State Opens New Multi-Use Trail at Moreau Lake
The 0.7-mile trail links the Lake Bonita parking area to a southern viewing area through new boardwalks and bridges.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hiking
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation opened a new multi-use trail at Moreau Lake State Park, announced Friday. The 0.7-mile route extends the existing Lake Ann Trail and offers a less strenuous path from the Lake Bonita parking area to the southern viewing area.
Why it matters
The trail gives New York's Capital Region visitors an accessible option for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and non-motorized biking within a park whose network is nearly 35 miles long. Its educational trailhead area also supports group outings.
The new trail is 0.7 miles long and sits within a park network of nearly 35 miles of trails, with pets allowed if leashed to no more than six feet. Equestrian use is permitted but not recommended due to steep, rocky terrain, and hunting is prohibited in the Lake Bonita area.
The players
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The state agency that manages New York's parks, historic sites and recreational trails, including Moreau Lake State Park.
Moreau Lake State Park
A state park in the Capital Region of New York that offers hiking, water recreation and rustic lodging across its trail network.
The details
Visitors can reach the trail from the Lake Bonita parking area on Wilton Mountain Road. The route is an extension of the two-mile Lake Ann Trail and includes several new boardwalks and bridges.
Timeline
Friday, November 6, 2026: State announces the opening of the new trail.
Seasonal Patterns
The trail's use for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing places it within the Capital Region's winter recreation season, when state parks typically see demand for non-motorized winter routes. The new route adds a gentler option to a network whose steeper, rockier trails are not recommended for equestrian use.
Hikers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers across New York's Capital Region can use the new route as a less strenuous connection from the Lake Bonita parking area to the southern viewing area. Pets are welcome on leash no longer than six feet, and visitors should plan around the park's prohibition on hunting in the Lake Bonita area.
The takeaway
Trail users planning a visit should check the leash rules and plan for the steep, rocky sections that the park does not recommend for horses. The new route offers an easier way to reach the southern viewing area of Lake Bonita.
Further reading
Explore more on the Hiking section for trail guides and outdoor planning tips across New York.
More information
For trail information and hiking safety tips, visit the NY State Parks hiking safety tips and trail information page.
