John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary
West Park (Ulster County) Why we love it The open ridgelines, secluded forests, wetlands and fascinating rock formations that make this a must-visit destination for hikers today also proved indispensable to nature writer John Burroughs (1837-1921), who sought inspiration among...
Overmountain Conservation Area
Ancram (Columbia County) Why we love it Want to experience the Taconic Mountains — along the Hudson Valley’s eastern boundary — without scaling them? Hike this Columbia Land Conservancy gem. Its ridge-top trails afford super views of these peaks (especially...
Fuller Mountain Preserve
Warwick (Orange County) Why we love it The Orange County Land Trust, which protected and maintains this 255-acre preserve, calls it “one of Orange County’s best kept secrets.” Actually, it belongs on any short list of the Hudson Valley’s “hidden”...
Empire State Plaza Skating Rink
Albany (Albany County) Why we love it Each winter, Empire State Plaza turns into Empire Skate Plaza, Albany’s answer to the rink at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center. Practicing your figure eights upstate will cost you less — in fact, admission is...
Beattie-Powers Place
Catskill (Greene County) Why we love it A great family sledding adventure — one that will please children as well as parents — requires a long hill and something to keep adults occupied while standing around in the cold. The...
Five Locks Walk
High Falls (Ulster County) Why we love it What this mile-long (out-and-back) amble lacks in distance, it more than makes up for in history. It follows the towpath along one of the most impressive portions of the Delaware & Hudson...
Wonder Lake State Park
Patterson (Putnam County) Why we love it The real “wonder” of this 1,100-acre park is that you’ll have it pretty much to yourself — though not far from Interstate 84, it remains a true hidden gem. A number of trails...
Ashokan Rail Trail
Ulster County Why we love it The Hudson Valley’s newest rail trail has history on its side: It traces the route of the old Ulster & Delaware Railroad along the Ashokan Reservoir. It features a packed gravel surface, generous width...