The Grant Cottage State Historic Site officially celebrated the completion of a new, fully ADA-accessible paved pathway to its historic Eastern Overlook on Mount McGregor in Wilton, NY. [Read more…] about A New Paved Trail To A Historic Hudson Valley View
hiking
Rangers Report Multiple Rescues of Lost, Injured Hikers
The most recent New York State Forest Rangers Report includes efforts to rescue more than a half dozen hikers lost or with knee or lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills. [Read more…] about Rangers Report Multiple Rescues of Lost, Injured Hikers
A Natural Sanctuary: Staten Island’s St. Francis Woodlands
St. Francis Woodlands, a former Franciscan Friars property in the Staten Island Greenbelt, is full of hidden ecological treasures.
The 25-acre property features a 0.4-mile elevated boardwalk and viewing platform that make the forested environment and upland swamp habitats accessible to all visitors. [Read more…] about A Natural Sanctuary: Staten Island’s St. Francis Woodlands
Forest Rangers Respond to Lost, Injured Outdoor Recreationists
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to multiple backcountry incidents from August 18th through August 22nd. These included lost and injured hikers, stranded and injured boaters, an injured cliff jumper and more. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Lost, Injured Outdoor Recreationists
Avalanche Pass Trail Reopens After Massive Landslide
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the reopening of the popular Avalanche Pass Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Park. In July 2025, intense rock and mud slides from Mount Colden swept across the width of the pass, making the trail unusable and temporarily flooded. DEC closed the trail, conducted an assessment of the damage, and began the trail work planning and approval processes to reopen Avalanche Pass. [Read more…] about Avalanche Pass Trail Reopens After Massive Landslide
New Bridges Closing Some Genesee Valley Greenway Trail Gaps
Construction has begun on four new pedestrian bridges along the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park in Allegany County, NY that will restore connections where former railroad bridges had been removed, allowing trail users to remain on the Greenway rather than detouring onto local roadways, including busy Route 19. Together with targeted resurfacing, the $6.25 million improvements will provide 22 miles of continuously surfaced recreational corridor. [Read more…] about New Bridges Closing Some Genesee Valley Greenway Trail Gaps
Rangers Kept Busy With Wildfire & Adirondack, Catskills Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers and local emergency crews responded to ten incidents involving a wildland fire and backcountry wilderness rescues over the past week. The wildfire occurred in the Town of Webb, where crews used an inflatable boat to transport supplies and extinguish an unattended campfire that spread to 100 square feet. [Read more…] about Rangers Kept Busy With Wildfire & Adirondack, Catskills Rescues
High Peaks Avalanche Pass Trail Rebuild Underway
Last summer, heavy rain triggered a massive landslide on Mount Colden in the Adirondack High Peaks. The landslide dumped downed trees, rocks, and mud into Avalanche Pass. Since then, the trail through Avalanche Pass has been closed to hikers.
State and volunteer crews have been working this summer to clean up and rebuild the trail. [Read more…] about High Peaks Avalanche Pass Trail Rebuild Underway
Rangers Recover Body, Make Multiple Backcountry Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers recently participated in at least seven wilderness rescue missions across New York State, including on the Appalachian Trail and near Kaaterskill Falls; two hikers within an hour near Hurricane Mountain; and several in West Canada Lake Wilderness. [Read more…] about Rangers Recover Body, Make Multiple Backcountry Rescues
First Adirondack Rail Trail User Survey Getting Underway
The Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA) is asking trail users to participate in a visitor survey designed to measure the trail’s economic impact and identify how community members are using the trail.
Starting July 30 and continuing throughout the coming year, ARTA staff and volunteers will conduct surveys at trailheads and other locations along the 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail. [Read more…] about First Adirondack Rail Trail User Survey Getting Underway
New Accessible Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) marked the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, and public accommodations – by highlighting new investments that are expanding access to outdoor recreation and helping ensure New York’s public lands are welcoming to visitors of all abilities. [Read more…] about New Accessible Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers spent a busy week rescuing numerous people from backcountry dangers, including: a 77-year-old rescued by helicopter in the Adirondack High Peaks; Lows Lake campers stranded by a violent storm; a teen medical emergency near Cranberry Lake; a capsized boat; an injured cliff jumper on the West Branch Ausable River which included a technical rope rescue; and dehydrated hikers and hikers with lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Be sure to eat before hiking and bring plenty of water and extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Read the Ten Hiking Essentials. [Read more…] about Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week across the state responding to a plane crash near the Adirondack Rail Trail, several wilderness rescues, and wildfires in the Adirondack High Peaks and in Stony Creek. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
OSI Purchases Sabattis Scout Camp on Lows Lake
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has acquired the 1,525-acre former Sabattis Scout Reservation in St. Lawrence County, NY. Located within the Adirondack Park, the property includes historic campgrounds, ponds, hiking trails, and several miles of shoreline along Lows Lake.
The lake is a popular paddling destination in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, about 10 miles from Tupper Lake. [Read more…] about OSI Purchases Sabattis Scout Camp on Lows Lake
New Watkins Glen State Park Sentry Bridge Installed
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has opened the new Sentry Bridge at Watkins Glen State Park, restoring full access to the renowned Gorge and Southern Rim Trails.
The bridge reconnects visitors to the park’s iconic waterfalls, overlooks and trail network in one of New York’s most visited parks. [Read more…] about New Watkins Glen State Park Sentry Bridge Installed
Watchable Wildlife: Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area
Visit Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for a peaceful, crowd-free escape with direct, undeveloped access to Cayuga Lake, on of the Finger Lakes. This WMA consists of 287 acres along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Lansing, in Tompkins County, New York. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area
Dog Rescued After Fall Over Falls; Ill and Injured Hikers Rescued
New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week with dangerous rescue operations in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and elsewhere. Including a dog that went over the edge at Fawn’s Leap Falls; an unconscious hiker at Kaaterskill Falls; several hikers with lower leg injuries; and more. [Read more…] about Dog Rescued After Fall Over Falls; Ill and Injured Hikers Rescued
Adirondack Land Trust Protects 2,400 Acres; Buys New Headquarters
The Adirondack Land Trust has made two recent important purchases – 2,390 acres in the Essex County town of Chesterfield and “the round building” at 2345 Saranac Avenue in Lake Placid, which it is planning to transform into office space for the land conservation nonprofit’s new headquarters. [Read more…] about Adirondack Land Trust Protects 2,400 Acres; Buys New Headquarters
Rangers Recover Paddler’s Body, Make Multiple Rescues July 4th Weekend
NYS Forest Rangers had a busy July 4th weekend in which they recovered the body of a paddler; rescued two people on an inflatable kayak from rapids they didn’t know existed on the Saranac River; assisted with an overturned sailboat on Lake Champlain; rescued someone from the rapids in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness; and two teens hiding from a black bear near Lake George. [Read more…] about Rangers Recover Paddler’s Body, Make Multiple Rescues July 4th Weekend
Empire State Trail Report Offers Insights Across New York State
The Empire State Trail is a 750-mile multi-use trail spanning New York State, making it the longest single-state multi-use trail in the United States. Completed in December 2020, the network connects New York City to the Canadian border and Buffalo to Albany, creating a continuous route for bicyclists, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
A landmark 2026 study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York found that the trail generates $1.87 billion in annual economic output, supports 9,680 jobs, produces $640.9 million in employee earnings, and generates $206 million in state and local tax revenue. [Read more…] about Empire State Trail Report Offers Insights Across New York State