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36 Southern Zone
The Southern Zone contains four OPRHP Regions (Long Island, New York City, Taconic and Palisades) and the Catskill Park. It also contains DEC Regions 1, 2, 3 and portions of Region 4.
OPRHP Regions
Long Island Region Belmont Lake State Park P.O. Box 247 Babylon, NY 11802-0247 (631) 669-1000
New York City Region 163 West 125th Street New York, NY 10027 (212) 866-2720
Palisades Region OPRHP State Park Regions Administration Headquarters Bear Mtn., NY 10911-0427 (845) 786-2701
Taconic Region Staatsburg, NY 12580 (845) 889-4100
DEC Regions
Region 1 SUNY-Building 40 Stony Brook, NY 11790 (631) 444-0354
Region 2 1 Hunter’s Point Plaza 47-40 21st Street Long Island City, NY 11101-5407 (718) 482-4900
Region 3 21 South Putt Corners Rd. New Paltz, NY 12561-1696 (845) 256-3000 DEC Regions Region 4 1150 N. Westcott Road Schenectady, NY 12306 (518) 357-2234 37 State Parks Southern Zone
38 Connetquot River State Park Preserve Contact: Box 505 found it difficult to get rooms at value and beauty of the remaining Sunrise Highway Snedecors Inn. The members maintained natural area of Long Island. Oakdale, NY 11769 the land and waters for the protection Deer and waterfowl are numerous, (631) 581-1005 and propagation of of game birds, fish rare nesting birds, including the osprey, and animals. are present and there are numerous rare Trails in system: 50 miles. The area was first opened to plants, such as trailing arbutus and pyxie limited public access in August of 1973, moss in their natural habitats. The Connetquot River State Park and was designated as the first State preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, Preserve continues the traditions of Park Preserve in the State of New York horseback riding, cross-country ski and conservation established on the 3,400- on August 7, 1987. The Park Preserve nature trails, as well as fishing on the acre property by the South Side legislation ensures the preservation of Connetquot River. Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island. The this unique refuge in its present state, A permit is needed for all access to club was formed after the War Between with diverse programs and activities the preserve. Requests should be made the States by a group of sportsmen who geared to develop awareness of the in writing directly to the park.
Contact: 50 South Fairview Avenue Most of the trails in the park are its way through woods and marsh before Montauk, NY 11954 multipurpose trails created on old dirt it flows into Oyster Pond. (631) 668-3781 roads. These trails allow uses such as The Paumanok Path, although still Trails: 6 miles hiking, biking and horseback riding. incomplete, is being touted as the There are two trails that allow only Appalachian Trail of Long Island. Montauk Point State Park is a hiking. The first is the Seal Haulout Completed, the trail will run a projected heavily-wooded tundra leading to the Trail. This trail begins at the Montauk length of 125 miles from Rocky Point to eastern tip of Long Island and the State Parkway and winds its way to Montauk Point. On its way to Montauk historic Montauk Lighthouse. The park Rocky Point. In late winter and spring, Point the path traverses the Pine offers some of the best surf fishing in the harbor seals sun themselves on the Barrens, the Hampton’s and Napeague the world. Montauk Point State Park is rocky shoreline east of Oyster Pond. A State Park, Hither Hills State Park, also a favorite spot of birdwatchers viewing blind at Rocky Point (or Montauk Point State Park and Camp because this park extends the farthest Stepping Stones) is accessed from the Hero State Park. east into the ocean and many species of Seal Haulout Trail. birds stop at the park on their northward The second trail is a segment of migration. The view at the park is the Paumanok Path that runs along the unique. When the water is calm, visitors south east shore of Oyster Pond. This can clearly see the “race” of converging segment is also known as the Ogdens tides from the Atlantic and Block Island Brook Trail. At Ogdens Brook a foot- Sound. Visitors can picnic under the pine bridge takes the trail to the other side of trees, use the nature trails to hike or this “Adirondack Mountain-like” stream. cross-country ski, or spend time The brook twists and tumbles over rocks watching the seals sun on the rocks and tree roots on the south side of the offshore. bridge and to the north, the brook makes
