My 5 Favorite hikes with my dog in Jefferson County, NY.
These 4 New York State Parks/Forests are some of my favorite places to walk and take gorgeous photos of your dogs! Okay, the first one is actually in Oswego County, but very close to me.
1) Selkirk Shores Sate Park near Pulaski, NY borders Lake Ontario and is located off of Rt. 3. It has 10 miles trails which are well marked and well kept. The Lakeshore Trail runs along -well, the lakeshore- and is paved. Watch the sunset after your evening walk! A short favorite of mine is Goosefoot to Marsh Rim Loop and back on Frog Pond Trail. Some trails such as Blue forest and Pine Grove go deep into the forest and you may not see another person on your entire walk. Surprisingly I have never found myself attacked by mosquitoes or other bugs, including ticks. We always see wildlife including squirrels, songbirds, eagles, and waterfowl. **During hunting season the main park is safe and hunting areas are well marked.
FREE (as of 2025)
https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/SelkirkShoresTrailMap.pdf
Silhouette at Selkirk Shores State Park
2) Robert Wehle State Park in Henderson Harbor, NY is meant for dogs! Originally an estate and kennel/training ground for Mr. Wehle’s prestigious pointers, it is now a park for walking your dogs! There is a fenced in area, many trails, playground, picnic area, house to rent, and tennis court. Some of the trails run along a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario. A popular walk is to follow the gravel road from the visitor center to the picnic area along the banks of Lake Ontario, then return along the Snakefoot Trail back to the parking area.
**There are waste bags at the parking area to take with you.
***During hunting season the areas near the parking lot, playground, and part of the gravel road are off limits to hunters. Hunting areas are well-marked.
***FREE
https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/RobertGWehleTrailMap.pdf
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/robertwehle/details.aspx
3) Winona Forest is a 10,000 acre state forest in Mannsville, NY with many miles of trails. Best suited for fall and winter. In the summer mosquitoes and deer flies take over! But, this is a beautiful place to snowshoe or cross country ski with your pup. Imagine snow covered pine trees and well groomed trails to glide along!
There are several parking lots to start from. My favorite is to park at the CCC camp. Some of my favorite trails are Pussycat to Goldspike, Stonewall, Franks Fancy, and Norway. Best to screenshot/print off a map before you leave home.
*I avoid hunting season
https://www.winonaforest.com
Norway Trail in Winona Forest
4) Southwick Beach State Park in Henderson, NY is located along the shores of Lake Ontario and offers walks through both the beach and the woods. There are miles of sandy beach to walk, but please stay off the protected dunes. There are also trails that lead to the beach and even to Lakeview Wildlife Management Center.
https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/SouthwickBeachTrailMap.pdf
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/southwickbeach/maps.asp
Miles of beach to walk At Southwick Beach State Park
5) Minna Anthony Common Nature Center at Wellsley Island State Park is my go to in the fall during hunting season because No hunting is allowed in the Nature Center. But, it is beautiful anytime of year! There are 9 miles of trails. The trails close to the nature center are flat and ADA accesible, but do become rockier as you head further out. There are beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River, large moss covered rocks, marshes, and even a butterfly house! Well marked trails and beautiful scenery make this a perfect place to take your pup! Dogs are welcome in the nature center which has flush toilets, maps, gifts. Consider leaving a donation in the donation box.
https://parks.ny.gov/environment/nature-centers/2/details.aspx
Posing in Minna Anthony Common Nature Center
I hope you get your pup out to enjoy some of these trails, if not all of them. Wherever you roam with your pup, please follow leash rules and pick up after them.
Trail at Minna Anthony Common Nature Center