Allegany State Park, 

Bear Cave Trail, 

Mt. Seneca, Trail 2 *****

Visited May 26, 2023


Parking:  I used Google Maps to get to the Quaker Area Entrance for Allegany State Park, Allegany State Park Route ASP3 to enter the park from Route 83.  I parked off ASP3 near a creek after I saw the sign for the trail.

70s Fahrenheit; 12:22 PM - 3:00 PM with light breeze

No restrooms at the parking area or trail but if you drive a bit further down the road, there is a comfort station by the Indian Cabins.

There was no one at the gate collecting admission fees at 9:15 AM on this Friday morning of Memorial Day weekend but the sign posts the fee at $7.00.

Dogs are supposed to be on a leash.  Owners are supposed to pick up after their dogs and have the dog's rabies certificate available if asked to produce it. Wesley stayed home today.

The trail is well marked with one tricky intersection but a few steps to the left revealed the next trail marker.

I walked 4 miles with my friends on this trail.  We parked a car at each end of the trail.  This is one of our favorite Allegany Trails so far and this is one of my favorite hikes ever.  It reminds me of the red trail at Franklin Gulf Park in Erie County.  It had elevation changes, a variety of trees and plants, giant rock formations, and a babbling brook.  Of course, I am trying to factor in that I was with pretty special people but I believe that even if I was there by myself, I would have loved this walk even though I would have had to backtrack to return to my car.  Having a car at each end did make this an extra nice hike.  My friend Melissa is a cancer warrior and being with her for this hike was special in too many ways to mention here.  I am so glad to have added that memory to my memory bank.  

The trail is mostly single-file with a natural surface.  There has been no significant rain for over a week so there was no mud on the trail. The trail included some steady and steep inclines with roots and rocks to watch for. This trail could be tricky and treacherous during times of significant rain.  I recommend a hat, long pants and bug spray.  Bugs were present but not a serious torment.

I believe trying to navigate this trail with a stroller would be a miserable experience due to the roots, rocks, and downed trees.

We only passed two groups of people on the trail for a total of five, if I remember correctly.  

I did not see trash on the trail.  

The mosquitos were not very pesky today.

Parking: Dirt with some gravel.  Small lot that might hold four or five vehicles.  

I saw and heard songbirds. I saw a squirrel and chipmunk.  There were mosses, ferns, mayapple, buttercups, forget me nots, blackberry briars, and a variety of tree species including cherry, shagbark hickory, oaks and maples.


Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/alleganyquaker/details.aspx


Trail Map PDF: https://store.avenza.com/products/allegany-state-park-trail-map-new-york-state-parks-map


This park hosts a Geocaching Bash in May.  

View at the Indian Camp Comfort Station

Pretty nice view from the restrooms

Creek by where we parked across from the trail sign

People included to show the scale of these huge rocks