Etna Community Park
Rate this placeNearby: Mill Dam Park Groton Ave Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Etna Community Park is a beautiful park located in the Tompkins County of New York State.
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Summary
Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, the park offers visitors a wide range of activities, making it an ideal destination for families, friends and outdoor enthusiasts.
Some good reasons to visit Etna Community Park include its beautiful natural scenery, which is perfect for hiking, picnicking, and bird watching. The park also has a playground, basketball court, and a baseball field, making it an excellent destination for sports lovers. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and swimming in the nearby Buttermilk Creek.
One of the most interesting points of interest at Etna Community Park is the Gorge Trail, a popular hiking trail that takes visitors through some of the most scenic spots in the park. The trail is well-maintained and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Another interesting fact about Etna Community Park is that it was once a quarry, which was later transformed into a beautiful park. The park was established in 1965 and has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
The best time of year to visit Etna Community Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and visitors can enjoy swimming, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, the park is also open year-round and offers visitors a unique experience during the fall and winter months, when the leaves change colors and the surrounding landscape is covered in snow.
Overall, Etna Community Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of New York State. With its stunning scenery, wide range of activities, and interesting history, it is sure to be a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Irvin Campsite
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Buttermilk Falls State Park
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Kimmie Bivouac
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Robert H. Treman State Park
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Kells Tent Site
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Taughannock Falls State Park
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Mill Dam Park
Groton Ave Park
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve
FR Newman Arboretum