Touring & Camping on the Empire State Trail

I did the EST in July of this year (2025) and wrote up a trip report once I got back. Hopefully my info can be useful for people doing the trip. I did Niagara Falls back to NYC in about 9 days. I took a detour around some of the Finger Lakes in order to check out Watkins Glenn Park. Over all it was a great trip!

1. NYC (Amtrak to NF) to Niagara County Camp Resort  –  43m

• Highlights: Tonawanda, Lockport
• Diner: Uncle G’s Ice Cream
  • Great burger and fries, right off the trail
• Camping: Niagara County Camping Resort
  • Expensive, but the only option. Does a deal for bikers.

1. Niagara County CR  to Canandaigua  –  106m

• Highlights: Genesee Riverway Trail, Brockport
• Diner: Sunrise Cafe
  • Pretty average, but close to the campground
• Camping: Creek N Wood Campground
  • Owner let me stay for free because he’s a cyclist. Try to stay here if you can!

1. Canandaigua to Watkins Glen – 64m

• Highlights: Watkins Glen!
• Diner: Patty’s Place
  • Best sausages and hashbrowns. Great hosts!
• Camping: Watkins Glen Campground
  • Attendant let me stay for free because I showed up at sunset and left the next morning. Would be easy to sneak in after dark.

1. Watkins Glen to Filmore Glen  –  55m

• Highlights: Taughannock Falls, Black Diamond Trail, Ithaca, Fillmore Glen Hiking
• Diner: Tobey’s Donut Shop
  • Best coffee, but got a slightly MAGA vibe
• Camping: Fillmore Glen Campground
  • Easy to sneak in and out on the bike. Gas Station across the street

1. Filmore Glen to Green Lakes st park  –  58m

• Highlights: Anderson’s Farm Market, Green Lakes
• Diner: Barb’s Diner
  • Cheapest and great quality
• Camping: Green Lakes st Park
  • Average price, gorgeous lake with swimming and hiking, crowded and noisy.

1. Green Lakes to Sprakers  –  99m

• Highlights: Heelpath Brewing Co, Little Falls
• Diner: Darlene’s Kitchen
  • Worst diner of the trip. Skip it if possible.
• Camping: Sprakers Reformed Church
  • The church runs a free shelter program for bike tourists. Free snacks, water, and bathroom

1. Sprakers to Albany  –  70m

• Highlights: Free theater in Washington Park
• Diner: Michael’s Diner
  • Best pancakes! Amazing prices and owner. Right off the trail.
• Camping: Washington Park Inn
  • Worth the money. Free laundry and food included. Centrally located.

1. Albany to Sam Pryor st Park  –  91m

• Highlights: Bard College Waterfall
• Diner: Free breakfast at hotel. Fuel up!
• Camping: Samuel Pryor st. Park
  • Most expensive campground of the trip/ least worth it.

1. Sam Pryor to Ridgewood Queens  –  118m

• Highlights: Poughkeepsie Bridge
• Diner: B Side Cafe
  • Main Street Cafe was my first choice, but it was closed.
• Camping: My own bed
  • Nothing beats it.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51602822