John Boyd Thacher State Park Photos
More like John Boyd Thacher State Park
Recommended Reviews - John Boyd Thacher State Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Thatcher Park is absolutely stunning. The scenery and the hiking trails are top-notch, especially in October as the leaves are beautiful and colorful. Unfortunately I didn't find this park until too late in the year so I'll be back for some hikes next year.
Amazing views and lots of land to explore. My husband and I visited the Visitor Center, along with looking over the ridge to see the city of Albany. Visitor Center was nice and included a built in cave downstairs, slides down the hill to the side of the building and picnic tables/places to sit and enjoy the scenery.
I love this park! I've been coming to this park since I was a kid. I went to a party here recently and it brought back some great memories. I haven't been here in a while. The party was in the same spot we used to go. They now actually have a mini zip line that you can freely use! A pavilion was reserved and it had plenty of picnic tables. It was a nice day with a very nice view. This is a great spot that's not too far that I should take more advantage of for sure! They have creeks and trails, picnic tables, fields and pavilions! $6 for all day parking.
Great place for a hike, picnic and playing. Lots of scenery and trails. We got lost on our hike but that wasn't because the trails were not marked, it was because of me. lol The park is very nice and I highly recommend visiting there.
Came here to do sports climbing with friends. The entrance was very adventurous because it had a natural crevice that we all had fit and climb down with our equipment on top of our head to fit into the crevice and in order to go to the climbing area. If you cannot fit then you would miss this amazing adventure. We had to climb back up with all our equipment at the end of the day when we were all tired from all the hiking and climbing that we did throughout the day. We had no option because it is the only point of entrance and exit thru the area The sport climbing section was a bit sketchy as you had to stand by the edge to get ready, belay, prepare, climb, and other. One misstep and it could lead to your demise or getting seriously injured The climbing was a bit sketchy as there are lots of rocks coming off the wall as you climb. Wearing helmets for climbers and belayers are recommended. The routes are good and it was my first time sport climbing outdoors. It was a different feeling and experience Because I was doing the real thing and there was no padding on the ground, and both climber and belayer were close to the edge, it gave me more sense of fear and to approach things more secure because if you were to fall you could fall into the abyss. It was a trully life-learning experience The view was breathtaking. You are close to the top and you get to have a nice view to greens, the park, and the cliff One last thing, do NOT forget to pay for parking and it costs $6 per car
Such a great park! My first time to Thacher State Park. There are several different trails of varying lengths and views (some over overlook Mountain View's while others offer rocky waterfall views). It was absolutely beautiful. We did the Indian Ladder Trail and got such incredible views along the way (took about 30 min each way while stopping for photos). Parking is $6 from May 1 through I think October 31, and they take credit card payment. The visitor center is gorgeous and clean. A must visit if you're in the capitol region!
This park is absolutely amazing with some truly breathtaking views! The visitor center is very cool with many exhibits about the local geology of the park and it's past. The Indian ladder trail was a ton of fun with some really excellent rock formations and was a lot of fun to walk through. There are steps down and up from the trail for those who may have difficulty with them. The park is loaded with hiking trails and with more time I would have loved to hike them all! Parking is six dollars in the southern part of the park and free in the north. A beautiful park and one I can't wait to visit again!
This is such a beautiful park to visit and explore. There is a lot of parking a lovely visitors center. The Indian Ladder Trail is a great highlight of the park as well as the overlooks, but there are also some other great trails and waterfalls to see. Plenty of room for walking, frisbee, relaxing, using the playground, etc.
