Allegany State Park, Tornado Area Trail

Visited May 2026

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.  We turned left off of ASP3 onto ASP1 and the trail was on the right before we reached Bear Springs Trail.  We parked in a small natural-surfaced parking area near the sign about the tornado area. 

70s Fahrenheit; approximately 1:12 PM - 2:12 PM

No restrooms at the parking area or trail but if you drive a bit further down ASP3 there is a comfort station by the Indian Cabins.

There was no one at the gate collecting admission fees at 9:05 AM on the Friday morning of Memorial weekend, but there was someone at the gate when I left on Sunday around noon.

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 has blue markers on it.  It heads out, then loops.

I walked 1.71 miles with my friends on this trail.  I did not check the elevation changes but there was very little hill climbing.  This trail was a natural surface with no bridges so we used stepping stones to cross the creek.  There were a couple wobbly ones so my trekking poles were very helpful in ensuring my footing. I really enjoyed this trail.  There were so many mossy rocks and stumps, and to the left of the trail a large fallen tree's root ball had pulled up huge rocks with its roots.  The trail was very peaceful and our small group had the trail to ourselves.  Seeing nature bouncing back from the fierce winds of a tornado was a lesson in perserverance that quietly offered hope with each step.

The trail is mostly single file with a natural surface.  The trail had some wet and muddy spots but nothing that seriously impacted footing. I wore a hat, long pants and bug spray. I also wore a bug net which has improved my enjoyment of the outdoors over the past few weeks.

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

I did not see trash on the trail.  

The mosquitos were not very pesky today with the cooler temperatures in the morning; but even though the bugs were waking up as the day warmed, we had prepared with a coating of bug spray.

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

I heard songbirds. There were honeysuckle, mosses, ferns, trillium, mayapple, buttercups, forget me nots, violets, dandelions, ragwort, blackberry briars, and a variety of tree species including cherry, shagbark hickory, curly birch, oaks and maples.

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

Trail Map PDF: AlleganyQuakerAreaTrailMap.pdf 

This park hosts a Geocaching Bash in May.