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HELLO!
Welcome to Columbia
County's
Great Outdoors! From
the Hudson River easterly to the Berkshires we are
fortunate to have access to one of nature's most
beautiful spots. By putting this chapter together
I have learned so much about the land around us and what
wonderful opportunities we have to get out and enjoy.
I hope this summary will be enlightening.
Allen
Best Country Roads
Columbia County -
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Here
PARKS
and
PUBLIC CONSERVATION LANDS
Beebe
Hill State Forest
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Beebe Hill State Forest, Located near Austerlitz, Beebe
Hill rises only 300 feet above the surrounding area. If
you climb its fire tower, you will be rewarded with
great views
County Route 5, Austerlitz.
Contact: NYS
DEC Region 4 Forest Ranger 518 828-0236
Borden's Pond -
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A joint
project of the Borden's Pond Preserve and the Columbia
Land Conservancy, located within walking distance of the
Village of Chatham. A lower trail leads visitors along a
small stream to a pond overlook with trails leading to
an upland forest.
Columbia Land Conservancy
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"Columbia Land Conservancy works with the community to
conserve the farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and
rural character of Columbia County, strengthening
connections between people and the land." Recognizing
that the county’s landscapes are in jeopardy, the
Columbia Land Conservancy is committed to helping assure
that these irreplaceable natural and agricultural
resources will become a permanent feature of Columbia
County.
Drowned Lands Swamp
Conservation Area
-
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in Ancram is
characterized by woodlands, open fields, streams,
extensive wetlands and the northern portion of a
350-foot hill, known locally as "Old Croken." The larger
Drowned Lands Swamp ecosystem, covering approximately
2,000 acres, is one of the largest wetland complexes in
southeastern New York. This area encompasses some of
Columbia County's most intact agricultural communities,
including a number of family operated dairy farms.
Greenport Conservation Area -
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714-acre property along the Hudson River, and includes
upland meadows, deciduous forests, and an estuarine
wetland. The Conservation Area is owned by the Open
Space Institute and managed by the Columbia Land
Conservancy. The site is open to the public and
contains four miles of trails that meander through open
fields, deciduous forests and dense cedar groves. Along
the trails, visitors can stop for a picnic at the
gazebo, overlook bench or picnic shelter and can admire
spectacular views of the Hudson River and Catskill
Mountains beyond.
Access for All Trail
is the first of its kind along the Hudson River. Funded
by the Hudson River Foundation’s Catskill-Olana
View-shed Mitigation Fund, the one-mile trail has a firm
and stable surface, allowing visitors in wheelchairs
access to bluffs overlooking the Hudson River. In
addition the trailhead, gazebo and picnic shelter
overlooks have been paved with natural stone, providing
durability and accessibility to these popular
destinations. CALL AHEAD
Hand Hollow -
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Here
414-acre Hand Hollow Conservation Area, owned and
managed by the Columbia Land Conservancy, is
characterized by woodlands, meadows, a lake, two ponds,
streams, and wetlands. ACCESS: From Route 295,
approximately .75 miles east of East Chatham, take
County Route 9 north. In approximately 3.5 miles turn
left onto Gale Hill Road, a parking area is located on
the right side approximately 1 mile from the
intersection. 2nd ACCESS: County Route 9, just north
of the intersection of County Route 34. Parking is next
to a beige farmhouse with a large pond.
Harvey Mountain State Forest -
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"Harvey Mountain is a magnificent site
for hiking and other outdoor activities, and offers
striking views of surrounding mountain ranges," said
Governor Pataki. "By preserving these forested lands, we
will significantly increase public access to this
popular outdoor area and
enlarge Harvey Mountain State Forest by 27 percent."
This northern hardwood forest is a continuation of the
habitat found in western Massachusetts and Vermont.
Nearly 1600 acres of hemlock and birch host
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Hermit Thrushes, Red-breasted
Nuthatches and Blue-headed Vireos. This is a good place
to search for irruptive northern species.
Harvey Mountain Trail -
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Austerlitz NY/Massachusetts Hikes
A little-known trail with
views of the southern Taconics from a
blueberry knoll and free camping. Scenic vantage points
in the southern Taconics’ tapering northern hills offer
unusual views of the Taconic Plateau. From the
east and west as viewed from the valley, the range looks
like a long, low ridge with minimal relief, but from the
north the plateau views are spectactular.
High Falls Conservation Area -
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The
High Falls, a 47-acre property located in the Village of
Philmont, is owned and managed by the Columbia Land
Conservancy. High Falls, Columbia County’s highest
waterfall, cascades 150 feet before culminating in a
large pool. The
water flows northwest until eventually reaching the
Hudson River.
