Birding & Nature Trails in Hudson Valley

> Beacon Mountain

Fishkill, NY 12524

Hudson Highlands' highest peak, Beacon Mountain offers two summits, hiking trails, a fire lookout tower and monument and the ruins of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway...

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> Bear Mountain State Park

Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911

Bear Mountain State Park offers a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and more...

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> Beaver Pond Campground

700 Kanawauke Road, Stony Point, NY 10980

Located in Harriman State Park and adjacent to Lake Welch, the campground offers access to swimming beaches, hiking trails and neighboring state park facilities.

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> Brook n Wood Family Campground

1947 County Route 8, Elizaville, NY 12523

Set on 62 wooded acres, Brook n Wood is a private campground that offers tent and RV sites along with cabins and RV rentals.

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> Bull Hill

Route 9D to the trailhead, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Also known as Mount Taurus, Bull Hill is a mountain just north of the village of Cold Spring on the Hudson River as part of the river-straddling range known as the Hudson Highlands.

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> Croton Point Park

Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River, this 508-acre park offers year-round events and activities along with camping, hiking, swimming and fishing.

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> Esopus Bend Nature Preserve

4 Shady Lane, Saugerties, NY 12477

This unique 161-acre preserve is located partially within both the village and town of Saugerties, punctuated by a dramatic bend in the Esopus Creek less than a mile from the Hudson River.

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> Fahnestock State Park

Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Putnam Valley, NY 10579

This 14,086-acre park covers land in Putnam and Dutchess counties and boasts hiking trails, picnic areas, a scenic campground, and plenty of opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding.

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> Fahnestock State Park Campground

Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Putnam Valley, NY 10579

This 14,086-acre park’s scenic campground, formed along the park's natural rock ridges, provides 80 campsites, each with a picnic table, charcoal grill, and fire ring.

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> Falling Waters Preserve

Dominican Lane, Saugerties, NY 12477

This riverfront, day-use park offers nature trails, a meadow with great views of the Catskills, a couple of picturesque waterfalls and rock ledges.

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> Franny Reese State Park

Macks Lane, Highland, NY 12528

The park offers more than 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails that follow a historic carriage road and passes by the ruins of a 19th century mansion.

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> Harriman State Park

Seven Lakes Drive / Bear Mountain Circle Ramapo, NY 10974

Boasting more than 44,000 acres, Harriman State Park is the second-largest park in the New York state parks system.

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> Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Home to the 32nd and longest-serving president of the United States, the Springwood estate was established as a National Historic Site in 1945.

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> Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve

3260 NY-9D, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve offers outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and birding and Breakneck Ridge trail, rated by Newsweek as one of the top 10-day hikes in America.

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> Hudson Valley Rail Trail

N. Putt Corners Road at NY 299/Main St., New Paltz, NY 12561

Hike it or bike it, ride on horseback or roller blades or ski it cross-country style or on snow shoes in the winter – enjoy the trail any way you like!

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> Kensico Dam Plaza

1 Bronx River Pkwy Road, Valhalla, NY 10595

Completed in 1917, this historic dam features a 9-11 memorial, “The Rising,” an open structure that can be approached from all directions and areas for picnicking, in-line skating, nature walks and more.

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> Kensico Reservoir

Valhalla, NY 10595

Built in 1885, this historic reservoir offers a trout-stocked lake for fishing as well as boating along with an historic dam featuring a park with a playground and nature trails.

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> Locust Grove Estate

2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Majestically seated on a hill overlooking the scenic Hudson River, this National Historic Landmark estate features 200 acres of landscaped grounds with five miles of hiking trails and an historic Italianate mansion.

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> Malouf's Mountain Sunset Campground

Old Town Road, Beacon, NY 12508

Just 80 min from NYC via Metro North to the Beacon Train Station, this hike-in/hike-out campground offers both platform and primitive sites for limited-gear or the novice camper.

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> Mohonk Preserve

3197 Route 44 55, Gardiner, NY 12525

The Mohonk Preserve spans more than 8,000 acres of land, mountains, fields, and streams providing great opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, skiing and snowshoeing.

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> Montgomery Place Historic Estate

26 Gardener Way, River Road, Red Hook, NY 12571

Overlooking the Hudson River, this 380-acre 1840s estate is a designated National Historic Landmark set amid rolling lawns, woodlands, and gardens with the Catskill Mountains as a backdrop.

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> Putnam County - A Treasure Trove of Beauty and Fun!

40 Gleneida Ave, Carmel, New York 10512

Seated on the eastern banks of the Hudson River - Putnam County is a jewel among the Empire State's counties.

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> River to Ridge Trail

41 Springtown Road, New Paltz, NY 12561

Connecting the Wallkill River and Shawangunk Ridge, the aptly named trail runs from the village of New Paltz to the beautiful 8,000-acre Mohonk Preserve.

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> Rockefeller State Park Preserve

125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570

Traversing through woodlands, meadows & fields, Rockefeller State Park Preserve features 45 miles of historic and scenic carriage roads that are wide and easy to walk.

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> Rockland County – Step into the Gateway

50 Sanatorium Road, Building A - 8th Floor, Pomona, New York 10970

Renowned as the “Gateway to the Hudson Valley region,” Rockland County is set along the majestic Hudson River featuring quaint villages, spectacular river views, and outdoor recreation – all just 30 miles north of New York City!

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> Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

953 NY-299, Gardiner, NY 12525

This high-quality, minimalist campground features 50 acres with 24 drive-in spots (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in spots.

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> Saxon Woods Park

1800 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605

Offering 700-acres of green space, Saxon Woods Park provides a variety of recreational facilities, including an 18-hole golf course,the county’s largest swimming pool, a children’s aquatic playground and more...

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> Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park at Tarrytown

250 W. Main St., Tarrytown, NY 10591

The RiverWalk Park in Tarrytown features a riverside esplanade, grass terraces and lawns, and an “eco-corridor” filled with native plants. Activities include walking, biking, fishing and picnicking.

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> Sebago Cabin Camp

Seven Lakes Drive, Harriman State Park, NY 10901

Set on Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park, the camp offers rustic cabins and full-service cottages.

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> Explore the Greenburgh Nature Center and See the Replica of a Native American Village

99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583

The Greenburgh Nature Center has nature trails, live animals, and replica of a 6,000 year old Native American village.

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> Snowshoe at Minnewaska Park

5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446

Situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, Minnewaska State Park Preserve rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain.

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> Stonecrop Gardens

81 Stone Crop Lane, Cold Spring, NY 10516

This public garden offers 15 acres of diverse settings including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff rock gardens, and an enclosed English-style flower garden.

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> Storm King State Park

Mountain Road, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520

This 1,972-acre park offers hikers unsurpassed views of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley.

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> Ulster County – far from ordinary

244 Fair St., Third Floor, Kingston, NY 12401

Ulster County invites you to “get lost on purpose” in this beautiful, historic and soulful area in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

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> Follow the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in the Hudson Valley

Gardiner, NY 12525

Surrounded by picturesque streams, hillsides, and forest, the trail runs directly through the heart of New Paltz.

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> Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Route 121 South (near intersection with Route 35), Cross River, NY, 10518

This 4,315-acre park features varied terrain and landscapes along with miles of wooded trails perfect for activities no matter what the season.

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> West Point Foundry Preserve

80 Kemble Ave, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Follow the trails to explore one of America’s most important industrial sites of the Industrial Revolution and the Civil War at this “outdoor museum...”