The Finger Lakes National Forest is the only national forest in New York State, encompassing roughly 16,000 acres on the high ridge between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes near the town of Hector. The landscape is unlike the dramatic gorges of the state parks—it is rolling, pastoral terrain mixing open meadows and managed forest, criss-crossed by over 30 miles of trails open to hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

The Interloken Trail, the longest route in the forest, runs about 12 miles north-to-south and connects with several loop options. The Backbone Trail and Gorge Trail offer shorter alternatives. Free dispersed camping is permitted throughout the forest—a rarity in the heavily regulated Northeast—and the Blueberry Patch and Potomac Group campgrounds provide more structured sites. The forest is managed by the USDA Forest Service for multiple uses, including cattle grazing, which gives some meadow areas a distinctly pastoral character. For hikers and campers who want a quieter, less manicured experience than the state parks provide, the national forest is the best option in the central Finger Lakes.