Buckhorn Island State Park

TRAIL MAP
Location:               Grand Island, Erie County   
Directions:            If heading south on I-190, take exit 20A. Turn left and follow East River Road to the parking areas. If traveling north onI-190, take exit 20. Turn west on Long Road, then right (N) on West River Parkway. This will turn into East River Road and lead to the parking areas.
Length:                 Long Trail - 5.1 miles round trip
                              Unmaintained side loop - 0.5 mile
Difficulty:              Novice
Terrain:                 Flat
Trail Markings:    None (a portion of the trail is orange blazed as part of the FLT Conservation Trail)
Uses:                     Skiing, Snowshoeing, Hiking
Amenities:             None
Dogs:                     OK on leash (must clean up after pet)
Admission:             Free
Hours:                    Dawn to dusk
Contact:                 Buckhorn Island State Park, c/o Beaver Island State Park
                                2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island, NY  14072
                                (716) 773-3271

For Snow Conditions Call:  (716) 773-3271

Buckhorn Island State Park sits at the northwest point of Grand Island. It’s an island by virtue of Burnt Ship Creek which bisects this 895 acres of marsh, meadows, and woods. The Long Trail leads along the shoreline of the Niagara River, under the North Grand Island Bridge, to the tip of a jetty. It affords great views of the river, other shorelines, marshes, many flocks of resident geese, ducks, and gulls.

The Niagara River corridor was officially designated an “Important Bird Area” in December, 1996. Nineteen species of gulls have been found here, representing almost half of the world’s 45 species. The area is also on the migration route for 25 species of waterfowl. Many even overwinter along the river. That makes a winter trip to Buckhorn Island State Park a special treat. The most numerous gulls found here are Bonaparte’s gull, ring-billed gull, and herring gull. The most common waterfowl to be found are greater scaup, common mergansers, and canvasbacks. Be sure to take your binoculars.

Buckhorn Island State Park is slated for major improvements beginning in 2001, designed to make the park more accessible and to improve wildlife viewing. The improvements include additional observation areas, parking areas, and trails. A trail specifically designed for bicycles will be built, with access from North Grand Island Bridge.

   Trail Map            
                                              Trail beside Niagara River in Buckhorn Island State Park

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