Walking in Westchester and MoreBlue Mountain ReservationLocated in Peekskill, there are a range of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Briarcliff-Peekskill TrailwayExcellent long trail. Tree shaded and perfect for a warm summer day. One parking option is at a turnoff on Watch Hill Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY: N 41 15.317 W 73 53.744 Brinton Brook Sanctuarymain parking area alternative parking on Arrowcrest Drive, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520The largest sanctuary managed by the Saw Mill Audubon with just over 3 miles of clear, well marked trails and a pleasing pond with frogs, dragonflies, etc. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Bruce ParkBruce Park Dr, Greenwich CTReally pretty park stretching along the I95 in Greenwich. Pond, croquet court. Dogs are welcome.
Burden PreserveSheather Rd, Mt Kisco, NYThe town of New Castle recently acquired a great open space area which used to belong to William Burden, the ambassador to Belgium under Dwight Eisenhower. From the parking area off Sheather Road you will find a set of trails looping through this 124 acre wetland area, crossing streams, passing ponds, and climbing a small hill with views to the southeast.
Butler SanctuaryChestnut Ridge Road, Bedford, NYA very pleasant Nature Conservancy park in Bedford located across the street from the larger Westmoreland Sanctuary. It's an IBA bird sanctuary with an interesting bleecher stand hawk watch located near the main entrance. There are a few miles of marked trails with some moderate hills. It's easy to loose oneself so taking a trail map is recommended. Dogs allowed. The main entrance and parking for a dozen or so cars is located off of Chestnut Ridge Road on the west side of the 684. There is also an entrance off of Byram Lake Road (N41 10.452 W73 41.239).
Bye PreserveHigh Ridge Road, Pound Ridge, NYSmall, 23 acre preserve in Pound Ridge with a short loop hiking trail through a nice hilly landscape with some pretty large rocks. Parking for a few cars. No pets allowed. Choate SanctuaryRoute 133 and Crow Hill Road, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549Parking is sometimes available in the furthest west corner of the Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church parking lot alongside Route 133 and across from the sanctuary or on Red Oak Lane. Dogs are permitted on leash. The small sanctuary has approximately 1 mile of walking trails, clearly marked.
Cranberry LakeNo dogs allowed.
Croton Gorge County ParkCrawford ParkN Ridge Street, Port Chester, NYMrs. Crawford left her mansion and property to the Town of Rye to be used as a park for passive recreation. The grounds are large enough for a brief stroll. Dogs are allowed in this park, but not in the adjacent park to the south.
Croton Point County ParkCroton-on-Hudson, NYSeasonal parking fee may apply. Dogs allowed on leash. Huge parking lot, many picnic tables.
Edith Read SanctuaryNear Playland, Rye NyGreat waterfront sanctuary located next to Playland. When Playland isn't open there is free parking, $7 otherwise. Drive through the large lot and keep going following signs to Edith Read where there is a smaller parking area. No dogs allowed.
Franklin - Fels Memorial SanctuaryLake View Drive, North Salem, NYThe Ruth Walgreen Franklin and Winifred Fels Memorial Sanctuary is 204 acres of mainly low deciduous woodlands, Red Maple Swamp and Shrub Swamp. It's been mostly undeveloped, but is gradually being improved by the Bedford Audubon society. Dogs may not be allowed, but there was no signage specifically disallowing them as of May, 2007.
Field Farmstead Preserve63 Fields Lane, Brewster, NYThis small preserve is located at the top of the hill in front of Brewster Ice Arena. There is parking at the ice rink.
Gateway ParkSprout Brook Road, Cortlandt, NYA very nice woodland park with some hills and streams and a couple of scenic view points. Trails are slightly hard to follow. Dogs allowed on leash. Parking is at the ballpark across the street on Sprout Brook Road. Five Islands Park10 Le Fevres Lane, New Rochelle, NYFranklin Fels Memorial SanctuaryParking area on Lakeview Rd, North Salem, NY204 acre park with hiking trails. Dogs allowed.
Gedney ParkGeorges Island County ParkDutch Street, Montrose, NYA 208 acre waterfront park with a boat launching area. Trails are in need of maintenance. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Glazier ArboretumWhippoorwill Rd, Chappaqua, NYNice 44 acre park with trails through open fields and forest. The park contains demonstration areas of how homeowners can live with nature including a deer resistant garden, selected shrub plantings, and bird boxes. Graff SanctuaryFurnace Dock Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NYVery nice small audobon nature sanctuary located across the street from Oscawana County Park. Don't blink, or you'll miss the entrance on Furnace Dock Road. Dogs allowed on leash.
