Madison County is located in the central part of New York State. The county seat is Wampsville. The 2000 census had the county population at 69,441 and the 2008 census was 69,766. The county fairgrounds are located in Brookfield. The village of Bouckville along US 20 is famous for it antiques. Colgate University is located in Madison County, as well as Cazenovia College and State University of New York at Morrisville.
Nichols Pond and Oxbow Falls are county parks in Madison County. Chittenango Falls State Park is located in Madison County as well as a part of Old Erie Canal State Historical Park. Nelson Swamp Unique Area is a popular destination located south of Cazenovia. The old Lehigh Valley Railroad once ran through parts of the county. A section of the old railroad bed is now used as the Link Trail / North Country National Scenic Trail from Cazenovia north towards Canastota. Part of the trail goes through what is known as the Cazenovia Gorge. Another part of the old railroad is now called the "South Trail".
There are numerous state forests in Madison County as well as Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area. The Onondaga Trail enters the county near Deruyter Lake and coincides with the North Country Trail up to it's terminus at the Link Trail in Tioughnioga WMA. The 562 mile Finger Lakes Trail crosses into Madison County for a short time in Maripossa State Forest.
The 130 mile Brookfield Horse Trail system is located in Beaver Creek, Brookfield Railroad and Charles Baker State Forests. These trails can also be used by hikers. Charles Baker State Forest is one of the largest continuous state forests outside of Adirondack or Catskill Parks. Stony Pond State Forest is famous for its 13 miles of Nordic ski trails, which are used for hiking in the spring, summer and fall. Stony Pond is also a popular "primitive" camping destination.
The Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota. There is also a museum on the Erie Canal in Canastota. Chittenango is the home of "The Wizard of Oz". Frank Baum, who wrote the Oz books, was born in Chittenango and the town has an annual "Oz Fest" in late May/early June. The highest point in Madison County is Morrow Mountain at 2140 feet. There is a dirt road that leads to the summit.
For more information on hiking in Madison County, see the maps and links below. Please contact us at contact@cnyhiking.com if you'd like to see us add a trail not listed below. Thanks for visiting us.
Hiking Destinations in Madison County
Get $10 in credit when you join FanDuel
