Backbone Trailhead

The Backbone Trail begins at the Backbone Horse Campground. The trail traverses the Forest through shrub-lands, pastures, old roads, and many old homestead sites. It intersects the Interloken and Burnt Hill Trails to the south and the No-Tan-Takto trail to the north. It is a relatively flat, primitive trail with natural tread, gravel in wet places, and traverses through fenced pastures.

Please close gates behind you.

From the north, the Backbone Trail can be accessed at the corner of Ball Diamond Road and Wardner Corner Road, at the Foster Pond parking lot, or at several other locations. Follow the signs and blaze marks.

General Information

Open year round for hiking. Horseback riding is allowed all year except for March 15 - May 1st due to muddy conditions. Snowmobiles allowed when conditions permit.

No fees are required for this site

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 42.514722

Longitude: -76.789811

Directions

From the South, take State Route 14 North (Exit 52 off State Route 17) to Watkins Glen, NY. In Watkins Glen, turn right at the Fourth St intersection onto State Route 414 North. Go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest. 0.5 miles past the Ranger Station, turn right on Schuyler County Route 2. Travel 3.5 miles east. The Backbone Horse Campground is on the left, opposite the intersection with Burnt Hill Road. Park in the campground, near the trail head.

From the North, take State Route 414 South to Hector, NY (Exit 41 off I-90). In Hector, 1 mile past the Dandy Mini Mart, turn left onto County Route 2. Travel 3.5 miles east. The Backbone Campground is on the left, opposite the intersection with Burnt Hill Road. Park in the campground, near the trail head.