Facility Overview

The Finger Lakes Trail Parking area at 1027 Elmira Road (NY Route 13) in Newfield, New York, serves as an essential outdoor recreation gateway at the boundary between Ithaca and Tompkins County's scenic southern hill country. Locally known among regional hikers as the Shady Corners trailhead, this open-air, unpaved gravel-and-dirt turnout lot sits directly adjacent to Enfield Creek. Preserved with the support of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, the lot provides direct, unhindered foot access to both the legendary Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) and the federal North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT).

As an open-air surface lot with completely unrestricted headroom, there are zero overhead clearance barriers, making it accessible for standard passenger sedans, crossovers, pickup trucks, and full-size SUVs. While high-roof camper vans can park without height limitations, oversized RVs and long trailers are advised against using the lot due to the compact turnaround perimeter and rustic packed-gravel surface. Drivers in vehicles with low ground clearance should enter slowly to navigate natural gravel undulations, especially after heavy rains or seasonal snowmelt.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This parking area boasts a strategic location directly intersecting several of Upstate New York's most celebrated state parks and protected nature preserves:

• Robert H. Treman State Park: Located immediately to the west. Hikers can take the marked pedestrian trail passing beneath the Route 13 highway bridge straight into the lower section of Treman State Park, leading directly to the natural swimming basin at Lower Falls, the rugged Enfield Glen Gorge, and the famous 115-foot Lucifer Falls.
• Lick Brook Gorge & Sweedler/Thayer Preserves: Situated just across the inlet valley to the east. This trail connection leads up dramatic wooded rim ravines featuring three impressive waterfalls cascading over bedrock ledges.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Located roughly 3.5 miles northeast up Route 13, offering cascading gorge paths and serene lake trails.
• Downtown Ithaca & Colleges: Ithaca Commons, Ithaca College, and Cornell University are an easy 8 to 12-minute drive to the north, offering dining, lodging, cultural events, and shopping.
• Local Craft Breweries & Cideries: Popular post-hike destinations such as Ithaca Beer Company and South Hill Cider are within a 5-to-10-minute drive.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking area is situated directly alongside NY-13 (Elmira Road) northbound, just where Route 13 merges with NY Route 34/96. Because traffic moves at highway speeds along this divided multi-lane corridor, approaching drivers must practice cautious route navigation. Drivers heading southbound from Ithaca should strictly avoid making sudden, unprotected left turns across heavy opposing highway traffic into the lot; instead, continue past the fork, take a safe turnaround (or turn onto Decker Road), and enter comfortably heading northbound.

For regional transit users, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) operates bus routes connecting Newfield and downtown Ithaca along Route 13, with transit stops located within walking distance along the corridor. Regional highway access is seamless, offering direct north-south routing between Elmira, Ithaca, and Watkins Glen.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Complimentary Parking: Completely free public parking with no meters, pay machines, or mandatory state park day-use vehicle fees.
• Trailhead Connectivity: Immediate access to the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail and North Country National Scenic Trail.
• Grade-Separated Creek Underpass: A dedicated pedestrian footway passes beneath NY-13 alongside Enfield Creek, keeping hikers safely off the high-speed highway lanes.
• Pet-Friendly Access: Dogs on standard leashes are welcome on the surrounding preserve trails.
• 24/7 Availability: Accessible around the clock for sunrise hikes, long-distance treks, and dusk excursions.

Ideal For

• Day Hikers & Trail Runners: Exploring the multi-mile gorge loops of Robert H. Treman State Park or Lick Brook.
• Thru-Hikers & Backpackers: Section hikers staging vehicles along the continuous 580-mile Finger Lakes Trail system.
• Nature Photographers & Birdwatchers: Capturing pristine forest fauna, spring ephemerals, and dramatic fall foliage along Enfield Creek.
• Cost-Conscious Park Visitors: Park visitors wanting legal trail access to Treman's hiking paths without paying seasonal park vehicle fees.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because this is a rustic backcountry turnout, there are no on-site restrooms, running water, or trash receptacles; visitors must strictly practice "Carry In, Carry Out" Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Full park amenities, restrooms, and seasonal water stations are accessible approximately 1.5 miles along the trail inside Robert H. Treman State Park. During autumn, parts of the adjacent forested hills outside state park boundaries are open for hunting, so hikers and their canine companions should wear high-visibility blaze orange. Finally, avoid leaving valuables visible inside parked vehicles, and verify weather conditions beforehand, as unpaved surfaces can become soft during spring mud season.