The trail leads visitors from a parking area to an
overlook of the falls. It proceeds upstream towards the
main view of High Falls. The sound of the Falls draws
visitors towards this destination. The return trip winds
through deciduous woodland with stone walls that reflect
the site’s lumbering and agricultural history. A spur
trail leads down the Agawamuck Creek to a streamside
picnic area.
Route 217 (Main Street) in Philmont, turn south on
Roxbury Road, cross over the Agawamuck Creek.Entrance to
parking lot & trail head is 100yds up on the left.
Hudson
River Islands State Park -
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Hudson River Islands State Park facilities are
concentrated on the
islands of Gay's Point and Stockport Middle Ground.
These islands
are fragile communities with many rare and endangered
plant and
animal species. Day-use facilities include picnic areas
with grills and nature trail. Fishing and transient
camping is allowed.
ACCESS BY BOAT ONLY from the west banks of the Hudson.
One mile south of Coxsackie Boat Launch Site. Four miles
north
of Athens Boat Launch Site.
Lake Taghkanic State Park -
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Nestled next to
Lake Taghkanic in the rolling hills and lush forests of
Columbia County, the park offers a variety of
recreational activities. It has tent and trailer
campsites and cabin and cottage camping facilities, two
beaches, picnic grounds and a boat launch. In addition,
the park has hiking, biking, cross-country ski and
snowmobile trails. Ice skating and ice fishing are
permitted when conditions are appropriate.
1528 Route 82, Ancram NY
12502 - 518 851-3631
Reservations: 800 456-2267
Lewis A. Swyer
Preserve
A
freshwater tidal swamp is formed only rarely, requiring
a river bed close to sea level for a long distance from
the mouth of the river. At the Lewis A. Swyer Preserve,
120 miles up the Hudson River, daily tides change the
fresh water level in Mill Creek by more than four feet.
Frequent flooding of the adjacent flat land has created
the freshwater tidal swamp that is one of only five in
New York State.
On 95 acres, with a half-mile boardwalk on the
preserve reveals three natural communities to visitors:
a freshwater tidal swamp, a freshwater tidal marsh and
freshwater intertidal mudflats. Ever-shifting tides
reveal different secrets of the preserve with each
passing season, and diverse species flourish in and
around the swamp's waters.
Route 9J, Stuyvesant
New
Forge State
Forest
New Forge Rd #2, off Rt 82, Taghkanic
State Forest Ranger C.
Dicintio 518-828-0236
New
York State Dept. of
Conservation -
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New
York State Parks
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Nutten Hook State Unique Area
Primarily
rural and residential,
Stuyvesant is
developing a nature preserve and Hudson River access
point at Nutten Hook, in conjunction with which the town
is renovating its railroad depot.
Olana State Historic Site & Park -
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Home of
noted Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church
and museum of his works and other period painters.
The grounds overlooking the Hudson are spectacular.
5720 Route 9G,
Greenport, 518-828-0135
Ooms Conservation
Area -
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Here
The 180-acre
Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond contains a
scenic pastoral landscape with open grassland and
aquatic habitat that attracts a high diversity of bird
species. A wonderful place for a picnic. Spectacular
panoramic views of rolling countryside and the Taconic
Mountains. Includes the 35-acre Sutherland Pond, which
attracts fishermen from around the region. Owned by the
Open Space Institute and managed by the Columbia Land
Conservancy.
Open Space
Institute
-
Click Here
Rogers Island
State Wildlife Management Area
281 acres, upland, wetland, boat access, bird watching,
snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and trapping. This WMA
is located in the Town of Greenport. To reach the area
from the east side of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, take
NYS Route 23 east ½ mile, turn left on Hallenbeck Road,
go 3/4 mile to state land.
ROUND BALL Mountain -
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A
105.6-acre property in Ancram offering spectacular views
of the Harlem Valley and the Taconic Mountains. The
property rises to a summit of 1,318 feet, with a gentle
ascent on one side making the peak easily accessible,
while other areas of the property are characterized by
steep slopes, rocky outcroppings, cascading streams, and
associated woodland habitats including a number of
mosses and ferns. The property is located within the
watershed of the Harlem Valley Wetland Complex which
supports a number of rare reptiles and plant species.
Directions:
Until improvements are complete, please contact the
office at 518-392-5252 or email
info@clctrust.org
for a tour of this property.
Stockport Creek State Wetland
Preservation Area
Stockport Flats
Stockport Creek
State Wetland Preservation Area
Includes Stockport Creek Marshes, Gays Point Marsh,
Stuyvesant Marshes, and Nutten Hook) is a 1,600-acre
tidal freshwater wetland and tributary habitat complex
that extends along the eastern shore of the Hudson for
about 7 miles, between the hamlet of Newton Hook (Germantown)
and the city of
Hudson.
