Exploring the Natural Beauty of Binghamton University Nature Preserve: Trails and Map

While some universities might not fully recognize the educational potential of nature, Binghamton University stands out by dedicating 182 acres to the Binghamton University Nature Preserve. This valuable resource benefits students, faculty, and the broader community, offering a diverse range of trails and natural environments to explore. The preserve is a treasure, providing a variety of trails suitable for both casual walks and more challenging hikes.

A Diverse Landscape

Central to the 190-acre Nature Preserve is Harpur Pond and the surrounding marshland. The preserve encompasses a variety of environments, from wetlands and lowlands to a forested hill and elevated shrubland. As you venture south from the pond and marsh areas, the elevation increases by approximately 475 feet, leading you through wooded terrains. The trails manage this height gain with switchbacks. At the southernmost and highest point of the preserve lies shrubland. This diversity supports a wide array of plants and animals.

Featured Hike: The Figure-Eight Loop

Several intersecting trails explore Binghamton University Nature Preserve, creating numerous hiking options, like this one - a figure-eight loop on the easiest and most scenic trails around the wetlands in the middle of the preserve. This 2.6-mile hike showcases ponds, wetlands, and woods. It can also be altered and expanded to include other trails in the preserve. This hike features two major trails, Marsh Trail and Pond Trail, that shouldn’t be missed, as well as shorter sections of Pipeline Trail, Redwing Trail, Connector Trail, and Oak Trail to form the double loop. Along the belt of the figure-eight loop, the hike crosses the center of the wetlands twice, but you probably won’t mind this short repeat of the preserve’s main attraction. If you could only do one hike in Binghamton University Nature Preserve, this would be a good choice.

Trail Highlights

Redwing Trail

Descend the staircase into the forest below and follow the trail along the west side of the marsh, using short sections of boardwalk to keep your feet dry. Redwing Trail is marked with red signs and red spots painted on trees that border the trail. Look to your left through reeds and cattails across the marsh that you saw from the pavilion. Redwing Trail ends after 0.3 miles, coming to a T-junction with Connector Trail. The trail’s name isn’t hockey related. Instead, it’s a tribute to the red-winged blackbirds that sing lovely melodies throughout the wetlands.

Connector Trail

Bearing left onto Connector Trail, you’ll cross through a forest of deciduous trees set back from the marsh’s edge. Like the last trail, Connector Trail ends after 0.3 miles, reaching a T-junction with Oak Trail.

Oak Trail

Turn left to take a level 0.1-mile long stretch of Oak Trail leading to Pond Trail along the east side of the marsh. Right after you turn left on Oak Trail, look for a path on the left that goes down to the edge of Harpur Pond. This is a quiet place to look out over the wetland’s main pond. Cross a narrow boardwalk on Oak Trail to reach Pond Trail, a central trail in Binghamton University Nature Preserve. Marked in yellow, Oak Trail ascends a ridge to the right.

Pond Trail

Turn left to walk through the heart of the preserve on a raised boardwalk over the wetlands near Harpur Pond. From this trail, you’ll feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of the wetlands, with forest-lined marshes on all sides. This is definitely a park highlight, reached 0.85 miles from the start. Cross the boardwalk to a bench and find a path on the left to the edge of Harpur Pond. This is an ideal spot for taking in views across the water. Look for geese and smaller birds like eastern phoebe around the shore. Take Pond Trail to a junction with Marsh Trail, 0.95 miles from the start. Straight ahead, Pond Trail ventures into campus to College-in-the-Woods.

Marsh Trail

To continue exploring Binghamton University Nature Preserve, turn right down Marsh Trail and witness more wetlands, including another pond. It is worth noting that a couple paths shortcut the junction between Pond Trail and Marsh Trail. Walk along a wide, grassy path on Marsh Trail. A long cattail-lined pool borders the trail on the right, where you might spot turtles. On the right, a pond alongside the trail is fed by a stream flowing out of Harpur Pond. Past the pond, Marsh Trail slips though forest and comes to an end at a T-junction with another wide grassy Trail, Pipeline Trail.

