Dutchess County
Appalachian Trail
3 Krakower Dr., Poughkeepsie; (201) 512-9348
30 miles of the Trail pass through southeastern Dutchess. 4,000
acres of protected parkland with hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing and five overnight use areas.
James Baird State Park
14 Maintenance Lane, Pleasant
Valley; (845) 452-1489
Outdoor enthusiasts will find the seven
miles of scenic wooded trails ideal for hiking in the warm months and cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing in the wintertime.
Mills Norrie State Park
9 Old Post Road, Staatsburg; (845)
889-4646
The numerous
trails that thread through the grounds of both Mills and Norrie State Parks are
ideal for cross country skiing and snow shoeing - treating visitors to fabulous
views of the Hudson River which runs directly along the parks' western
boundaries.
Ogden Mills
& Ruth Livingston Mills State Park
Mills Mansion 1 Road, Staatsburg; (845)
889-4646
The numerous trails that thread
through the grounds of both Mills and Norrie State Parks are ideal for cross
country skiing and snow shoeing - treating visitors to fabulous views of the
Hudson River which runs directly along the parks' western boundaries.
Orange County
Bear Mountain State Park
3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Bear
Mountain; (845) 786-2701
With spectacular views, Bear
Mountain State Park spans 5,205 acres and offers fantastic opportunities for
snowshoeing. This hike is a 4-mile loop and is best for experienced snowshoers.
Harriman State
Park
Seven Lakes Dr / Bear Mountain
Circle; (845) 947-2444
Harriman State Park is the second-largest park in the parks
system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, miles of
streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage
points. Certain trails are closed due to storm activity. Click here to see a map.
Port Jervis Watershed Park & Recreation Area
Elks-Brox Park NYS Route 97, Port
Jervis; (845) 858-4045
Over 60 miles of hiking and single-track, cross-country trails
along 3 reservoirs. Access in Elks-Brox Park and at Reservoir. Mountain
biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Ulster County
Franny Reese State Park
Johnson-Iorio Park, Haviland Rd., Highland
2.5 miles of hiking and biking
trails that follow a historic carriage road and passes by the ruins of a 19th
century mansion.
Minnewaska
State Park Preserve
5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson; (845)
255-0752
The park features 35 miles of carriage roads and 50
miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. Some trails are closed for the winter. Click here to see trail conditions.
Phoenicia - Mt. Tobias Wild
Forest
Towns of
Shandaken, Woodstock and Olive, Ulster County
Snowshoeing is
allowed on all trails. Cross-country skiing is best on the gentler slopes of
the old woods road leading up to Mt. Tobias (elevation 2,544 feet).
Mohonk Preserve
3197 State Route 44/55, Gardiner; (845)
255-0919
There are several trails for snowshoeing
and cross-country skiing. Click here to see the location of the available trails. The Visitor Center and its immediate grounds are free to the public. Children age 15 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. To access the land you need to have a current membership or pay a day use fee. The following day fees apply: $15/day use fee for hikers; $20/day use fee for bikers, climbers, and horseback riders.
Other Counties
Lake Taghkanic
State Park Columbia County
1528 Route 82, Ancram; (518)
851-3631
Lake Taghkanic State Park has cross-country
ski/snowshoe and snowmobile trails.
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Delaware County
Balsam Lake Mountain Trail parking area is at the eastern end
of the Beaverkill Road in the Town of Hardenburgh.
Kelly Hollow Trail parking area is on Mill Brook
Road in the Town of Middletown, Delaware County, 13 miles southeast of
Margaretville.
The Alder Lake Loop (1.5 miles) is well suited to
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Kelly Hollow Loop Trails (yellow
markers) includes a 1.9 mile short loop known as the "Short Loop" and
a 3.8 mile long loop known as the "Beaver Pond Loop". The Kelly
Hollow Trail is a "designated" cross country ski trail and is marked
with yellow ski-trail markers. Proper etiquette for designated cross-country
ski trails advises that only snowshoes and skis are used on these trails when
covered with snow.
Fahnestock
Winter Park Putnam
County
1570 Route 301, Carmel; (845)
225-3998
Fahnestock Winter Park offers cross country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding/ tubing. They have 20 km of machine groomed ski trails and an extensive network of blazed snowshoe trails. You can also download their Snowshoe Trail
Map, Fahnestock Cross Country Ski Trail Map, and Winter Park Trail Map on the
website. (call or visit website to see when trails are open)
Franklin D.
Roosevelt State Park Westchester County
2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown
Heights; (914) 245-4434
The park's hills and trails are perfect for winter sports. The young and the young at heart will enjoy sledding or cross-country skiing.
Edited 1/9/2026