Durand Eastman Park

In 1908, landscape architect Bernard H. Slavin began designing Durand Eastman Park, which now covers 977 acres and features five artificial lakes: Durand, Eastman, Trimble, Trott, and Pat. Much of the land that became Durand Eastman Park was donated by George Eastman and Henry S. Durand, reflecting a shared belief that access to nature, fresh air, and open space should be part of everyday civic life.

For an easy arboretum stroll, walk the pedestrian-only stretch of roadway between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads. From the park, it’s easy to connect to the Lake Ontario shoreline. Cross Lakeshore Boulevard to reach the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail, a seven-mile route with paved sections and a portion of wetland boardwalk. Nearby, the City of Rochester manages the public swimming beach at Durand Eastman Beach.

Durand Eastman is also a go-to gathering place, with picnic pavilions throughout the park and a woodland playground. Golf is part of the park’s long story as well—the course was redesigned by golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Durand Eastman Park’s Arboretum

The arboretum is located between Zoo Road and Sweet Fern Road. Rochester Gardening published a helpful inventory and history of the collection. You can also watch for guided walks offered by Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension in spring and fall.

Even if you don’t know tree names, the arboretum is easy to appreciate: tall conifers in the pinetum, flowering and fruiting specimens in the fruiticetum, and pockets of mature canopy that feel noticeably cooler and quieter in summer. If you enjoy slow looking, this is a great place to revisit across seasons—buds and early bloom in spring, layered greens in summer, and bark texture and evergreen structure in winter.

Hiking

To explore Durand Eastman beyond the overlooks, walking is the best way to experience the park’s woods and lakes. Biking works well on park roads, but most hiking trails are for foot travel. There are three main lake trails, each with its own feel—from rugged and rooty to mellow and wanderable.

Where to start: If you’re visiting for the first time, choose your starting point based on what you want most. For a quick arboretum stroll, start on the pedestrian-only stretch between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads. For a classic lake loop, begin at a trailhead for Durand Lake or Eastman Lake and build in time for pauses at overlooks and boardwalk sections. If you’re here for the shoreline, head toward Durand Eastman Beach and connect to the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail.

Trail conditions: Expect a mix of packed dirt, leaf-covered single-track, and rooty, uneven footing—especially on the Durand Lake loop. After rain or snowmelt, low areas can be muddy, and narrow sections may feel slick under wet leaves. In winter, traction is helpful on shaded slopes and along lake edges. If you prefer a smoother outing, stick with paved park roads and overlook stops.

Best loops

Arboretum loop (easy, flexible): Stroll the pedestrian-only roadway between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads and connect through nearby paths in the arboretum. This loop is ideal for a shorter visit, early spring exploration, or late fall walks when footing elsewhere may be muddy.

Eastman Lake loop (easy to moderate): This 1.5-mile loop offers rolling terrain, consistent lake views, and excellent birdwatching. It’s a great choice in all seasons and works well for visitors looking for a scenic walk without technical footing.

Durand Lake loop (moderate): More rugged than Eastman Lake, this 1.2-mile loop includes narrow paths, exposed roots, and steeper slopes. Choose this route if you want a quieter, more wooded experience that feels removed from the park’s open areas.

Lakes and shoreline combination (longer outing): Combine an Eastman or Durand Lake loop with a walk toward Durand Eastman Beach or a short stretch of the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail for a half-day visit that highlights both woodland and shoreline landscapes.

Best with kids

Arboretum walks: The pedestrian-only roadway between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads is one of the easiest places to explore with kids. The wide surface, gentle grades, and ability to turn back at any point make it well suited for short attention spans, strollers, and casual wandering.

Eastman Lake loop: This loop is a good choice for families with older children who enjoy walking a bit farther. The rolling terrain keeps things interesting, wildlife sightings are common, and there are frequent places to stop and rest along the water’s edge.

Playground and picnic areas: Durand Eastman has a woodland playground and multiple picnic pavilions, making it easy to combine a short walk with unstructured play or a meal. This works especially well for birthday gatherings or multigenerational outings.

What to skip with younger kids: The Durand Lake Trail can be challenging for little ones due to narrow paths, exposed roots, and steeper slopes. Save this loop for older children or adults looking for a more rugged hike.

Durand Lake Trail

The 1.2-mile Durand Lake Trail is moderately difficult, with rolling hills, narrow stretches, steep slopes, and exposed roots. It feels more rugged than the Eastman Lake loop, especially in the hemlocky sections. On the southern end, look for corduroy—short log paths laid over wet ground.

Hemlocks and firs give this loop a satisfying winter character, and in warmer seasons you’ll notice ferns, shrubs, and small wildflowers along the edges—witch hazel is a highlight. In autumn, beech, sassafras, maple, and oak bring on the color.

