Utica and Lyons Join Erie Canal’s Growing Network of Empire State Trail Towns
The Empire State Trail Town program continues to expand along New York’s historic canal corridor, with the City of Utica and the Town of Lyons officially joining the initiative as its newest members for 2026. The announcement, made by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, brings the total number of designated Trail Towns to thirteen — a sign of growing momentum for communities seeking to harness the Erie Canal’s enduring draw as an economic engine.
A Major Hub Joins the Trail
Utica’s selection is especially noteworthy. As the largest city to enter the program, it is poised to serve as a key hub along the Empire State Trail, offering cyclists, hikers, and boaters exceptional access to lodging, dining, arts, and recreation just steps from the trail corridor. City officials have expressed hope that the designation will accelerate tourism growth, drawing visitors into Utica’s vibrant neighborhoods and culturally diverse restaurant scene — assets that distinguish it from smaller Trail Town counterparts.
Meanwhile, Lyons — a historic village in Wayne County with deep roots in the canal era — enters the program as a gateway community connecting the Finger Lakes region to the broader trail system. The town joins nearby Clyde, making Wayne County a standout in the growing Trail Town network.
What the Program Delivers
Funded by the NYS Canal Corporation, the year-long Trail Town program provides selected communities with expert guidance, community workshops, and strategic recommendations. Parks & Trails New York works alongside local partners to assess trail use, identify strengths, and develop actionable plans to better connect downtown districts with the trail. For communities like Utica and Lyons, that means tangible support in wayfinding signage, trail amenities, business engagement, and visitor services — the small details that turn a trail crossing into a destination.
Broader Investments Signal a Canal Renaissance
The Trail Town expansion comes at a moment of significant investment in the canal system. Governor Hochul’s FY 2026 budget includes a $50 million allocation for canal infrastructure, targeting the rehabilitation of aging reservoir dams, earthen embankments, and steel water-control structures along the system. In addition, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and NYS Canal Corporation recently awarded $207,953 in tourism grants to 41 organizations, funding 11 infrastructure projects and 31 community events across the corridor.
Existing Trail Towns are also seeing continued recognition. Communities including Canajoharie, Lockport, and Montezuma received praise for their leadership in building trail-connected economies. Lockport was awarded funding to develop a tactile map and accessibility assessment for its historic Locks Heritage District, while Montezuma secured a grant for trailhead enhancements including drinking fountains, bike racks, and accessible picnic facilities.
With nearly four million visits to the Canalway Trail system each year, the Erie Canal is no longer just a monument to 19th-century ambition — it is a living corridor that continues to shape the communities along its banks. As Utica and Lyons begin their Trail Town journeys, they join a movement that is proving what canal-side communities have long known: when you invest in the canal, the canal invests right back.