×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 15 mi (24.1 km)
Surface: Doubletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +908/ -808 ft
Total: 36 riders
Mountain Biking Bear Swamp
#93 of 301 mountain bike trails in New York
Not many blow-downs but they do get cleared periodically. Can be lots of mud at times. Some truck trails to ride on for beginners.
First added by on May 25, 2004. Last updated May 7, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Go north out of Cortland on 281. Turn left on to 41, go a few miles, turn left on to 41A. Go just past Semproneous and turn into the Colonial Lodge (good eats). Park and ride. There is a map of the trails, might be able to get it at the Lodge.
I was there yesterday (Sunday 7/9/17) and had a great ride. Trails in good shape, not as much mud as I had expected. The micro mud bogs were full but they always are, the trails were ok. Not a lot of downed trees or horse apples. The horse flies are a great training tool, they keep you moving.
| ThankGood place to get a cardio workout.
I have been to Bear Swamp State Forest Park 3 times over the past 2 years. Nothing technical at all that I have found, but it is a good place to test your cardio fitness as there is a fair amount of climbing.
Do not confuse this with Great Bear park in Phoenix NY. This is Bear Swamp in Sempronius/Moravia NY. Google Colonial Lodge, Moravia NY to find the nearest trail heads.
PROS:
~Not technical (also could be a con depending upon your point of view)
~Good place to take a MTB newbie, so long as they are in good shape.
~Natural & Scenic. You are definitely out in nature on this trail. Good place to meditate relax and reflect while riding.
~ Good for XC. if XC MTB is your thing then this is your place. (Trails are also very good for XC skiing in winter).
CONS:
| Thank~Not Technical at all. see Pros above :-)
~Horse crap is EVERYWHERE! I have never seen a horse on these trails but apparently the trails are very popular with the horseback crowd who don't pick up after their steeds.
~Some trails are overgrown due to lack of use.
It took me a couple tries to find the best starting point. Enter Iowa Rd to Bear Swamp road. Go north 1/4 mile and parking / trail map on your right. Takes you right to trails and you get to finish going down hill.
| ThankMaybe I didn't hit the right trail head? I tried two separate entries and both were extremely unruly and Not groomed. I would like to try again.
| ThankPretty gnarly trail - would have liked to spend a little more time but a thunderstorm rolled in and cut my ride a little short. Single track trails were muddy and some roots hidden within. Other sections were not as muddy and a lot of fun - some mainly straight down hills but one section of downhill was really flowy. Would love to get back here when it's a little drier, but I sense that this place is always a little muddy. The kind of place you want to keep moving or the bugs will have you for lunch.
| ThankBest kept secret in New York! This is where I learned to ride. Multiple use area, everybody's friendly-except some o' dem backwoods boys on motorized vehicles... Yes, do go there with someone who knows the place. Climbs are killer, and there are very swoopy and technical trails if you know where they are. I have ridden at the swamp all day over 20 miles and never ridden over my own tracks!! Watch the horse dookie.
| Thank