Pipeline Trail

Turn right on Pipeline Trail. Walk downhill, across a bridge, and up to a junction with Ravine Trail, which is on the right. Pipeline Trail offers a convenient connection back to Pond Trail. As you proceed on Pipeline Trail, it becomes a bit different. Houses replace the greenery on the left. Pipeline Trail passes right behind these properties and it can feel you are walking through people’s backyards. You are on a trail though. Pipeline Trail comes to an end when it reaches Pond Trail, a quarter mile from Marsh Trail and 1.65 miles from the start.

Ravine Trail and Vernal Pool Trail

Ravine Trail passes through forest to connect to Pond Trail and you may find it to be a more pleasant alternative to Pipeline Trail. Near its start, Ravine Trail meets Vernal Pool Trail, which can also be used to reach Pond Trail, passing through the forest and a rainwater-filled pool.

Getting Started: Trailhead Locations

This loop can be picked up from two locations on campus and one off-campus trailhead.

Lot M Trailhead

The main on-campus starting point is Lot M, a parking area right next to the preserve that offers visitor parking. Leaving Lot M, you’ve got two obvious trail options leading into the preserve. Marsh Trail is on the east side of the lot (to the left as you face the preserve) next to a panel with a trail map. Redwing Trail is to the right next to a pavilion perched along West Access Road. Walk 0.05 miles to the pavilion and look out over the wetlands. Just past it, you’ll see steps down the bank and a sign for Redwing Trail.

Driving directions to the Lot M trailhead:

From Route 17, take exit 70 for Route 201 and Johnson City. Drive south on Route 201 for 1.5 miles, taking the flyover to a bridge over Susquehanna River toward Vestal. Drive to the end of Route 201 and go around a loop in the offramp to head east on Route 434. Make the first right at the trafic light and enter Binghamton University on Bartle Drive. Pass a visitor check-in station and stay to the right through a traffic circle onto West Drive. In 0.4 miles, turn right up Connector Road (toward Susquehanna Community). Drive 0.3 miles and turn right on West Access Road. Park in a row of spots that come immediately on the right. If these parking spaces are full, turn right and drop into a larger section of Lot M.

Lot M address: West Access Road, Binghamton University, Vestal, NY 13850

Lot M coordinates: 42.0848, -75.9728 (42° 05′ 05.28″N 075° 58′ 22.08″W)

College-in-the-Woods Trailhead

If you’re a student staying in the College-in-the-Woods Residence Halls, you can set out from your doorstep. Pond Trail begins at College-in-the-Woods and ventures a quarter mile to an intersection with Marsh Trail that is pivotal to this loop.

Driving directions to the College-in-the-Woods trailhead:

To approach this trailhead by car, enter Binghamton University on Bartle Drive. Pass a visitor check-in station and go around a traffic circle past West Drive to stay on Bartle Drive. In 0.2 miles, turn left on East Drive. Drive 0.4 miles and turn left up East Access Road. Make the first right into Lot O for College-in-the-Woods (parking restrictions apply). Walk southwest through College-in-the-Woods to Oneida Residence Hall and the start of Pond Trail.

College-in-the-Woods trailhead address: Oneida Residence Hall, Binghamton University, Vestal, NY 13850

College-in-the-Woods trailhead coordinates: 42.08535,-75.96767 (42° 05′ 07.25″N 075° 58′ 03.61″W)

Lehigh Avenue Trailhead

At the other end of Pond Trail on the eastern edge of the preserve, there is access from Lehigh Avenue, which has on-street parking. Stair Park is adjacent to the trailhead on Lehigh Avenue and presents a brief walk to a short waterfall.

Driving directions to the Lehigh Avenue trailhead:

Those starting from Lehigh Avenue can follow the directions from here. Hike west up Pond Trail into the preserve. This dirt single track has numerous sections of short boardwalks and wooden planks covering wet areas along the route. You’ll pass through four junctions on the way to Harpur Pond. First comes Ravine Trail on the right, taking a wooded 0.2-mile route back to Pipeline Trail. Next comes the east end of Oak Trail on the left. This trail is 0.45 miles long, going up a wooded hillside before returning to Pond Trail. Stay on Pond Trail, which weaves through forest, straightens out, and heads gradually downhill. Pass Vernal Pool Trail on the right, which is a 0.25-mile long single track and meets Ravine Trail near Pipeline Trail.