Graham HillsGraham Hills Park features several miles of aggressive single track for the intermediate to advanced rider. Hikers on busy weekends should watch out for speeding cyclists. The entrance is located in Pleasantville on Rt 117, just East of the Taconic State Parkway. Dogs allowed. Haas Sanctuary102 Tripp St., Mt. Kisco, NYSmall, 14.5 acre nature preserve on the Eastern edge of New Castle featuring beautiful rock formations and large tulip and sugar maple trees. Small trail system. Dogs allowed. Limited parking on Tripp St., pull off the road in front of santuary sign. A new entrance is planned on Shelter St., summer 2008. Harbor Island ParkMamaroneck Ave and Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NYPark with harbor views and lots of parking for playing fields.
Hemlock Brook Preserve1144 Baptist Church Road, Yorktown Hts, NYThe roadside the opening to the preserve is small and between two homes. No marked trails in the 14 acre preserve.
Hilltop Hannover Farms1271 Hanover Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598Three separate, inter-linked trails in 134 acres of forest. Open from dawn to dusk. Parking areas located at trail heads on the east side of Hanover Street. No Dogs allowed. Open 10am - 4:30pm year round with 3.5 miles of hiking trails. Hudson Highlands State ParkLocated near the Westchester -- Putnam County borders. This large park includes Breakneck Ridge and the Appalachian Trail passes through it. Hunt Woods ParkCentral Parkway, near Devonia Ave, Mt. Vernon, NYA 21 acre preserve in Bronxville/Mt Vernon with a short bit of hiking trails along a stream. Very popular spot with dog walkers. East Irvington Nature Preserve335 Taxter Rd, Irvington NYSmall wooded Preserve. Dogs allowed.
Irvington WoodsCyrus Fields Road, Irvington, NYKetchum Memorial SanctuaryBedford, NYA 26 acre park located near St. Matthews Church in Bedford. Parking can be found near the rear of the church parking lot. Dogs allowed. Kitchawan Preserve712 Kitchawan Road, Ossining, NY 10562Popular, dog friendly hiking area.
Larchmont Reservoir687 Weaver St, Larchmont NYHiking trails around a couple of lakes. Dogs allowed.
Lasdon ArboretumLenoir Preserve90 Dudley St, YonkersSmall, 40 acre preserve with a few trails and bird watching. No dogs.
Letherstocking TrailLewisboroMarion Yarrow Preserve and Mount Holly SanctuaryHolly Hill Ln & Mt Holly Rd, Katonah, NY 10536Two small, very nice adjacent preserves in Katonah. Marion Yarrow has a lovely little waterfall. Trails in Mount Holly Sanctuary can be a bit muddy. Dogs allowed on leash. There is a small parking area for 2-3 cars along Mount Holly Road just north of Holly Hill Lane and an additional parking area for a couple more cars across the street a short distance north.
Marsh SanctuaryS. Bedford Rd (Rte 172), Mt. Kisco, NYParking lot next to the caretakers house on Rte 172. Large 156 acre preserve with ample walking trails. Dogs allowed. Other trail entrances are to the SE on Sarles St and faint trails can be found in from nextdoor Leonard Park.
Marshlands Conservancy300 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NYThe only extensive salt water marsh in Westchester. No pets allowed. Restrooms, maps and information are available at the nature center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and most holidays.
MeresteadEugene & Agnes Meyer PreserveOregon Road, Armonk, NY 10504A 247 acre Nature Conservancy preserve in Armonk. Some rugged sections, with rock outcroppings and a stream that creates a small but beautiful hemlock gorge leading to a red maple swamp. No dogs allowed. Mianus River Gorge167 Mianus River Rd, Bedford, NY 10506This was one of the first Nature Conservancy properties and is only open from April 1 - November 30 (closed in winter). It is in Westchester County NY near the Connecticut border. The Mianus River continues south into CT and the neighboring Mianus River Park in CT is open year round. Parking (N41 11.170 W73 37.308) is near the north end of the gorge on Mianus Road (dirt) near the junction of 172 and 104.
Mianus River Park475 Cognewaugh Rd, Cos Cob, CTThe Connecticut side of the Mianus River has this busy park. Dogs are allowed on leash, but lots and lots of unleashed dogs can be encountered on the weekend. A river runs through it, many trails, mountain bike friendly, with limited parking off Merriebrook Lane and more parking on Cognewaug Rd. Montrose Point State ForestKings Ferry Road, Town of CortlandtThis 100 acre area on Montrose Point has a couple miles of well marked hiking trails and a lookout point along the Hudson River. The largest Osage Orange Tree in NY can be found in the forest. Dogs are allowed on leash. Trails connect to neighboring Georges Island County Park. Henry MorgenthauNo dogs allowed. Very small. Pond. Iceskaters. Mountain Lakes Camp208 Hawley Lakes Rd, North Salem, NYIncludes the highest point in Westchester County. Dogs allowed. Muscoot FarmRoute 100, Somers, NYNo dogs allowed. Otherwise it has a very nice trail system, ample parking, and farm display stuff for the kids. Easy car access from 684 - 35- 100.
