Oneida County Tourism is thrilled to share that Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Canal Corporation have officially designated the City of Utica as a 2026 Empire State Trail Town.

This prestigious selection highlights Utica’s growing role as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and cultural tourism. As the largest municipality to ever receive this designation, Utica is being recognized for its unique ability to blend world-class amenities—including our diverse culinary scene and vibrant arts district—with seamless access to the Empire State Trail.

What This Means for Our Region

The Trail Town program is a year-long partnership designed to help communities maximize the economic impact of the 524-mile trail system. For Oneida County, this initiative will focus on:

• Strengthening Connections: Enhancing the links between the Erie Canalway Trail, Harbor Point, and downtown Utica
• Economic Growth: Tapping into the nearly 4 million annual visits to the Canalway Trail to support local hospitality and retail businesses.
• Visitor Experience: Working with experts to implement strategic recommendations for signage, bike-friendly infrastructure, and tourism programming.

Joining Utica in the 2026 cohort is the Town of Lyons, further strengthening the network of historic gateways that make the Erie Canalway a global attraction.

Explore the Road Ahead

Read the full announcement to see how this designation will transform the visitor experience in Utica and solidify Oneida County's place as a central hub on New York’s iconic trail system.