Hiking Directions for the Figure-Eight Loop (Starting from Lot M)

Walk up West Access Road from Lot M toward Redwing Trail (0 miles)
Turn left down Redwing Trail (0.05 miles)
Turn left on Connector Trail (0.35 miles)
Turn left on Oak Trail (0.65 miles)
Turn left on Pond Trail (0.75 miles)
Turn right on Marsh Trail, joining hikers from College-in-the-Woods (0.95 miles)
Turn right on Pipeline Trail (1.4 miles)
Turn right on Pond Trail, joining hikers from Lehigh Avenue (1.65 miles)
Turn left on Marsh Trail (2.3 miles)
Return to Lot M (2.6 miles)

Additional Trails and Exploration

Another way to see more of Binghamton University Nature Preserve is to explore the other trails along this loop. Ravine Trail, Vernal Pool Trail, and Oak Trail can all be added to this hike or explored on their own 1.15-mile venture. As Tolkien wrote, “Not all who wander are lost,” so take any trail that calls to you. Binghamton University Nature Preserve is the type of place that you can visit and just get lost for a couple hours (in a good way).

Important Information for Visitors

Distance: The double loop described here, taking Redwing Trail to Connector Trail to Oak Trail to Pond Trail to Marsh Trail to Pipeline Trail and back to Pond Trail and Marsh Trail is 2.6 miles long with 90 feet of elevation change. That distance applies when starting from Lehigh Avenue or Lot M. Add half a mile round trip if you start from College-in-the Woods. The side trip to the short waterfall in Stair Park adds about 0.15 miles to the hike too.
All the trails in Binghamton University Nature Preserve are color coded red, yellow, or blue, with no two trails of the same color intersecting (with one exception).
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on leashes in Binghamton University Nature Preserve but are not allowed in Stair Park.
Bikes: Bikes are not allowed in either park.
Permits: No permit is needed to hike in Binghamton University Nature Preserve.
Parking: Parking is free along Lehigh Avenue. Visitors can park in Lot M with a day pass costing $5. on Friday until Monday morning (all prices as of 2015).
Note, you'll want to follow BU visitor parking restrictions if parking in Lot M. Monday, no parking permit is needed to park in a valid parking space.
The trails are marked by colors but also named. Some signs will include both which is helpful since there are four blue trails, five red trails, etc.
Surface: Mixture of smooth paths and more uneven areas
Elevation: Mixture of relatively flat and then relatively steep sections

A Living Laboratory and Conservation Area

The area was designated "Nature Preserve" in the fall of 1969 and with motivation from student protests about parts of the area being turned into playing fields. While Binghamton University itself expanded in may ways over the decades, so did the Nature Preserve. Major purchases of land in 1985 and 1999. Check out this BU page for more history.

The preserve is one of BU's treasures. It has a nice variety of trails allowing for a casual walk or a steep hike up the hill. Likewise, there is diversity between the wetlands, lowlands, forested hill, and elevated shrub land. You're likely to see and hear a variety of animals and plants. At times you'll see a lot of other hikers on the lower trails. Spring time will bring a lot of mud, parts are called wetlands for a reason.

The Nature Preserve has a great mix of flat stable trails and much steeper trails. Several of the flat ones are also wide, lending themselves to hiking with a friend side by side. You'll see signs of beavers round the pond and marsh areas. Some of these trails get very muddy at times so leave your new white sneakers at home. The trails on the south side of the pond and marsh are often laced with roots and rocks, so watch your step. The fallen leaves in autumn may hide some of the sneakier roots. More so on the steeper sections. Some of the wettest parts have planks or boardwalks to keep you out of the mud. Just be careful as these getting slippery with rain and snow. Because of the steepness of some trails, it is advised to keep the XC-skiing in the lowlands. Also note that some trails are not the loops you expect. Please consult the map.

They also have many volunteer opportunities and an active Friends of the Nature Preserve group.

Wildlife Encounters

You're likely to see and hear a variety of animals and plants.

Creatures I've seen or heard:

Ruffed Grouse, White-tailed Deer, Porcupine, Eastern Garter Snake, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Tiger Frogs, Bull Frogs, Beaver, Turtles, and many more birds. In the spring you may notice salamanders. In fact, on some of the campus roads there are little ramps for them.

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