Gay City State Park

There is a large and easy network of trails here totaling about nine miles including a connector to the blue-blaze Shenipsit Trail.  The trails also connect to the Meshomasic State Forest and Blackledge Falls to the south. 

Red Trail Loop – 4.55 miles

• This loop is actually almost 5 miles for not including the paved road which connects the winter parking area to the other end of the loop.  The loop alternates between rough trail and old woods roads passing marshes, climbing hills, and traversing thick forest.  It serves as a nice mid distance loop but lacks eye catching destinations.

White Trail Loop – 2.46 miles

• The white trail travels the interior of the park and catches all the sights like the pond, mill ruins, brook and river views.  Much of the trail is well traveled though portions along the back are less so in favor of jumping on the longer red loop.

Yellow Trail – 0.77 miles

• Unexplored

Blue Shenipsit Connector – 1.54 miles

• The blue blazed Shenipsit Trail connector runs from the paved entrance road near the youth camping area to the edge of the property and into the Meshomasic State Forest. The trail follows a fairly straightforward path on old woods roads except for a recent reroute in the middle to cross a small stream and climb a hillside to avoid a frequently flooded area. Hiking it out and back is relatively uneventful, but conveniently bisects the Red Trail Loop and connects to several of the other trails on the property.
• The trail crosses into the Garnet Ledge section of the Shenipsit Trail