Fort

Garrison School Forest

Historic: 
Fort
Complete: 
Yes
View from the South Redoubt - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

Parkland owned by a school district with hiking trails open to the public and historically important Revolutionary War ruins. 

Hiking
4 miles
181 acres
Garrison
Putnam
NY
*New* East Hudson Trails Map
Cluster/Park: 
Park

The Garrison School Forest with contiguous NYS parkland contain the ruins of two Revolutionary War forts – the North Redoubt and South Redoubt – which once were part of the outer ring of defenses of Fortress West Point, across the Hudson River.  Once owned by Beverly Robinson, a Loyalist who moved to England during the Revolutionary War, the 181 acres of the Forest were donated to the Garrison Union Free School District in 1956 by members of the Sloan, Osborn and Gunther families.

The School Forest contains six trails that wind through woods, ravines, steep ledges, a swamp, a meadow, and the South Redoubt.  The red-blazed Cannon Trail (also identified as the Old Cannon Road) connects to both redoubts.  Click for a detailed description of a 3-mile linear hike along this trail.

Use the Web Map link on this site, scroll down to view two trail maps displaying slight variations, one dating from 2005, the other from 2014.

North Redoubt – Cannon Trailhead (Red)  Located on parkland outside the Garrison School Forest.  From the eastern end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on NY 9D for 5.4 miles to an intersection with Snake Hill Road. Turn right onto Snake Hill Road.

  • Recommended trailhead parking: Travel on Snake Hill Road about 0.2 mile to Nazareth Way, turn right.  An ample parking space is at 20 Nazareth Way, Garrison, NY 10524, GPS: 41.384264, -73.931204
  • Alternatively, follow Snake Hill Road Rd to address number 135, roughly 0.7 mile from the intersection at NY 9D.  GPS: 41.382243, -73.923419
    • According to AgileTrekker: “We parked at #135 Snake Hill Road. It is someone's driveway, but it isn't as bad as it sounds. There is a sign for #135 on the road. Drive down the gravel driveway. There is a house on the right, but keep to your left and pass it. The driveway becomes a bit "rugged" - and you wonder if you are driving down a trail rather than to a parking area. But, just a bit past the house there is a parking area with room for around 5 cars.”

South Redoubt – Sloan Carriage Trail (Gray)  From the eastern end of Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on NY 9D for 4.6 miles.  Turn right on Route 403 (Cat Rock Road).  Travel to #322 Cat Rock Road, turn left onto a paved driveway (shared and co-owned by the Garrison School Forest), which leads to a parking area for 4-5 cars to the right of a private house.  GPS: 41.371929, -73.931280

Garrison School Forest
Nearby Parks: 
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Last Update: 
12/09/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin

North and South Redoubts

North-facing view over the Hudson River, from the North Redoubt - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
0
Summary: 

This hike climbs to the North and South Redoubts, built to defend West Point during the Revolutionary War, with panoramic views.

2 hours
Moderate
3 miles
Route type: 
Out and back
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Public Transportation
Views
Historic: 
Fort
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
East Hudson Highlands
East Hudson Highlands Region
NY
Putnam
101 East Hudson Trails South
*New* East Hudson Trails Map
11/23/2017
Driving: 

From the eastern end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. 9D for 5.4 miles to an intersection with Snake Hill Road. Turn right onto Snake Hill Road and follow it for 0.3 mile to a parking area for the North Redoubt, on the right side of the road.

Train: 

Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Garrison station. From the station, head north on Lower Station Road. At the next intersection, turn sharply right onto Upper Station Road and follow it uphill to N.Y. Route 9D. Turn left onto Route 9D and follow it for 0.4 mile to Snake Hill Road. Turn right onto Snake Hill Road and follow it for 0.3 mile to the parking area for the North Redoubt, on the right. The total distance from the station to the trailhead is about 1.3 miles.

The North and South Redoubts, the destinations of this hike, were part of a system of fortifications established during the Revolutionary War to protect West Point and the Hudson Highlands. Both redoubts offer panoramic views over the Hudson River.

