- CMAHEY
Boardwalk Trail In Rochester, NY!
Updated: Nov 8, 2021
Turning Point Park is located in Rochester, NY along the Genesee river and is about an hour and a half from Buffalo. I actually stumbled upon this spot when I was researching about Chimney Bluffs State Park.

I wasn't sure what either place would hold so I wanted to fill the day with enough adventure to make the drive worth it!
The plan was to hit up Turning Point Park first and then head to the Bluffs, so we started the day by putting 260 Boxart Rd into our GPS. This address will lead you all the way to the end of Boxart street where you will find the parking lot. If the parking lot is full you can park along the road, but please be careful not to block any driveways of the nearby businesses.
From the parking lot you can either go left or right to start your journey along the Genesee Riverway Trail. We saw a lot of people headed left so we followed and that lead us down a hill and to the start of the breathtaking boardwalk.

The boardwalk takes you right over the water where you can get a close up view of the stunning river colors and the life it has to offer.
BE ALERT : the trail is activity friendly so keep an extra eye out for cyclist & runners!
Once you reach the end of the boardwalk it merges into a land path where you can then continue on and pretty much take it to the Rochester Harbor. We personally didnt take it all the way down but did make it to what looked like a boat yard before turning around.
On the way back we stopped at both of the circle shaped piers for some photo oppurtunites and to really take a moment and breathe in the amazing views around us.
When it comes to distance I thought I would break it down into 3 sections. Note: all the following miles listed are for one way travel
1) The Boardwalk from start to finish is about .6 miles long (the parking lot to boardwalk is about a 5 min walk and includes a hill)
2) Once the boardwalk section ends and you are on the land path...it will be about 1 mile until you hit the Colonel Patrick O'rorke memorial bridge. This is about where me and my friend turned around, but I believe the path goes on for another .2 miles which should get you closer to the harbor.
3) Another path is if you go right at the parking lot or at the bottom of the hill. This will still take you on a trail along the river but ends around the Riverside Cemetary. Depending where you start its about a 1 mile walk.

To sum up the experience, I had a great time walking this unique trail but wouldn't necessarily drive an hour and a half to visit just this location. **** BUT **** With that said ... take this spot and add it with Chimney Bluffs State Park and you have yourself a great recipe for a day trip that is definitely worth the drive.
