Macsherry Trail - Hammond, NY
Macsherry Trail: A Pet-Friendly Hiking Destination in Hammond, New York
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly hiking adventure in the Thousand Islands region, Macsherry Trail offers pet lovers and outdoor enthusiasts beautiful, easily walkable trails, scenic wetlands, and tranquil forests just outside Hammond, NY. This trail system features a shorter and a longer loop (about 1 to 3 miles), making it perfect for hikers and dogs of any fitness level. The well-marked trails wind through fairy tale-like woods with minimal elevation and plenty of natural beauty, including views of Chippewa Bay and diverse wildlife.
Macsherry Trail is great for a casual outing with your dog, providing ample parking, mostly flat terrain, and a welcoming atmosphere for families and pets. Do bring water and bug spray—especially during summer months, when biting insects are prevalent. Note that some boardwalks may be in disrepair, so extra caution is advised in wet or muddy sections of the trail. There are no fenced areas or official off-leash zones, but the trails themselves are leash-friendly and foster a relaxed, natural experience for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Macsherry Trail features both a short and longer loop for hiking with your dog.
- Is there parking available? Yes, there is ample parking for about 10 vehicles at the trailhead.
- Is the trail shaded or are there trees for shade? Yes, the trail passes through forested areas with plenty of natural shade.
- Are dogs allowed? Yes, this is a pet-friendly trail perfect for hiking with dogs.
- Are there any maintenance or trail conditions to be aware of? Some boardwalks and bridges may be in disrepair, especially after wet weather. Bring bug spray in the summer due to flies and mosquitoes.
- Is the trail good for families and pets? Yes, the trail is fairly flat and suitable for both families and pets.
Reviews
The long loop is a little over 2 miles with maybe 50 foot elevation gain so very much an easy trail, but do make sure and bring water. The views on the long loop are gorgeous and the woods are fairy tale woods with lots of wildlife. Would definitely recommend.
Warnings ⚠️
Some times of year the trail is just not possible, due to bugs. We tried going twice in July and as soon as we parked the car was swarmed by biting flies, the dog didn’t even want to leave the car. We were able to successfully hike the trail mostly bug free in mid to late August.
There are also quite a few bridges and boardwalks that desperately need repair. I genuinely was afraid I was going to put my foot through one of the boards.
It would be 5 stars with the boardwalks fixed, they can’t do anything about bugs.
We have walked this trail about three times. The shorter loop is easy, but the longer loop can be alittle challenging. Make sure you bring bug spray, they are tough in spots. It’s very pretty and in August there were so many mushrooms. We came back in Sept. and the Mushrooms were quite diminished. It is a loop and the longer loop is about a 1 1/2 to 2 hrs hike. The shorter loop will take about an hrs. depending on speed and other factors, i.e. bird watching or foliage viewing. A great trail developed and maintained by TILT.( Thousand Island Land Trust)
A nice little hike through the woods with a brief view of the water. The trail is simple, but it winds through rocks and the forest in a pleasing way. Halfway through, you get a good view of the river. Some of the wooden paths over muddy areas are in a bit of disrepair, but they’re fine if you’re careful. Worth a visit!
Nice little trail hidden off the road. About 3 miles Long for the full loop. Very well marked and some nice wetland views. Some of the reviews of people complaining about the trail not being stroller friendly. Are you kidding me? It’s trail in the woods. Not a sidewalk. And mosquitos? It’s the woods people. Wahhhh.
Anyways. Pretty flat trail with some little ups and downs. Great for a family or pets. There is also a smaller loop for those on a time crunch. Ample parking for probably 10 ish vehicles.
These sets of trails are very well taken care of. We also saw a Beaver Dam along the Long Loop trail. The Long Loop leads to an overlook that peers into Chippewa Bay. Along the route, much of the trails are lined with white pines and their needles cover the ground throughout. Their isn’t much underbrush in the surrounding forests which allows for great ambiance along the way. We enjoyed it so much, we might go back tomorrow!