HOTW Date: 
Tue, 11/28/2017
HOTW Count: 
2

Rutgers Ecological Preserve [Kilmer Woods]

Historic: 
Fort
Complete: 
Yes
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

Rutgers Ecological Preserve is a tract of woods and fields located on the Piscataway Campus of Rutgers University

Hiking
Mountain biking
Contact park
8 miles
425 acres
Lat/Lon: 
40.516138, -74.436490
New Brunswick
Middlesex
NJ
Brochure with trail map
Cluster/Park: 
Park

Rutgers Ecological Preserve (Kilmer Woods) is part of a 425-acre tract of undeveloped forest land located on the Piscataway Campus of Rutgers University. The area was once part of the U.S. Army's Camp Kilmer, which included barracks, a mess hall, a prisoner-of-war camp, and bunkers for ammunition.  Today, all that remains of the camp are some paved areas in the middle of the tract and mounds of soil built to shield troops from the ammunition stores. 

A compact 7.5-mile network of six blazed trails (ranging from 0.3 mile to 2.8 miles) spreads through mature beech, maple, oak forests and fields in various stages of succession back to forest. Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map that shows multiple opportunities for loop hikes.

 

For the public this is parkland primarily for weekend hiking.

During normal university business hours (M-F 8am-5pm) parking is restricted to those with a valid RU parking pass. Public parking is available on weekends on Rutgers New Brunswick’s Livingston Campus in Lot 101 (GPS coordinates: 40.521375, -74.437568), the Scarlet Lot (GPS coordinates: 40.524270, -74.442356), as well as along Avenue E and Road 1. (See Web Map link on this site) 

The EcoPreserve is a short walk from the Rutgers University bus stop at the Livingston Quads on Road 3.

Unrestricted public parking is also available at adjacent Johnson Park. A trailhead from Johnson Park is at corner of River Road and Cedar Lane.  

 

 

 

Rutgers Ecological Preserve
Fees: 
None
Last Update: 
02/22/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin

Sandy Hook [Gateway National Recreation Area]

Historic: 
Fort
Complete: 
Yes
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

With all the beach-goers summer weekends can be busy.   Hikers will find trails, a multi-use pathway, and ocean beaches open for walking.

Hiking
Mountain biking
See park description
8 miles
2044 acres
Lat/Lon: 
40.460686, -74.002011
Fort Hancock
Monmouth
NJ
Brochure and Trail Map
Cluster/Park: 
Park

Sandy Hook is a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, created by Congress in 1972 to provide parkland around New York Harbor - the gateway through which millions of immigrants entered the New World.  The park includes six miles of ocean beaches, the waters of Sandy Hook Bay, salt marshes, hiking trails, shorebird habitat, historic Fort Hancock, and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse [the oldest in the United States].

The beaches attract hordes of sunbathers during the summer.  However, the off-season visitor can use those same beaches for flying kites, walking, and fishing.  During the spring and summer shorebird nesting season some areas are closed.

A 5.5-mile-long paved multi-use trail, open to hikers, joggers, and bicyclists, extends from the tolls booths at the southern end of the park to Fort Hancock on the northern end, running between the main park road and the ocean for most of the way.

The Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center offers ranger-led historical and natural interpretive programs.  From this site the one-mile Old Dune Trail meanders north through heather and bayberry to a portion of the Holly Forest.

The Fisherman's Trail starts at the Area K lot, at the northern end of the park, and leads 1.5 miles to the tip of Sandy Hook at the ocean shore.  An observation deck, one of four in the park, reached at 0.5 mile, offers a view of the Manhattan skyline.

Use the Web Map link on this site to view a brochure and trail map.

 

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 117, and continue on NJ 36 East for 13.5 miles, following signs to the Gateway National Recreation Area.  GPS coordinates for Visitor Center parking:  40.426705, -73.985282

Public transportation is possible by bus, train, or ferry.

Gateway National Recreation Area – Sandy Hook Unit
Fees: 
Some times and places; check with park
Last Update: 
03/01/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin
Landowner: 
NPS
Manager: 
NPS