Nature Study Woodssee Twin LakesOscawana Island Nature Preserve and Oscawana County ParkCortlandt Street, Croton-on-HudsonThe small island park to the west has a few trails and Hudson River access popular with fisherman. The larger Oscawana County Park has access points along the southern edge on Furnace Dock Road. The trails are poorly maintained and bushwacking is likely through spots. There are numerous ruins of an abandoned overgrown estate. There's also a small waterfall.
Pinecliff SanctuaryA very cute little nature sanctuary with a board walk around a red maple swamp. Pruyn Sanctuary275 Millwood Road, Millwood, NY 10514Dogs allowed on leash.
Rockefeller State ParkSleepy Hollow Rd and Rt 117, Sleepy Hollow, NYExcellent wide, well marked trails. Carriage roads are very easy for walking. Stunningly beautiful in the fall. Has streams with bridges, a nature center, Swan Lake, many birds. Dogs are allowed. Wheelchair and stroller friendly. The place is crowded on weekends, but nearly deserted during the week. Parking is $6, but free parking can be found near the trail head on Sleepy Hollow Road or along Rte 448 on the eastern side of the park.
Rye Nature Center810 Boston Post Road, Rye, NYThis is a small park with a few well marked trails in the woods. No dogs allowed.
Saxon Woods Park1799 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605Large, 700 acre park with a variety of recreational activites (pool, golf, barbecue pits) in addition to hiking trails. Dogs allowed on leash, but not in the adjacent Weinberg Nature Center. The park straddles the Hutchinson Parkway. Parking lots can be found on the eastern side of the park on either side of the Hutch (Exit 23). Alternative parking choices include the Weinberg Nature Center on the west side just south of the Hutch (Exit 22), or street parking on side streets along Saxon Woods Road near the north end of the park. A small bridge entrance can be found across from Teramar Way.
Silver Lake8 Old Lake St, Harrison, NY
Betsy Sluder PreserveOld Route 22, Armonk, NY // Back entrance on Shippen RdSmall preserve with a few well marked trails. Can be overgrown and buggy in summer, but nice other times of the year. Dogs allowed. It's listed on some maps as the Whipporwill Ridge Park, but both entrances have signage calling it the Betsy Sluder Preserve. Sprain Ridge Park175 Jackson Ave, Hastings-on-HudsonA 278 acre park near Yonkers with wooded hiking trails. Other attractions include a pool and picnic areas.
Sunny Ridge PreserveCroton Dam Road & Grace Lane, New CastleAn 82 acre preserve with 2.5 miles of walking trails on Rte 134 in Ossining. Newly opened by the town of New Castle in April, 2008. Sylvan Glen ParkMorris Lane and Grant Ave, Yorktown, NYLarge park with several hiking trails through woods and around the old Mohegan Quarry. One of the Old Leatherman's caves is said to be found in the park. There is ample parking, and dogs are permitted on leash. Tarrytown ReservoirParking on Neperan Rd // 2nd Parking areaA paved path runs through the woods and along side the reservoir making it a good place for taking a stroll, walking the dog, or doing a little bird watching.
Teatown Lake Reservation1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining, New YorkNice park located around a large lake with a boardwalk. Dogs allowed on leash. Treetops State ParkMerriebrook Ln, Stamford, CTA 100 acre park in CT bordering Mianus River Park on the south and accessible from the Mianus trails. It is open to visitors from 8:00 A.M. until sunset. Dogs are allowed on the property but must be kept on leashes. There are a few parking spaces on the Merriebrook Lane dead-end in Stamford. Donald Trump State ParkFrench Hill: Old Baldwin Rd, Yorktown // Indian Hill: Indian Hill Rd, Jefferson ValleyTwo separate park sections approximately 4 miles apart: French Hill in Yorktown Heights and Indian Hill in Jefferson Valley. The French Hill section includes 154 acres in Westchester County. It is heavily wooded and has a 20-acre wetland area. The heights east of this spot were occupied by the French army under Rochambeau during the American Revolution. The larger Indian Hill includes 282 acres of woods, meadow and wetland straddling Westchester and Putnam counties. Dogs are allowed. Turkey Mountain ParkLocke Lane, Yorktown Heights, NYThe entrance is off 118 across the road from Croton Heights Road (Which leads to Peter Pratts Restaurant). There is a sign for the park, but Peter Pratts sign is a little more visible. No dogs allowed in the park. A small loop system of trails with a lookout/summit point. Twin Lakes/Nature Study WoodsTrail entrance on California Rd, Eastchester // Webster Ave entrance, New RochelleThese two adjacent parks have 220 acres of woods, marsh, lakes, ponds and some fields along the Hutchinson River in New Rochelle and Eastchester. There's a nice loop around the reservoir and several access points. Dogs are welcome.