40 Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Contact: 83 Nielson Avenue sand barren, stream and woodland southward to another pond, where it Staten Island, NY 10309 habitats, all within the state’s largest begins the return loop. (718) 967-1976 metropolis. When visiting this park, please The hiking trails are only open to follow the special rules that were Hiking Trail: 1 mile. foot traffic. Guided and self-guided established to help preserve the area. Equestrian Trail: 2 miles. nature walks on these trails expose the visitor to a wide diversity of plant and Clay Pit Ponds is unique in that it animal species for exploration. The is a 260-acre natural area within New equestrian trail skirts around a pond in York City. The preserve offers the the northern area of the park and heads opportunity to experience wetland, field,
41 Clarence Fahnestock State Park Contact: Clarence Fahnestock State Park snowmobiling. Charcoal Burners Trail (red). Turning left, Rte 301 Ridges running from southwest to follow the Charcoal Burners Trail south to Carmel, NY 10512 northeast dominate the terrain. Between where the Cabot Trail (white) turns off to (845) 225-7207 them are several lakes and ponds and the right. It leads west on a forest road. numerous wetlands and streams. Al- Just before the forest road enters a posted Park Trails System: 70 miles. though there are occasional steep area, which should be avoided, the trail Cross-Boundary Circuit: 6 miles. sections, there are no long or difficult turns off sharply to the left. Continuing Located in the highlands of Putnam climbs and, for the most part, grades are south, the Cabot Trail enters a field and County, approximately one hour from New moderate. All trails are blazed with round ends at the Perkins Trail (yellow), where a York City, Clarence Fahnestock State Park plastic discs in a variety of colors or left turn leads over several small ridges offers a variety of year-round activities. In rectangular painted marks. Trail maps are back to the Charcoal Burners Trail (red). addition to the nearly 70 miles of hiking available at the Park Office. The following Turn right on this trail, which crosses trails, the park offers facilities for swim- is a sample of the many hikes available: Route 301. Continuing south, it crosses ming, camping, boating and fishing during Cross-Boundary Circuit -- Including the Old Mine Trail (yellow), then a stream the summer months. In the winter patrons trails in Fahnestock State Park and the before ending at the Three Lakes Trail enjoy cross-county skiing, snowshoeing, Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area, this (blue). Turn left on the Three Lakes Trail, sledding and ice fishing. The park’s trails 6-mile hike begins on Route 301, at the then left on the Appalachian Trail (white) are restricted to day use only. Camping or south end of Canopus Lake, and proceeds and continue back to Canopus Lake. making fires is prohibited except in the north on the Appalachian Trail (white). designated campgrounds. Specific trails Turn left onto the Fahnestock Trail (blue) within the park have been designated for which leads west to a junction with the mountain biking, equestrian use and
42 Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park Contact: 15 Walnut St. Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 245-4434 Trail: 26.2 miles. The trail follows the general route of the Old Croton Aqueduct that conveyed New York City's first public water supply. Beneath the trail lies one of the great engineering achievements of the 19th century. Construction of the aqueduct began in 1837 and was designed and routed by West Point engineering professor Major David B. Douglass. The aqueduct is an elliptical tube measuring 8.5 feet high by 7.5 feet wide. It is lined with brick throughout most of its length. Dropping 13 inches per mile, the aqueduct was gravity-fed as in Roman times. Some sections of the aqueduct were cut into hillsides, while others were constructed in earthen fills through valleys and rivers. Still other sections were constructed in arched bridges; two were used to cross Sing Sing Kill and the Harlem River. Conical venting towers were built approximately every mile to relieve pressure and to keep the water fresh. The aqueduct was capable of transporting 100 million gallons of water a day to the growing population of New York City. The aqueduct was originally designed to meet the needs of New York City for 100 years; however, the capacity of the aqueduct was exceeded much sooner than expected and a new aqueduct was begun in 1885. The old aqueduct supplied water into the 1950s. The present trail route was purchased by the state in 1968. The park trail begins in Cortlandt at the site of the New Croton Dam and parallels the river for most of its route to the Yonkers-New York City line. The trail is used by hikers, bicyclists, photographers, bird watchers, naturalists, historians and joggers. The trail surface is mostly grass except when local streets are used. The Ossining Heritage Area Visitor Center contains information about the construc- tion and history of the aqueduct. The aqueduct remains intact, under the trail, as it was constructed.
