Chautauqua County is calling all hikers, bikers, paddlers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to hit the trail for 2026 CHQ Trails Day, a countywide celebration taking place next Saturday, June 20th, with a variety of guided activities and choose-your-own adventures happening at locations across Chautauqua County. Presented by the Friends of the Chautauqua County Greenways (FCCG), CHQ Trails Day is designed to spark excitement for the region's trail system and inspire more people to explore the 250+ miles of publicly accessible recreational trails that connect communities, parks, forests, waterways, and scenic overlooks throughout the county.
CHQ Trails Day offers something for every pace and every age, from first-timers curious about local trail options to experienced trail users ready for a new route. Participants can join a scheduled group activity, bring friends for a casual outing, or plan a self-guided trip that fits their interests and ability level. Whether the goal is a short family-friendly walk, a longer hike, a ride on well-loved rail trails, or time on the water, CHQ Trails Day is an invitation to make the most of early summer and experience the outdoors close to home.
For those who love to paddle, Everwild Land Trust (formerly the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy) will host guided canoe/kayak trips at Kyle's Landing Preserve, with a tentative, weather- and conditions-dependent 2.5-mile paddle down the upper Cassadaga Creek led by an Everwild Land Trust guide. Participants will travel through a series of preserves, with a shuttle provided from Kyle's Landing Preserve to the launch point, and a few kayaks available for those who do not own one (participants should plan to wear a personal flotation device; reservations will be required through Everwild Land Trust, with details to be shared soon).
Mountain bikers can join a beginner/intermediate, no-drop group ride organized by the Western New York Mountain Bicycling Association at Chautauqua Gorge State Forest in Mayville, beginning at 10:00 AM. Riders will meet at the main parking lot at the end of Hannum Road and cover the "Gorge Loop" along with the Chautauqua Rails to Trails route; participants are encouraged to bring water and a snack and to wear a helmet.
Also at 10:00 AM is a family-friendly hike in southern Chautauqua County at the Dobbins Woods Preserve, off of Bly Hill Road in Ashville. This event is also being organized by Everwild Land Trust. This nature walk will be guided by an Everwild staff member and is open to all abilities, ages, and interest.
Families looking for an easygoing way to get outside can head to Boutwell Hill State Forest’s Homestead Loop Project in Cherry Creek from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a family-friendly outing hosted by the Chautauqua County Equestrian Club and Boutwell Hill Ski Club. The event will include free horse-drawn wagon rides over the Homestead Trail, food for participants, and the option of a hike on the trail; attendees are encouraged to come prepared for summer conditions.
Another family option takes place at Portland Town Park in Brocton at noon, where Chautauqua Rails to Trails will host a Family Picnic & Hike -- an ideal midday meet-up for neighbors and visitors to enjoy a relaxed trail experience together.
For those interested in seeing trail improvements up close, the Chautauqua County Parks Commission and Parks Department will lead a Family Group Hike at the Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail, departing at 1:00 PM from the Harris Hill State Forest lot at the corner of Gerry-Ellington Road in Gerry. The hike will highlight recent trail work, with distance options ranging from approximately 2 miles to 3.5 miles, and leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome.
Beyond the scheduled activities, CHQ Trails Day is also about empowering people to plan the day that’s right for them. The CHQ Trails interactive map makes it easy to discover trail opportunities across Chautauqua County for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, paddling, horseback riding, and more, helping users choose routes by interest and location and encouraging new experiences in every corner of the county.
Most activities are designed to be welcoming and accessible, but participants are encouraged to review event details in advance, come prepared with appropriate footwear, insect repellent, and water, and follow all guidance from event organizers. For paddling activities, safety equipment and on-water readiness are essential; for biking activities, helmets and basic supplies are strongly encouraged. As always, trail users should practice "Leave No Trace" principles and help keep these shared spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
Submitted photos