Trott Lake Trail

This half-mile loop is a pleasant woodland walk with small, rolling hills. A few narrow sections have steep sides, so take care if the trail is wet or leaf-covered. Along the way, you’ll pass a mix of pine, striped maple, cherry, oak, birch, spruce, tulip, and sassafras. Look for seasonal details too—ferns, fungi, and (when conditions are right) Indian pipe. In late June, the southeastern section can surprise you with rhododendrons in bloom.

Eastman Lake Trail

The trail is an easy 1.5-mile walk with rolling terrain that provides breathtaking views in all seasons. The lake is named after George Eastman, the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company. George Eastman and Dr. Henry S. Durand donated the park’s land.

While strolling along the edge of the lake, look for waterfowl, warblers, painted turtles, and various frog and toad species, particularly during spring and fall migrations. It is an excellent spot for birdwatching.

The path is decorated with seasonal wildflowers and an assortment of ferns. Sunlight filters through the canopy of maple, cherry, oak, tulip, sassafras, and beech trees, showcasing a breathtaking array of colors during the fall season. During winter, the frozen lake, evergreen hemlock and pine trees, and the unique textures of the different tree trunks make this walk a beautiful experience.

The White Lady’s Castle

The “White Lady’s Castle” is often mistaken for a real castle, but it’s actually the remaining façade of a former beachside restaurant called Three Lakes Pavilion. The legend lives on, though—locals still tell stories of a grieving mother and her wolf-like hounds appearing in the night mist.

The marker reads: “The White Lady: Grieving woman’s ghost and her wolf-like hounds appear in the night mist searching the roadside for her lost daughter.”

Durand Eastman Beach

At Lot A near Horseshoe Road, you’ll find the designated swimming area along the 5,000-foot sandy shoreline of Lake Ontario. Enjoy a walk on the boardwalk leading up to Seabreeze Amusement Park.

Autumn in Durand Eastman Park

I love the forest in fall: fewer bugs, brighter color, and that sweet scent of decaying leaves—almost like cotton candy.

Cotton candy?

Yes. In early November, katsura leaves turn apricot and lemon and often smell like burnt sugar and marshmallow. Katsura Glen on Zoo Road is a perfect place to notice it—and a great starting point for a loop around the lakes.

Between October 25 and November 10 is the ideal time to experience the best of autumn’s beauty.

What to look for: Long, low-angle light through the canopy, leaf color reflected on the lake surface, and the contrast between evergreen hemlocks and bright hardwoods. The woods feel more open after leaf drop, which makes the park’s shape—ridges, slopes, and curves—easier to notice.

Where to go first: Start near Zoo Road if you want an easy walk with standout trees and strong color. If you’re hoping for water views, loop around Durand or Eastman Lake and plan to stop at overlooks—fall is a season for pauses here.

Early Spring in Durand Eastman Park

During springtime, my second favorite time to explore Durand Eastman is when the trees and daffodils bloom.

What to look for: Snowmelt swelling the wetlands, fresh green at the forest floor, and the first small flowers along sunny edges. Early spring is also when texture stands out—moss, bark, buds, and the pattern of branches before the canopy fills in.

Where to go first: Begin with an arboretum walk if you want an easy, low-mud outing, then add a short lake loop if conditions are dry enough. If trails are wet, stick to park roads and the shoreline connections for a satisfying early-season walk without the slip-and-slide.

Best spring hikes

Arboretum and Zoo Road area: Early spring is ideal for exploring the arboretum, when buds, early blossoms, and emerging leaves make the variety of trees easier to notice. The pedestrian-only stretch between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads is especially pleasant before summer crowds arrive.

Eastman Lake loop: Spring brings migrating birds, active amphibians, and fresh green growth along the water’s edge. This loop offers good visibility before the canopy fills in and tends to dry out earlier than narrower woodland trails.

Boardwalks and wetlands: Wetland areas are particularly lively in spring, with moving water, frogs calling, and early wildflowers along sunny edges. Stick to boardwalk sections and well-used paths when conditions are muddy.

More information about Durand Eastman Park

Cost: Free

Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)

Quick visit: 45–60 minutes for a simple arboretum stroll. 90–120 minutes for a lake loop with photo stops. Half-day if you combine lakes, the arboretum, and the shoreline trail.

Accessibility: Paved park roads and sections of the shoreline trail are accessible, while most woodland trails include uneven footing, roots, and slopes.

Seasonal closures: Some park roads, including Log Cabin Road, close to vehicles after October 31 and reopen in spring. Pedestrian access remains open.

Winter use: The park remains open year-round for walking, hiking, and quiet exploration. Snow-covered trails and frozen lakes offer a different perspective on the landscape.

Dogs: Leashed dogs are permitted in Durand Eastman Park. Be mindful of narrow trails and wildlife, especially near lakes and wetlands.

Fishing: Fishing is permitted in the lakes in accordance with New York State regulations.

Trail etiquette: Stay on marked paths, respect wildlife, and be prepared for shared use with walkers, runners, and anglers.

More Information: monroecounty.gov
The cutest little pocket guide!
cityofrochester.gov

Where is your favorite spot in Durand Eastman Park?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.