What a gem we have with Thacher Park being in our collective Capital Region backyard! Seriously, Thacher is the blood diamond of Capital Region parks, and I should know because I've been exploring its trails, nooks, and crannies since I was a little tot! Did you know that the Helderberg Escarpment at Thacher Park is considered the key to North American geology? It's one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world! Really fascinating history if you want to get into it, but basically just know we're currently living our best Capital Region lives at the bottom of Lake Albany, a prehistoric lake that drained through the Hudson River 10,500 years ago. With miles of trails to explore, a brand new, impressive, state of the art visitor's center hosting geological and historical exhibits showcasing the Helderberg Escarpment and its importance on the region, countless picnic tables for snacks with a view, and loads of pavillions available by rental for parties or family reunions, this NYS Park is just 15 miles southwest of Albany, feels worlds away, and on a clear day, you can see the Empire State Plaza, SUNY Albany, and even the front range of the Berkshire Moutnains in Massachusetts. Side note: I'm not one to daydream about getting married or my potential wedding day; however, if it ever comes to pass, the Glen Doone picnic shelter/pavilion has my name all over it! ;-) Thacher Park is well known for its famous Indian Ladder Trail, an almost jaw-dropping trail with outstanding views, impressive rock formations, and seasonal waterfalls on relatively flat and highly scenic ground is a pretty epic walk through nature for being in Albany County, but it's also so much more than than. One of my favorite trails at Thacher is the Escarpment Trail, a 4.5 mile beautifully maintained path that essentially skirts the edge of the Helderberg Escarpment the entire length of the park. IMO, this trail is by far the best way to explore every inch of the escarpment from border to border, take in the stunning views, and get your steps in while doing so! (Just keep in mind a RT walk is easily an 8-9 mile endeavor, so don't skimp on the water or solid hiking shoes!) I love Thacher Park in every season, and therefore make it up there all year long. Most recently, I paid a visit on that 70-degree January day we had - man, that was a first! I don't think I've ever seen a waterfall in January, but then again I don't go chasing them... PRO TIP: Stop for a beer/cider/beverage at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery after your adventure, just below in the town of Altamont! It's an absolute must.
If you want to have a panoramic view of Albany while enjoying an easy hike, go to the Outlook at this state park. There's a geological point pf interest called the Helderberg escarpment, at almost 1,200 feet of elevation, with stratified limestone ridges and majestic views of the Albany skyline which you can see from the outlook, and I'm told that there's a trailhead there that leads down to a waterfall. We followed a trail along the ridge an enjoyed the views and the beautiful sunny day one day before the official start of the fall, and it would be a great location later in the fall to enjoy the fall leaf colors.
This is a nice park to come to. When I was a kid, there was a great swimming pool on premise, but that unfortunately closed down due to state budget woes. I know I haven't utilized everything that Thacher Park offers, but my favorite thing to do here is a small hike on the Indian Ladder Trail. I recommend a good pair of sneakers for this short hike. For the less adventurous, the overlooks are also beautiful and serene. If you look far enough off in the distance you can see the Empire State Plaza in Albany. I hadn't been back here since 2014 and I was surprised to see the new amenities on premise. There is a beautiful new $3.8 million visitor center. This is such a nice building and I love the Adirondack theming. There are some nice seating areas indoors by the fireplace or outdoors on the covered patio. If you have kids with you, consider visiting the Emma Treadwell Nature Center, it's about a 5-10 minute drive from here. There are also covered picnic areas available for rent. I'd budget anywhere from 1-3 hours to spend here. Great spot to take out of town visitors, especially ones that appreciate nature.
The park has great mountain biking trails as well as the hiking/walking trails. We parked and started in the Paint Mine parking lot. There are lots of trails you can connect to. Definitely have a map on your phone with you because some of the trail markings were confusing to follow and we had to stop and look at the map a few times. FYI- you do have to pay for parking now. The new visitor center is really really nice. There's nice chairs out on the deck to lounge in while you take in the view. Good bathrooms here and a little visitor store. It also looked like there's some meeting rooms in here.
Favorite hiking spot! Staff is amazing, restrooms are always spotless! Maintenance does a great job keeping up the trails and the park clean. Couldn't recommend this place enough!!
