Finch Hollow

Quick Bits

Main Activities - Hike, Birding
Distance -  1 mile  trail
Quiet -  relatively
Surface -  even and easy
Elevation - minimal
Pets - on leash
Address - 1394 Oakdale Rd, Johnson City, NY 13790

In a Nutshell

Finch Hollow Nature Center closed in 2023, but there is still walking trails open. This small park is located on Oakdale Road, Johnson City. From the parking lot, ground slopes away towards a flood control dam.  This open field has mowed paths. Trees and shrubs surround the edges of the pond. A path goes across the dam to a wooded area. Finch Hollow isn't very large, but has a nice variety of birds and wildlife. It's open dawn to dusk.

Location and Parking

More details

The Finch Hollow Creek, a tributary of the Little Choconut Creek, runs north to south and divides the area. The dam was built in 1969 for flood control. The parking area is on the west side, off Oakdale Road. From the 'back yard' behind the building, you have a nice view of the area, seeing the dam and the woods on the opposite side. From here you can take the mowed paths down to, and over, the dam. These are easy walking. The trails near the creek at the northern end are marshy and not as well maintained. On the east side of the creek and dam is a wooded area with different trails. These are in good shape. On the northeast section of the pond are some cattails, and the ground gets pretty muddy.

Fishing from the shore is permitted. The DEC website indicates the pond contains Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, and brown bullhead. 

Unfortunately, the nature center housed in the building was closed in 2023. It had been used for programs such as 4H and other nature education programs run by the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Prior to that, it had been a school as part of the Johnson City School District (JCSD still owns the land on which the building stands). 

There is another dam about 1.5 miles downstream on the Finch Hollow Creek. This is known as the Overbrook Park.

Creatures I've seen or heard

Cooper's Hawk, Cardinal, Squirrel, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay

Links of Interest

• Alltrails Trail Description

• NYS DEC Fishing Site 1 - DEC page on fishing at the flood control dam.

Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here