Stockport Creek is a major tributary of the Hudson
River, formed by the confluence of Kinderhook Creek and
Claverack Creek, which together drain a watershed of
about 500
square miles and provide
4.8 kilometers (3 miles) of accessible
habitat to the first barriers on the second order
creeks. This is the second-largest unobstructed
freshwater tidal stream in the Hudson Estuary
drainage.
Taghkanic State Park -
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Located along
11 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range, sharing a border
with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Two developed areas,
Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, offer an extensive trail
system with terrain that varies from easy to
challenging, offering spectacular views.
Route 344, P.O. Box 100, Copake
Falls, NY 12517 - 518 329-3993 -
Reservations: 800 456-2267
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Photo by Peter Blandori
High Falls
Columbia
Land Conservancy
Claverack
Photo: Peter Blandori
Borden's Pond
Columbia
Land Conservancy
Chatham
Photo by Phil Guthrie
Ooms Conservation Area
Chatham
Snow Shoe
Program
Columbia Land
Conservancy
Taghkanic Falls
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Pachaquack
Preserve
Elm Street (off Route 203)
Village of Valatie - 518-758-9806
River
Street Park
River Street (off Route 9)
Village of Valatie - 518-758-9806
Taconic
State Park
Route 344, off Route
22, Copake Falls
518 329-3993
BIRDING
Alan Devoe Bird Club
-
Click Here
P.O. Box 20
Chatham NY 12037
BOAT CRUISES
Hudson Crusies, Inc
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Click Here
Paddle wheeled 150-passenger vessel
serving Columbia
& Greene County offering
sightseeing, dinner and
Sunday brunch
cruises. Also available for charter cruises
for all occasions. April – October
Office - 234 Warren Street, Hudson
Boat located at the Waterfront Park,
Front Street, Hudson
518 822-1014
Boat Launch Sites -
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Camp Anne -
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Here
Ancramdale
Maryanne.killeen@ahrcnyc.org
Copake Lake
County Route 7, Copake
Hudson
River
Hudson - Front Street, Hudson
Germantown - Off County Route 35A,
Anchorage Rd, Germantown
Kinderhook
Lake
County Route 28, Kinderhook - Car top boats
with electric motors only
Queechy Lake
County Route 30, Canaan - Car top boats only
Taghkanic State Park
Camping -
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Lake Taghkanic
State
Park
RD Route 8, Ancram, NY 12502
- See Top
Details
Camp Waubeeka Family Campground
133 Farm Road, Copake, NY
12516
518-329-4681
email:
campwaubeeka@msn.com
Family Campground
Oleana Family Campground
2236 Country Route 7, West Copake
518-329-2811
Woodland Hills
86 Fog Hill
Road, Austerlitz, NY 12017
518-392-3557
Open May through mid-October. 200 sites.
Showers. Swimming and fishing available. Boat
rentals
available.
Recreation building. Camp store, ice. Laundry
FESTIVALS
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Information is
provided here as a PUBLIC SERVICE GUIDE and is deemed
reliable but not guaranteed.
It is
suggested you call the source with any questions.
Copake
Country Club
Copake
GOLF COURSES
Campbell’s Hillside Driving Range
61 Bloody Hill Road, off Route 23, Craryville;
518-325-6651
300+Yds; grass tees, mats, elevated tees, lessons available
Columbia
Golf & Country Club -
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295 Route 217, Claverack
518-851-9195 - 160 Acres, scenic course with Catskill
Mountain views. Historic Club House c.1850, recently
renovated, The Grill Room with the Mahogany Bar and a
bright formal dining room is tastefully fitted.
Copake Country Club
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Click Here
44 Golf Course Road, off County Route 11, Copake
518-325-4338
8 hole par 72; 6100 yards;
March - November, Riding cart rentals;
pull cart rentals; pro-shop; lessons; restaurant; public
course
Diamond Greens Golf & Batting Complex
Route 9H, Claverack
518-851-9430
March - October - Mon
- Fri 12pm-8pm; Sat-Sun 10am-8pm
fun for the whole family:
mini-golf, batting cages, golf driving range, pitch,
putt, sand trap
Ghent
Driving Range
County Route 9 & Hugo Drive, Ghent;
518-672-7996 or 518-672-7922
270 yards; 10 tee boxes with separate grass and
artificial grass tee area, sand rap available
Meadowgreens Golf Course & Restaurant
(please call in advance with regard to scheduling)
1238 Route 9H, Ghent;
518-828-0663
9-hole Par-36; 3012 yards, dining area, bar, public
banquet facilities,
outside dining club, pull cart, riding cart rentals;
lessons available; public course
The Triple Nickel Golf Center
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