Facility Overview

The South Hill Recreation Way Parking area at 275 Burns Road serves as the primary southern terminus trailhead for one of Tompkins County’s most treasured multi-use greenways. Situated in a tranquil, wooded setting on Ithaca’s South Hill, this facility is designed as a dedicated open-air, compact gravel surface turnout lot. Its ground-level layout allows visitors to pull in, park, and step immediately onto the crushed-stone path of the historic rail-trail. Because the lot is completely open to the sky without garage decks, archways, or overhead height barriers, it offers virtually unlimited vertical clearance. Standard passenger cars, crossover utility vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, and high-roof recreation vans can park comfortably. Drivers operating oversized recreational vehicles, extended dual-axle trailers, or commercial coaches should exercise caution, as the turning radius and limited footprint of the rural gravel lot make maneuvering large vehicles challenging during peak hours.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This trailhead provides an irreplaceable staging ground for outdoor adventures, academic visits, and regional sightseeing throughout the Greater Ithaca area. Prominent destinations and attractions nearby include:

• South Hill Recreation Way: Directly accessible on site. The trail spans approximately 3.4 to 4.6 miles along the historic 1849 railbed of the Cayuga and Susquehanna Railroad, winding through peaceful ravines, mature woodlands, and past wooden footbridges.
• Six Mile Creek Natural Area & Mulholland Wildflower Preserve: Accessible via rugged connector trails branching northward off the main path, leading hikers toward scenic gorges, native flora, and historic reservoir dams.
• Coddington Valley Rail Trail: Positioned at the Burns Road juncture, this growing rail-trail extension pushes southeast toward Danby and the Finger Lakes Trail network.
• Ithaca College Campus: Located approximately 2.5 miles northwest (a 6- to 8-minute drive), making this an easy post-class or weekend workout spot for students, faculty, and visiting families.
• Downtown Ithaca & The Commons: Just 3.5 miles away (an 8- to 10-minute drive), offering an eclectic array of local farm-to-table restaurants, artisan boutiques, coffee houses, and performance venues like the State Theatre.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Roughly 3.5 to 4 miles west, providing swimming, gorge hiking, and camping.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking area is readily reached via Burns Road, a quiet secondary road that connects to major local arteries including Coddington Road (County Route 119) to the west and NY State Route 79 (Slaterville Road) to the east and north. Ingress and egress are smooth and direct with minimal roadway congestion, even during sunny weekend afternoons. For regional public transportation, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) runs fixed routes along the Coddington Road and Hudson Street corridors within a short distance of the trail network, facilitating multimodal outings for runners and cyclists who wish to commute trailside. Major highways like Route 13 and Route 96 are easily accessible via downtown Ithaca, offering straightforward transit across the Finger Lakes region.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level gravel lot offering hassle-free pull-in parking immediately adjacent to the trailhead.
• Zero Clearance Restrictions: Unobstructed open headroom accommodating vehicles with roof racks, kayaks, cargo boxes, and tall bicycle racks.
• Free Public Access: No parking meters, gate arms, or permit requirements, ensuring budget-friendly access for every community member.
• Direct Greenway Access: Instant entry to the wide, gentle-grade crushed-stone trail suitable for all fitness levels.
• Informational Trailhead Signage: On-site map kiosks outlining trail paths, regulations, distances, and nature area boundaries.
• Pet-Friendly Environment: Dog walkers are welcome with pets kept on standard leashes.

Ideal For

• Outdoor Fitness Enthusiasts: Marathon trainers, casual joggers, and gravel cyclists seeking miles of flat, joint-friendly terrain.
• Nature Lovers & Birders: Hikers interested in exploring the flora, fauna, and scenic views of the Six Mile Creek valley.
• Winter Sports Adventurers: Cross-country skiers and snowshoers taking advantage of unpacked trail conditions after fresh Finger Lakes snowfalls.
• Ithaca College & Cornell Visitors: College community members looking for a peaceful nature retreat minutes from campus quads.
• Families & Dog Walkers: Local households searching for an accessible, low-stress walking route away from automotive traffic.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because the Burns Road parking area has a limited capacity (accommodating roughly 8 to 12 vehicles depending on spacing), spots fill up quickly during peak hours—particularly between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on sunny spring, summer, and autumn weekends. Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon ensures seamless parking. Winter travelers should note that while Town of Ithaca road crews maintain Burns Road, the gravel parking turnout itself may experience packed snow or icy ruts during severe winter storms; four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles are beneficial in deep winter. Finally, as a rural nature trailhead, there are no trash cans or public restrooms directly at this lot; visitors should abide by 'Leave No Trace' principles and store all personal belongings and valuables securely out of view inside locked vehicles.