Discover Live Music, Food, Trails, and Outdoor Fun at Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind outdoor destination near Rochester, Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm is worth adding to your itinerary. Nestled among the trees in nearby Fairport, this seasonal venue combines live music, locally inspired food and drinks, hiking trails, and a welcoming atmosphere where visitors can unwind in nature.
Created by the family behind Kettle Ridge Farm, Backwoods transforms a wooded property into a vibrant gathering place complete with a hillside music stage, rustic seating, fire pits, a live-fire kitchen, and scenic trails. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or your dog, it’s an enjoyable escape from the city while still being only a short drive from Rochester.
Learn more here:
https://www.backwoodskrf.com/
Table of Contents
- About Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm
- Live Music in a Woodland Setting
- Food, Drinks, and Seasonal Menus
- Hiking Trails and Outdoor Activities
- Family-Friendly Features
- Tips Before You Visit
- Staying Near Backwoods
About Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm
Backwoods is an outdoor entertainment venue operated by Kettle Ridge Farm, a local family farm known for producing New York maple syrup, honey, and mead. The venue opened after years of restoring a neglected wooded property into a community-focused destination where nature, music, and local agriculture come together.
Located at:
7215 Pittsford Palmyra Road
Fairport, NY 14450
Visitors will discover:
- Beautiful forest surroundings
- A hillside concert stage
- Shipping container bars
- Live-fire cooking
- Fire pits
- Adirondack chairs
- Picnic tables
- Scenic woodland trails
Unlike many traditional concert venues, Backwoods encourages guests to slow down, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
Live Music in a Woodland Setting
One of the biggest attractions at Backwoods is its live music lineup.
Throughout the season, local and regional musicians perform on an outdoor hillside stage surrounded by trees. Concerts are typically held from Thursday through Saturday, while Sundays often feature free live music alongside a vendor market. A small cover charge usually applies on select evenings, while Sunday performances remain free.
The venue has become a popular gathering place for:
- Local music lovers
- Couples
- Families
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- Visitors exploring the Rochester area
Instead of crowded indoor venues, guests enjoy performances under the open sky in a relaxed woodland atmosphere.
Food, Drinks, and Seasonal Menus
Food is another highlight of the Backwoods experience.
The live-fire kitchen prepares a rotating seasonal menu featuring locally inspired comfort food. Popular offerings have included:
- Wood-fired pizzas
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Trail mix bowls
- Zweigle’s Texas Hots
- Seasonal specials
- Breakfast items during Sunday markets
- Maple kettle corn
The beverage menu changes throughout the season and includes:
- Local craft beer
- Finger Lakes wines
- Mead
- Cocktails featuring New York spirits
- Non-alcoholic beverages
Many menu items showcase ingredients produced by Kettle Ridge Farm, helping support local agriculture while giving visitors a true taste of the region.
Hiking Trails and Outdoor Activities
Backwoods isn’t just about music.
Visitors can also enjoy several outdoor recreational opportunities, including:
- Woodland hiking trails
- Mountain biking trails
- Nature walks
- Open green spaces
- Photography opportunities
The property connects to portions of the Crescent Trail system, making it an enjoyable stop for outdoor enthusiasts looking to combine recreation with food and entertainment.
Many guests arrive early to explore the trails before settling in for dinner and an evening concert.
Family-Friendly Features
Backwoods welcomes visitors of all ages.
Families especially enjoy the venue’s naturally designed play areas, including its popular sand hill and slide. Children can explore the outdoor spaces while adults relax nearby with food, drinks, or live music.
Other family-friendly amenities include:
- Open seating areas
- Picnic tables
- Fire pits
- Dog-friendly grounds (leashed pets welcome)
- Plenty of space to spread out with lawn chairs or blankets
Because the venue is outdoors, it’s ideal for visitors looking for a casual and relaxed atmosphere rather than a traditional entertainment venue.
Tips Before You Visit
Before heading to Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm, keep these tips in mind:
- Arrive early on busy weekends.
- Parking is available on-site, with optional premium parking reservations.
- Bring lawn chairs or blankets if you’d like additional seating.
- Check the weather before visiting since the venue operates outdoors.
- Review the event calendar for live music and special events.
- Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
- Dogs are welcome if kept on a leash.
Staying Near Backwoods
If you’re planning to spend the weekend exploring Rochester and the surrounding Finger Lakes region, Backwoods makes an excellent afternoon or evening destination.
Many visitors combine their trip with nearby attractions such as Fairport, Pittsford, local wineries, parks, and downtown Rochester. Staying in a comfortable vacation rental gives you easy access to these experiences while providing a relaxing place to return after an evening of live music.
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Backwoods by Kettle Ridge Farm offers an experience that’s difficult to find elsewhere in the region. By blending live entertainment, locally sourced food and beverages, scenic hiking trails, and a welcoming woodland setting, it has quickly become one of the area’s most distinctive seasonal destinations.
Whether you’re planning a casual date night, meeting friends for live music, bringing the family outdoors, or simply looking to experience something different during your Rochester visit, Backwoods provides a memorable combination of nature and community.
From relaxing around a fire pit to enjoying local musicians beneath the trees, it’s an outing that showcases another side of the Greater Rochester area.