Way. Please do not park on Lord Rd. as this is a main access point for hikers and there is very limited parking. See notes regarding parking areas labeled on trail map below. The black line is Bronson Way.

Blueberry Hill map2

Lot A: very good trailer parking. Lot is about 90′ x 90′ with a sandy surface and access to the lovely Hemlock trail.

Lot B: not big enough for a horse trailer.

Lot C: Has 2 sections – the upper section is about 80′ x 30′ and has a good sandy surface. The lower area is about 75′ x 75′ but the surface is softer sand so check it out before parking there.

Lot D: Very large lot, about 120′ x 120′ with a good sandy surface. People party here (and have illegal fires) so look out for broken glass, nails, and other hazards, especially around the fire pits.

Lot E: not big enough for trailers.

Aerial photos courtesy of Google maps.

Restrictions and warnings:

  • Mountain-bikers and hikers also enjoy the trail system.
  • There are many narrow unmarked trails – the Town asks that you stay off these trails because they might be incomplete or on private property. You are also more likely to run into a mountain-biker because many of these trails have been built for this use.
  • Hunting is allowed in the trail system, so know when hunting seasons are (Click here) and either don’t go during hunting season or take appropriate precautions.
  • If you plan to bring a large group or hold an event, please check with the Town of Elizabethtown first.
  • Fires are not allowed.
  • There is no water on the trail system.
  • Please sign the register on the way in – it’s important to demonstrate that horseback riders use the property, or we might lose this privilege in the future.
  • According to a frequent trail user, there can be ground bees from the end of August to first hard frost – to minimize the risk of encountering them stay on the more frequently used (wider) trails.
  • You will probably encounter branches overhanging the trails so we recommend wearing eye protection.
  • In an emergency, the people at the horse farm on Bronson Way just after you turn in from Roscoe Rd. may be able to provide assistance (we include this with their permission).
  • Trail and road conditions can change at any time. The actual conditions you encounter may differ from the information presented here. Horseback riding is inherently dangerous and you must employ independent judgement and use the information herein at your own risk. By accessing this site, you acknowledge and accept these limitations and agree to hold harmless Horse Trail Chicks, Monica Raymond, and Kerrie Garvey, from any liability, damages, injury, or death that result from using this information.

Horse Trail Chicks’ most favorite trails:

  • Buggy Trail – we always gallop this trail (uphill direction) – watch video here
  • Hemlock Trail
  • Moss Cut
  • Hulbert Trail
  • Upper Liberty – we walk this trail, due to footing

Horse Trail Chicks’ least favorite trails: we actually kind of love these because they both have great views up top but they are steep and rocky so we worry about our horses on them. Only take them if you have a very sure-footed horse

  • Blueberry lean-to – steep and rocky
  • Giant View – steep and rocky