43 Minnewaska State Park
Contact: PO Box 893 Ridge with high cliffs that overlook the ately in front, and the Taconic Hills of New Paltz, NY 12561 valley to the east. The trail shown on Connecticut and Massachusetts to the (845) 255-0753 the map is a sample of what is available. right. The route back is on a hiking path Park at the Wildmere parking lot, go back from the right of the viewpoint (yellow Beacon Hill Trail: 2 miles. downhill on the auto road a short blazes.) Beacon Hill Path ascends and distance towards the park entrance to descends sharply until it exits near the To enjoy the marvels of Min- where the Beacon Hill Carriageway site of the old Cliff House picnic field. newaska on foot you need only basic leaves the auto road on the right (orange Turn right at the end of the path onto a equipment, such as a map, comfortable blazes.) Follow this shady, meandering carriageway (red blazes) leading back to footwear, water, lunch or snacks. A road for about a mile until you reach the the parking lot. Other trail activities at wealth of spectacular scenery becomes panoramic view at Beacon Hill. The view Minnewaska include hiking, biking, available to those making the effort to is spectacular and encompasses the horseback riding and cross-country explore the park on its 38 miles of trails. Catskills to the left, tree-covered Dickie skiing. The park sits atop the Shawangunk Barre and the rock formations immedi-
44 State Parks
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◆= services available R=Rentals Available H= Handicapped accessible P=Permit Required
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46 State Lands and Forests Southern Zone
47 Willowemoc Wild Forest
Contact: Department of Environmental Conservation 21 So. Putt Corners Rd. New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 256-3000
Frick Pond Loop: 2.1 miles.
The Willowemoc Wild Forest is 18 miles north of Liberty and 9 miles northeast of Livingston Manor, the closest village with amenities. The Wild Forest surrounds the Mongaup Pond Campground and abuts the Big Indian Wilderness. From Route 17 at exit 96, take county roads 81 and 82 east to De Bruce, turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road. From Fish Hatchery Road, turn left onto Beech Mountain Road (one mile south of the campgrounds,) then drive one-quarter mile to the Frick Pond Trailhead. The Frick Pond Loop Trail leaves the trailhead parking area and follows red DEC trail markers northwest 0.5 miles to Frick Pond. To make a loop around the pond, follow the yellow trail markers.
48 Big Indian Wilderness Area
Contact: Department of lies in the northwest corner of Ulster trailheads that have parking lots. For Environmental Conservation County, just south of the hamlet of example, from the Rider Hollow Trailhead 21 So. Putt Corners Rd. Pine Hill, nearly evenly divided among located in the town of Hardenburg on New Paltz, NY 12561 the neighboring towns of Denning, the Rider Hollow Road, follow red (845) 256-3000 Hardenburgh and Shandaken. Cres- markers to the Mine Hollow junction. cent-shaped, the area also straddles The trail turns northeast and follows Rider Hollow-Mine Hollow Loop: the divide between the Delaware and yellow markers for a one-mile ascent to 4.8 miles. Hudson River Basins. the Pine Hill-West Branch Trail. Turning The Big Indian Wilderness Area south and following blue markers for two The Big Indian Wilderness Area can best be described as a rugged, miles, the trail leads to the summit of encompasses over 35,000 acres of mountainous area marked by deep Balsam Mountain. The hamlet of Big “forever wild” forest preserve land in the glacial cuts resulting in a series of Indian can be seen from this point. At heart of the Catskill Park. The Big Indian parallel, steep-sided hollows. The area the junction of the McKenley Hollow- Wilderness Area has the longest stretch is host to eight prominent peaks Rider Hollow Trail, the route turns of trail through uninterrupted virgin including Balsam, Fir, Haynes and northwest and follows red markers 1.4 forest in the Catskill Mountains, offering Eagle, as well as several unnamed miles back to the parking area. numerous opportunities for solitude in a mountain tops. Elevations range from remote and rugged environment. 1,500-3,860 feet. The Big Indian Wilderness Area Access to the wilderness area can be obtained from a number of
49 State Lands and Forests
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