V. Everit Macy ParkArdsley, NyA tiny little park along the Saw Mill Parkway. It can only be entered going Northbound at exit 19. Parking here provides access to the South County Trailway.
Van Cortlandt ParkParking at the north end of the park at Lee Ave & Forest Ave, YonkersLocated at the top of the Bronx, just below Yonkers, this park is over 1000 acres. There's an amazing amount of wooded places for a park so close to NYC. Many trails, not well marked.
Warburg ParkPinesbridge Road, Millwood NY 10562Small park with a few miles of hiking trails. Dogs allowed.
Ward Pound Ridge ReservationEntrance kiosk is near Michigan Rd after the 35/121 junctionThe largest park in Westchester, it charges $8 admission. Dogs are allowed. Westchester Amateur Astonomers have montly stargazing meetings in the large meadow, with free admission.
Westchester Wilderness WalkUpper Shad Rd & Miller Rd Pound Ridge, NY 10576Excellent well marked trails with trees lining the sides plus ample signage with well marked trail forks. A nature walk at the beginning. Some trees have identifying labels, and a ruin of a house can be found. Trails are a bit rugged, some small streams, well lined with rocks to stay dry. Dogs are allowed. 8-9 miles of trails There is limited parking (2-3 cars) at the south entrance on Upper Shad Road at N41 10.543 W73 35.965. (Residents don't want parking at north end).
Westmoreland Sanctuary260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford, NYLarge 625 acre nature preserve in Westchester County with several miles of hiking trails. Located across the street from Butler Sanctuary. There is a museum/visitor center open on some days. No dogs allowed in the preserve.
Whippoorwill Park390 Whippoorwill Rd, New Castle, NYWoodsy 167 acre park with a pond and a few trails. Other nearby areasBabcock PreserveGreenwich, CTClear Lake Scout Reservation199 Clear lake, Putnam Valley, NYFahnestock State ParkPutnam Valley, NYFishkill Ridge60 Old Albany Post Road, Cold Spring, NYNice gentle climb of approx. 1000 feet takes you up along Fishkill Ridge with some beautiful views of the Hudson and surrounding area.
Great Swamp WetlandCovering 6,000 acres, the Great Swamp wetland area stretches for 20 miles through 5 municipalities: Dover, Pawling, Patterson, and Southeast.
Hemlock Hills - Pine MountainMain parking at Bogus Rd and Neds Mountain Rd, Ridgefield, CTGreat set of hiking trails, part of the Ridgefield Open Space. Hemlock Hills is (mostly) closed to all hikers from Oct 15 - Dec 18 when firearm hunting is permitted from Oct 15 - Dec 18, except Sundays and all of Thanksgiving weekend. Room for several cars in the small lot at Bogus Rd. Additional parking can be found on Pine Mountain Rd.
Hook Mountain State ParkNear Rockland Lake and Nyack Beach on the west side of the Hudson. No dogs allowed.
Walter Kidde Dinosaur ParkW McClellan Ave, Livingston, NJRoseland Quarry, Riker Hill Fossil Site, and Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park are all contiguous to Becker Park in Livingston, NJ. Trails are a bit overgrown, but once you get to the slate bed area, one can spend time poking around looking for dinosaur tracks. Dogs allowed.
New Jersey Palisades ParkA long park along the Hudson River on the New Jersey side. One of its truly stunning hikes is along the Giant Stairs, a rock formation created by thousands of landslides over the eons. The trail here proceeds for about a mile scrambling across the rocks and large boulders. Saugatuck ReservoirSeth Low Pierrepont State Park60 Barlow Moutain Rd, Ridgefield, CTFairly large park in Ridgefield, CT with a few miles of hiking trails, a large lake for fishing, and dogs are allowed. Wonder Lake State ParkLudingtonville Road, Kent, NY 12531
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Lynn Salmon <>{ Last Updated: June 10, 2009 |
