There are several trailheads and several places to park your car at Black Creek Park, one of the largest of Monroe County’s 20 parks, second only to Mendon. If you research it online or ask people along the way, you’ll find the trails are not well marked and some are always muddy.
We took a number of detours on our last trip and found ourselves following what we now believe to have been bike trails. GPS, hiker advice and backtracking the way we came ultimately took us on a 6-mile walk. It’s a relatively flat hike on the Ridge Trail. Where we went off trail was trying to connect from the Ridge to the Creek Trail near Chili-Riga Townline Road. That’s an adventure for another day!
Take a Black Creek Park trail map
Before heading out to Black Creek Park, grab the park map and trail map.
The Ridge Trail
A 1.4 (one-way) mile walk over gently rolling terrain filled with honeysuckle, autumn olive, and many other beautiful shrubs. While on the trail look for the trees from Green’s Nursery, which was in existence 100 years ago.
The Creek Trail
A 3.1 (one-way) mile walk that passes alongside a beautiful little pond, which is the seasonal home to many geese and ducks. This trail also takes you through fields of honeysuckle, dogwood and many other types of greenery.
The Hickory Trail
A 1.4 mile walk over flat terrain which is full of multi-flora rose and dogwood shrubs. Many different birds can be seen in this area. The trail ends in Maple and Hickory woods which has an impressive collection of shagbark hickory trees.
The Bluebird Trail
A 1.2 mile walk that winds among honeysuckle, hawthorn and dogwood shrubs. This walk is good for bird watchers all year round.
The Wetland Trail
A 2.1 (one-way) mile walk that is dotted with wild flowers that attract butterflies. This trail also has many unique plants and trees that change with the seasons.
Black Creek boat launch
Scenes from these and several unnamed trails
Enjoy a picnic or a stroll around the pond!
More information about Black Creek Park
- Cost: Free
- Located in North Chili, roughly 20 minutes / 15 miles from Rochester (get directions)
- More information: monroecounty.gov/parks-blackcreek
Where are your favorite spots in Black Creek Park?
Share with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!
In reference to the very first photograph at the top of the story about Black Creek Park; that is a stick structure. It’s a curious phenomenon. The one you took a picture of is not the only one in the park.
Fascinating! I’ll keep an eye out for more! I had assumed it was created by a scout troop. Wondering now about the rest of the story.