You're driving down I-88, probably headed toward Oneonta or maybe Cooperstown to see the Hall of Fame. Most people don't even look twice at the green sign for Davenport. But honestly, if you skip Robert V Riddell State Park, you're missing out on one of the most underrated patches of dirt in the entire New York State park system. It isn't flashy. There are no massive concessions, no swimming pools with screaming kids, and definitely no paved promenades. It’s basically just over 2,000 acres of pure, quiet Appalachian oak-hickory forest and wetlands.
It’s peaceful. Really peaceful.
Most folks stumble upon it by accident. They’re looking for a place to stretch their legs that isn't a greasy fast-food parking lot. What they find instead is a former family farm donated by Patricia Riddell Kent and her husband. This wasn't some corporate land grab; it was a gift. That history matters because the park still feels like private land you’ve been invited onto, rather than a sterile government facility.
The Mud, the Moss, and the Real Robert V Riddell State Park
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first. The park is split. You've got the main area on the north side of the highway and a smaller chunk to the south. If you’re looking for the heart of the place, you want the northern section.
The trails here aren't "manicured." If it rained yesterday, expect mud. Expect roots. This is real hiking. The Mud Lake trail is the one everyone talks about, and for good reason. It leads you to a glacial kettle lake. Now, "lake" might be a generous term depending on the season—sometimes it's more of a vibrant, mossy bog—but the biodiversity there is staggering. You’ll see carnivorous plants like pitcher plants if you look closely enough in the sphagnum moss. It’s like a tiny, prehistoric world tucked away in Delaware and Otsego counties.
I’ve spent hours out there. Sometimes you don’t see a single other human. Just the occasional red-spotted newt crawling across the path after a summer shower. These little guys are bright orange and look like they belong in a tropical aquarium, not a New York forest.
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Birdwatching and the Susquehanna Connection
One thing people get wrong about this park is thinking it’s just a "woods walk." It’s actually a vital corridor for migratory birds. Because it sits at the headwaters of the Susquehanna River basin, the water moving through these hemlock-studded ravines eventually finds its way down to the Chesapeake Bay.
If you bring binoculars, look for:
- Blackburnian Warblers in the hemlock tops.
- Barred Owls (you’ll hear them asking "Who cooks for you?" long before you see them).
- Wood Thrushes with that eerie, flute-like song that echoes through the canopy.
The Schenevus Creek also cuts through the property. It’s a literal hotspot for trout. Serious anglers know that this stretch of water is high-quality stuff. It’s cold, it’s clean, and it’s shaded by the overhanging forest, which keeps the oxygen levels just where the fish like them.
Why the "Strenuous" Label is Kinda Misleading
If you look at some trail maps, they mark certain sections of Robert V Riddell State Park as difficult. Don’t let that scare you off. We aren't talking about Everest. We’re talking about some decent elevation gain as you move from the valley floor up toward the ridges.
The terrain is varied. You’ll start in open meadows that feel like the 19th-century farmland they used to be, and within twenty minutes, you’re under a dense canopy where the temperature drops ten degrees instantly. It’s refreshing. The "strenuous" parts are really just steady climbs. If you’ve got decent boots and a bottle of water, you’re fine. The reward is the silence. Up on the ridges, the sound of I-88 fades away completely. All you hear is the wind in the hardwoods.
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The park is also a massive win for winter sports. When the snow hits—and in this part of New York, it hits hard—the trails transform. It’s one of the best spots for snowshoeing because the terrain isn't so steep that you’re sliding backward, but it’s interesting enough to keep your heart rate up. Cross-country skiers love it too, though again, these aren't groomed tracks. You’re breaking your own trail.
What Actually Happened with the Land?
The story of the park is actually pretty cool. Patricia Riddell Kent grew up here. This was her backyard. In 2005, she donated the original 1,000+ acres to the state to honor her father, Robert V. Riddell. Later, the Open Space Institute (OSI) helped expand it.
It’s rare to find a park that hasn't been "over-improved." There’s a certain pressure on state parks to add disc golf courses or paved bike paths. Riddell has resisted that. It stays wild. It stays local. Most of the people you meet on the trails are from nearby Oneonta or the surrounding villages. They treat it with respect because it feels like home.
Things You Should Actually Bring
Don't be that person who shows up in flip-flops.
- Waterproof Boots: I’m serious about the mud. The low-lying areas near the creek and Mud Lake are perpetually soggy.
- Bug Spray: The black flies in late spring can be brutal, and the ticks are a reality in any New York forest.
- A Physical Map: Cell service is spotty at best once you dip into the ravines. You can usually find a paper map at the kiosk, but don't bet your life on it.
- Camera with a Macro Lens: If you’re into photography, the fungi and mosses here are incredible. The damp environment means you'll find mushrooms in colors you didn't think existed in nature—vivid purples, neon oranges, and deep crimson.
Access and Finding the Entrance
Locating the entrance can be a little tricky if you aren't paying attention. The main parking area is off NY-28, just south of the intersection with I-88. It’s unassuming. A small gravel lot and a wooden sign. If you hit the town of Milford, you’ve gone too far north.
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There is no entry fee. That’s a huge plus. In an era where everything costs twenty bucks just to park, Riddell remains accessible to everyone. You can spend an entire day here for the cost of the gas it took to get here.
Understanding the Ecosystem
The forest at Robert V Riddell State Park is a mix of "old-field" succession and more mature stands. You’ll see old stone walls snaking through the woods. These are the ghosts of 1800s sheep pastures. It’s a reminder of how quickly the forest reclaims the land once humans step back. The transition from sunny field to dark hemlock grove happens fast here. It’s a great place to teach kids about ecology because you can see the different "zones" of the forest so clearly.
The creek itself is a classroom. You’ve got riffles, pools, and undercut banks. It’s a healthy system. If you flip over a few rocks (put them back, obviously), you’ll find stonefly larvae and mayflies. These are "indicator species." They only live in clean water. Their presence tells you everything you need to know about the health of this park.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out this weekend, here is the move. Start early. The light hitting the meadows in the morning is spectacular for photos.
- For the Hiker: Take the loop up to the ridge. It’ll give you the best workout and the most solitude.
- For the Family: Stick to the lower trails near the creek. It’s flatter, and there are plenty of spots to stop and look at bugs or skip stones in the water.
- For the Nature Nerd: Head straight for Mud Lake. Bring a field guide for bog plants. You won't find another ecosystem like it within a fifty-mile radius.
- For the Solo Traveler: Tell someone where you’re going. Even though it’s a state park, the woods are deep, and it’s easy to get turned around if you wander off-trail chasing a cool bird.
The park is open year-round, from dawn to dusk. Every season offers something different. The fall foliage is, of course, insane. The maples turn that deep fire-orange that Central New York is famous for. But spring might be my favorite. Watching the ferns unfurl (fiddleheads!) and hearing the creek roar with snowmelt makes the whole place feel alive.
Basically, Robert V Riddell State Park isn't for people who want a curated "outdoor experience." It’s for people who want the outdoors, period. It’s raw, it’s quiet, and it’s waiting for you to stop driving past it. Pack a sandwich, leave the Bluetooth speaker at home, and just walk. You’ll get it once you’re there.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the NYS Parks website for any seasonal trail closures or hunting alerts (especially in late autumn).
- Download an offline map of the Oneonta/Davenport area on your phone.
- Pack a pair of dry socks in your car for the drive home—you'll thank me after the Mud Lake trail.