7 months ago
Before you come here, if you want to hike behind the waterfalls, Indian Ladder Trail is closed during the winter and through April due to ice. Other than that, all the trails are open and still fun to hike and enjoy the views. Also the state park is free during off season and much less traffic, which is a bonus. Luckily, I came in late March where most of the snow and ice has melted, and I could explore with regular hiking shoe. I did a loop at the Paint Mine trail. Maybe 2miles total. There are some small waterfalls there, fairly easy loop, no real elevation change. There are a couple overlooks at the park where you can see over the valley. If weather permits, you can see city of Albany at far away with a waterfall on the side. It was very foggy at my first day, so I had to go back again. read more
7 months ago
10 months ago
Thatcher Park is absolutely stunning. The scenery and the hiking trails are top-notch, especially in October as the leaves are beautiful and colorful. Unfortunately I didn't find this park until too late in the year so I'll be back for some hikes next year. read more
2 years ago
Amazing views and lots of land to explore. My husband and I visited the Visitor Center, along with looking over the ridge to see the city of Albany. Visitor Center was nice and included a built in cave downstairs, slides down the hill to the side of the building and picnic tables/places to sit and enjoy the scenery. read more
I love this park! I've been coming to this park since I was a kid. I went to a party here recently and it brought back some great memories. I haven't been here in a while. The party was in the same spot we used to go. They now actually have a mini zip line that you can freely use! A pavilion was reserved and it had plenty of picnic tables. It was a nice day with a very nice view. This is a great spot that's not too far that I should take more advantage of for sure! They have creeks and trails, picnic tables, fields and pavilions! $6 for all day parking. read more
4 years ago
Great place for a hike, picnic and playing. Lots of scenery and trails. We got lost on our hike but that wasn't because the trails were not marked, it was because of me. lol The park is very nice and I highly recommend visiting there. read more
Came here to do sports climbing with friends. The entrance was very adventurous because it had a natural crevice that we all had fit and climb down with our equipment on top of our head to fit into the crevice and in order to go to the climbing area. If you cannot fit then you would miss this amazing adventure. We had to climb back up with all our equipment at the end of the day when we were all tired from all the hiking and climbing that we did throughout the day. We had no option because it is the only point of entrance and exit thru the area The sport climbing section was a bit sketchy as you had to stand by the edge to get ready, belay, prepare, climb, and other. One misstep and it could lead to your demise or getting seriously injured The climbing was a bit sketchy as there are lots of rocks coming off the wall as you climb. Wearing helmets for climbers and belayers are recommended. The routes are good and it was my first time sport climbing outdoors. It was a different feeling and experience Because I was doing the real thing and there was no padding on the ground, and both climber and belayer were close to the edge, it gave me more sense of fear and to approach things more secure because if you were to fall you could fall into the abyss. It was a trully life-learning experience The view was breathtaking. You are close to the top and you get to have a nice view to greens, the park, and the cliff One last thing, do NOT forget to pay for parking and it costs $6 per car read more
4 years ago
Such a great park! My first time to Thacher State Park. There are several different trails of varying lengths and views (some over overlook Mountain View's while others offer rocky waterfall views). It was absolutely beautiful. We did the Indian Ladder Trail and got such incredible views along the way (took about 30 min each way while stopping for photos). Parking is $6 from May 1 through I think October 31, and they take credit card payment. The visitor center is gorgeous and clean. A must visit if you're in the capitol region! read more
This park is absolutely amazing with some truly breathtaking views! The visitor center is very cool with many exhibits about the local geology of the park and it's past. The Indian ladder trail was a ton of fun with some really excellent rock formations and was a lot of fun to walk through. There are steps down and up from the trail for those who may have difficulty with them. The park is loaded with hiking trails and with more time I would have loved to hike them all! Parking is six dollars in the southern part of the park and free in the north. A beautiful park and one I can't wait to visit again! read more
