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Visit Rice Creek

No matter the season, there's always a reason to visit Rice Creek. As a field station dedicated to research and education, our facility and grounds are open year-round to the general public free of charge. 

Ongoing attractions include our indoor exhibits, trails, and herb garden. We also host public programs and events throughout the year. Additionally, we work with K-12 schools, college classes, and non-profit youth/community organizations to arrange field trips and special programs, typically free of charge.

Visit Us

The Field Station provides public programs in nature education for groups and individuals, school-aged to adult. Our four nature trails are open to the public for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Field Station building is open year-round for the public to explore our natural history and art displays and view wildlife. Come visit us in person or take a virtual tour.

Programs Trails Virtual Visit

So Much to See!

With over 718 species of plants, 61 types of fungi, and 218 species of animals, you'll always see something new when you visit.

Oswego student with monarch butterfly

SUNY Oswego zoology major, Elena Jones, in the RCFS butterfly garden.

forest wetlands

Fall at Rice Creek Field Station, overlooking the Green Trail forested wetlands.

sunny, winter day overlooking a maple tree and a river

Overlooking Rice Creek and RCFS' famous old sugar maple in winter.

baby snapping turtle sitting on someone's hand

Look for baby snapping turtles (Chelydra sepentina) around the field station.

SUNY Oswego faculty and student inside the astronomical observatory at Rice Creek Field Station

SUNY Oswego faculty members, Dr. Scott Roby and Dr. John Zielinkski, and a student inside the astronomical observatory.

three frogs sitting in a log

The small pond in the RCFS butterfly garden is a favorite haunt of green frogs (Lithobates Clamitans or Rana Clanitans).

night photo of a gray fox

Using night trail cameras makes it easier to study secretive animals like this gray fox (Urocyon Cineroargenteus) which are illusive during the day.

a wooden boardwalk that stretches through the trees and wetlands

The Green Tail boardwalk is a favorite destination for visitors, offering views of Rice Creek, surrounding wetlands, and even signs of beaver activity.

snow-covered trail through the bare trees

The trails at Rice Creek are a wonderful place to enjoy a winter hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski. Fat bikes can also be used along the Orange Trail.

plant with long, thin green leaves and white flowers

White turtlehead (Chelone Glabra), a beautiful wetland plant, can be found along Rice Creek, along with over 700 other plant species.

Accessibility

We welcome people of all abilities to Rice Creek Field Station. Rice Creek's main building and parking areas are ADA accessible. The Purple Trail, scheduled to open in April 2026, is built to comply with U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines. 

Although we strive to create inclusive programs, not all programs will be accessible to all individuals. Please reach out to us at [email protected] or (315) 312-6677 to inquire about accommodations. We would be happy to work with you.

Parking and Transportation

Directions & Parking

Rice Creek Field Station is located at 193 Thompson Road in Oswego, roughly one mile south of the main entrance to the SUNY Oswego campus.

Parking is free and open to the public, with no permit required. When the building and gate are closed, visitors can use the upper parking lot to access the trail system.

Green Shuttle

The Centro Green Shuttle offers free transportation to students from the main SUNY Oswego campus Monday through Friday during the Fall and Spring semesters. It takes just 11 minutes door to door! 

The shuttle runs on the half hour (:00 and :30) from the Marano Campus Center bus stop, starting at noon. Return shuttles from Rice Creek begin at 12:11 p.m. and end at 5:41 p.m., also running on the half hour (:11 and :41).

Saturday Van Rides

Rice Creek offers student transportation on most Saturdays during the Fall and Spring semesters (rides are unavailable on 2/21, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, and 4/18/26). 

To sign up, please email [email protected] by 3 p.m. on Thursdays, providing your full name and phone number. Alternatively, please call (315) 312-6677 between 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays for same-day service. Please call again if you do not get an answer, as messages may not be retrieved.

Contact

193 Thompson Road
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315.312.6677
Email: [email protected]

Hours

Building Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm
Saturday, 9 am–3 pm

Trail Hours
Dawn to dusk

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