Snow Trekking Across the Urban Landscape: Top 8 City Snowshoe Trails
For outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the winter wilderness, the Northeast United States offers a variety of urban snowshoe hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience. Here are some of the best options:
West Hartford Reservoir, Connecticut
Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the West Hartford Reservoir spans over 3,000 acres of forest, featuring over 30 miles of trails and roads. This expansive park includes a section of the New England Trail (Metacomet Trail). For those seeking a challenge, snowshoers can choose between the Red Road Loop (3.4 miles) or the Yellow Loop (2 miles). For an extra challenge, snowshoers can connect to the New England Trail from the Red Road Loop. The trails loop back into the woods, around several reservoirs, making for a picturesque winter hike.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Situated in Brooklyn, New York, Prospect Park boasts 585 acres and is home to the city's only forest. The park offers snowshoers the opportunity to explore the Lullwater and Peninsula paths around Prospect Lake. The ravine, west of Center Drive, is a central location in the park with streams and waterfalls. For a shorter option, snowshoers can follow Forbidden Drive along the base of the gorge.
Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia
Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia offers 57 miles of trails and is a year-round haven for outdoor lovers. The trails wind up and down both sides of the gorge, providing a surprising challenge for snowshoers. For those seeking a longer hike, the Lavender Trail offers a 7-mile loop that covers both sides of the gorge.
Central Park, New York
Central Park in New York offers a 3-mile point-to-point hike from West 59th to East 110th streets. The hike includes passing by Merchants' Gate, Sheep Meadow, Summit Rock, the reservoir, Conservatory Garden, and Duke Ellington Circle.
Best Urban Snowshoe Hiking Trails in the Northeast
While some of the listed parks are more suburban or peri-urban than deeply urban, they provide accessible, well-maintained snowshoe hiking experiences within or near Northeastern towns and cities. For those seeking more urbanized snowshoe trails in dense city settings, additional local park systems in larger cities may offer maintained paths but are less highlighted for snowshoeing.
For cities like Boston, New York City, or Philadelphia, snowshoeing often requires travel to nearby state parks or outdoor centers similar to those above rather than within dense urban cores.
Beyond the City Limits
For a truly urbanized snowshoeing experience, consider the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham, New Hampshire, located at the base of Mt. Washington Auto Road. This trail system offers over 20 km of groomed trails plus 25 km of additional un-groomed off-track ski and snowshoe trails that are dog-friendly.
Maine Huts & Trails in Western Maine, while more backcountry than strictly urban, provides over 50 miles of well-maintained multi-use trails year-round, ideal for snowshoeing with eco lodges for rest.
St. Albans Town Forest in Vermont offers a moderate-to-advanced 4.1-mile trail network through extensive woods with scenic views, suitable for a day snowshoe hike close to town amenities.
These locations represent some of the more accessible and popular winter trail options that balance proximity to towns with robust trail offerings. Happy snowshoeing!
In West Hartford, Connecticut, the West Hartford Reservoir provides an excellent opportunity for home-and-garden enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor-living, offering over 30 miles of trails and roads, good for a winter hike and also connecting to the New England Trail (Metacomet Trail) for a more challenging experience.
On the other hand, Central Park in New York is a great urban destination for a snowshoe hike, offering a 3-mile point-to-point trail encompassing various attractions such as Merchants' Gate, Sheep Meadow, Summit Rock, the reservoir, Conservatory Garden, and Duke Ellington Circle.
