Water Wonderland In Derby!
- CMAHEY
- Jul 6, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 12
Hobuck Flats in Derby, NY is an Outdoor Botanical Water Wonderland!
Parking and Starting Point:
The primary entrance is located at the end of Versailles Rd. You'll recognize the spot by a small parking lot and a bridge at the base of a hill.
As noted earlier, there is limited parking available. On busy days, you might need to park on the street up the hill.
Tips: use your emergency break if parked on the hill & honk your horn when rounding the corner at the top of the hill to let other cars know you are coming
The location is surrounded by Eighteen Mile Creek, which despite its name is much longer than eighteen miles and gets its name from being eighteen miles south of the Niagara River at Buffalo. The creek starts in the Town of Concord, NY, and flows north and west until it hits Lake Erie in the Town of Evans.
The creek has been used for industry, hydropower, milling, transportation, and recreation over the past two centuries. Historical sources show it supported early mills, powered small industries, and now has become a major fishing and fossil collecting destination.
Starting at the parking lot, you’ll come across a big bridge that leads you into the main path. As you walk across, take a moment to look down at the water below. During the summer months you can spot plenty of fish swimming around, and you might even see some fishermen trying their luck! Plus, the view of the creek from the bridge is pretty awesome.
The main path is a short one, just about 0.25 miles from the bridge to the waterfall. But don’t worry, there are more spots to check out beyond this little trail. The trail isn't always flat and does have some small ups and downs, and it can get narrow at some points. Be sure to keep your eye on other walkers and the ground under your feet.
This walk not only brings you close to the creek but is also surrounded by lush greenery and a diverse array of flowers .... undoubtedly some weeds that in my opinion enhance the ambiance. It's genuinely like strolling through an outdoor and untamed botanical garden.
Outside of the summer months, this location is actually one of my favorites to visit throughout the season. In the fall, you are surrounded by peak fall foliage, and there is still a little trickle at the waterfall. Then, during the winter, it becomes a peaceful oasis with a frozen waterfall but is still fun to explore.
Discovering the Waterfall
About a quarter mile into your walk, you'll stumble upon the main attraction hidden in the woods. It's not huge, but it definitely brings a refreshing vibe to the area. Perfect for a quick break or some photos!
Outside the falls you can enjoy adventuring and water trekking close by as the creak goes on for miles in both directions. The water usually is at a height that you can enjoy a nice walk or even points are deeper and are great spots for chilling in the water especially on hot days.
If you have an adventurous spirit that enjoys exploring and being near water, this is the perfect spot for you. You might discover some fossils if you're lucky, find schools of fish if you're into fishing, or simply wander and appreciate nature at its finest. A little suggestion: if you're looking for something to eat, I highly recommend heading down the road to The Bagel Jar for a homemade bagel. Fresh Bagels | Derby, NY | the bagel jar
Enjoy and have a great time adventuring!
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