The 20-acre Seneca Park Zoo is a small portion of the 300-acre county park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893. The zoo operates a seasonal ZooTram shuttle, transporting visitors between the extreme ends of the park for a nominal one-way fee. Many people walk through the zoo and take the tram to the main entrance, appreciating Seneca Park’s scenic views.
Beyond the zoo, you will find a trout pond surrounded by pavilions, a playground, and hiking trails. The north trail leads toward Lake Ontario over a tiny but steep waterfall, with several risky descents to the river’s edge using deteriorating wood steps. The south trail ends at the scenic Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge, part of the Genesee River Trail, which spans the river to connect with Maplewood Park.
Seneca Park Zoo in summertime
Naturally, everything is more active during the non-winter months. The animals spend more time outside, there are increased numbers of visitors walking about, the Tram is in operation, and more events take place, such as Zoo Brew.
A wonderful wintertime walk
The Seneca Park Zoo remains open throughout the year. Some animals, such as polar bears and Amur tigers, embrace the long, cold Rochester winters, while others prefer to stay inside or in a den.
Olmsted Trail North
1 mile (one way)
This trail runs along the river, almost reaching Lake Ontario. There are three optional paths to descend to the riverside. A sign at the landing reads, “Olmsted Landing: A park should be accessible to both the poor and the rich. It should embody the beauty of fields, meadows, prairies, or green pastures, and the still waters. What we aim for is to provide tranquility and rest for the mind.”
Olmsted Trail South
0.7 mi. (one way)
Trout Pond is the starting point for both the North and South trails. The South trail concludes at the Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge over the Genesee River, connecting Seneca to Maplewood, a park also designed by Olmsted. To access the bridge, there are stairs and ramps on both sides.
Helpful transportation
The Zoo offers a seasonal tram to transport visitors to the far ends of the park for a small fee. The fee is $2 for adults and $1 for youth and seniors each way. Please note that the tram does not pass through the zoo. The tram operates on weekends only from mid-April, daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and then back to weekends only during ZooBoo.
The pathway from the entrance to the Savanna is mainly downhill. I think most people walk through the park and then take the tram back to the entrance. There is a gift shop in the Savanna area where tickets can be purchased.
More information about Seneca Park
Cost: Free for the park; admission fee for the zoo. (see website for admission fees)
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More information on the park, plus a trail map
More information on the Zoo
Explore More
Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
26 Easy Winter Walks Around Rochester
Each destination offers a unique perspective of the Rochester area’s natural beauty, from snow-covered parks to picturesque waterfronts.
At Genesee Valley Park, the river merges with the Erie Canal and continues north through Rochester before reaching Lake Ontario.
Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks
Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities with a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.
What do you enjoy most about Seneca Park?
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Hey my name is Maurice Green I am 33 years old and I’ve been going on these trails for as long as I can remember if course my parents brought us first but as we got a little bit older me my brothers and friends started to do these trails on are bikes and the one to the zoo starts Maplewood rose garden this is a trail I’ve road a hundred times and now showing my kids I am now paralyzed and so glade I did them so many times and now my kids can