Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area sits on a high ridge overlooking Honeoye Lake in the Finger Lakes region of Livingston County, New York. Established in 1962, this 1,589-acre recreation area trades the crowds of nearby state parks for quiet trails and sweeping valley views that reward every visit.

The park is best known for its extensive trail network, which serves hikers and mountain bikers in warmer months and transforms into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination once snow covers the hills. The Bear Cub Run and Sidewinder trails offer moderate terrain through mixed hardwood forests, while the Big Oak trail leads to one of the park’s finest overlooks — a panoramic vantage point where Honeoye Lake stretches out below and the rolling Finger Lakes hills fade into the distance.

Bird watchers will find the mix of forest and open meadow productive, particularly during spring and fall migration. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and red-tailed hawks are common sightings along quieter stretches of trail. Hunting is permitted in designated areas during season.

The park does not offer developed campgrounds, so plan this as a day trip and base yourself in nearby Honeoye or Canadice for overnight stays. Facilities are minimal — portable restrooms and small parking areas at trailheads — so pack what you need.

Visit in mid-October for peak fall color against the lake backdrop, or in January after a fresh snowfall when the groomed ski trails are at their best. This is a locals’ favorite that most tourists drive right past.

Explore Nearby

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• Finger Lakes National Forest — National Forest in New York
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• Great Lakes Seaway Trail — Scenic Byway in New York