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Wild blue lupine © Carl Heilman II

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Plants and Animals View All

Plan Your Visit

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As one of only a handful of inland pine barrens left in the United States, Rome Sand Plains contains a fantastic diversity of habitats. Visitors can find an interesting and varied trail experience as they wind through high sand dunes and low peat bogs or walk through pine barrens, meadows and hardwood forests.

The biodiversity of the sand plains makes it a favorite spot for students and nature buffs. The various habitats at the plains harbor several rare and unusual species, including carnivorous plants such as the sundew and pitcher plant and animals such as the fisher and red-shouldered hawk. The plains is also a restoration site for the frosted elfin butterfly, a species listed as threatened in New York.

Rome Sand Plains is managed by a group of organizations, including The Nature Conservancy and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Rome Sand Plains Preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Tread lightly on this fragile ecosystem while you enjoy the trails. Motorbikes and ATVs are strictly prohibited as they can damage young wild blue lupine and pitch pines.

• Sand Dune Trail (about 0.5 hr): This 0.7-mile loop trail starts at a former sand-mining pit, travels along the top of a sand dune, and continues along old wood roads and logging paths.
• Wood Creek Trail (about 1 hr): Follow this gently sloping trail along the crest of a towering dune to the bank of Wood Creek. The trail extends for about three-quarters of a mile to Wood Creek.
• Pitch Pine Bog Trail (about 2 hrs): Explore the unique plants and animals indicative of a pitch pine bog along an easy 2.6-mile trail. This trail is on Isaac Walton League property on West Thomas Street.

Things To Do

Rome Sand Plains Preserve supports a wide range of wildlife, including:

• frosted elfin butterfly
• fisher
• spotted turtle
• wood turtle
• red-shouldered hawk
• hermit thrush
• Nashville warbler
• ovenbird
• pine warbler
• whip-poor-will

Many plant species make Rome Sand Plains Preserve their home, including:

• pitch pine
• pitcher plant
• blue lupines
• sphagnum moss
• cinnamon ferns
• grass pink orchid
• cranberries and blueberries
• sheep laurel
• huckleberry

Plan Your Visit

This preserve is located in Rome, NY within Oneida County.

Directions

• Head northwest on NYS Route 69 (Erie Blvd.) in Rome one-half mile past McDonald's (which is on the right) to the traffic light at the junction with Routes 46/49.
• Turn left (westward) onto Routes 46/49.
• Travel about 2.4 miles; along the way you'll pass the Erie Canal Village.
• Turn right onto Oswego Road and follow it for about 0.8 mile to Hogsback Road.
• Turn left onto Hogsback Road and follow it for about 1.7 miles to the Wood Creek parking area on your left.
• Along the way, you'll pass a Rome Sand Plains sign and parking area on the right. Park here for the Sand Dune Trail. 
• Or, keep going to the small parking area on the left with Rome Sand Plains signage for the Wood Creek Trail. 
• To reach Pitch Pine Bog Trail, turn right onto Gifford Road from routes 46/49/69, then turn left on West Thomas Street. The parking lot is located a ½ mile down on the left.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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