1 year ago
This is such a beautiful park to visit and explore. There is a lot of parking a lovely visitors center. The Indian Ladder Trail is a great highlight of the park as well as the overlooks, but there are also some other great trails and waterfalls to see. Plenty of room for walking, frisbee, relaxing, using the playground, etc. read more
What a gem we have with Thacher Park being in our collective Capital Region backyard! Seriously, Thacher is the blood diamond of Capital Region parks, and I should know because I've been exploring its trails, nooks, and crannies since I was a little tot! Did you know that the Helderberg Escarpment at Thacher Park is considered the key to North American geology? It's one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world! Really fascinating history if you want to get into it, but basically just know we're currently living our best Capital Region lives at the bottom of Lake Albany, a prehistoric lake that drained through the Hudson River 10,500 years ago. With miles of trails to explore, a brand new, impressive, state of the art visitor's center hosting geological and historical exhibits showcasing the Helderberg Escarpment and its importance on the region, countless picnic tables for snacks with a view, and loads of pavillions available by rental for parties or family reunions, this NYS Park is just 15 miles southwest of Albany, feels worlds away, and on a clear day, you can see the Empire State Plaza, SUNY Albany, and even the front range of the Berkshire Moutnains in Massachusetts. Side note: I'm not one to daydream about getting married or my potential wedding day; however, if it ever comes to pass, the Glen Doone picnic shelter/pavilion has my name all over it! ;-) Thacher Park is well known for its famous Indian Ladder Trail, an almost jaw-dropping trail with outstanding views, impressive rock formations, and seasonal waterfalls on relatively flat and highly scenic ground is a pretty epic walk through nature for being in Albany County, but it's also so much more than than. One of my favorite trails at Thacher is the Escarpment Trail, a 4.5 mile beautifully maintained path that essentially skirts the edge of the Helderberg Escarpment the entire length of the park. IMO, this trail is by far the best way to explore every inch of the escarpment from border to border, take in the stunning views, and get your steps in while doing so! (Just keep in mind a RT walk is easily an 8-9 mile endeavor, so don't skimp on the water or solid hiking shoes!) I love Thacher Park in every season, and therefore make it up there all year long. Most recently, I paid a visit on that 70-degree January day we had - man, that was a first! I don't think I've ever seen a waterfall in January, but then again I don't go chasing them... PRO TIP: Stop for a beer/cider/beverage at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery after your adventure, just below in the town of Altamont! It's an absolute must. read more
If you want to have a panoramic view of Albany while enjoying an easy hike, go to the Outlook at this state park. There's a geological point pf interest called the Helderberg escarpment, at almost 1,200 feet of elevation, with stratified limestone ridges and majestic views of the Albany skyline which you can see from the outlook, and I'm told that there's a trailhead there that leads down to a waterfall. We followed a trail along the ridge an enjoyed the views and the beautiful sunny day one day before the official start of the fall, and it would be a great location later in the fall to enjoy the fall leaf colors. read more
This is a nice park to come to. When I was a kid, there was a great swimming pool on premise, but that unfortunately closed down due to state budget woes. I know I haven't utilized everything that Thacher Park offers, but my favorite thing to do here is a small hike on the Indian Ladder Trail. I recommend a good pair of sneakers for this short hike. For the less adventurous, the overlooks are also beautiful and serene. If you look far enough off in the distance you can see the Empire State Plaza in Albany. I hadn't been back here since 2014 and I was surprised to see the new amenities on premise. There is a beautiful new $3.8 million visitor center. This is such a nice building and I love the Adirondack theming. There are some nice seating areas indoors by the fireplace or outdoors on the covered patio. If you have kids with you, consider visiting the Emma Treadwell Nature Center, it's about a 5-10 minute drive from here. There are also covered picnic areas available for rent. I'd budget anywhere from 1-3 hours to spend here. Great spot to take out of town visitors, especially ones that appreciate nature. read more
The park has great mountain biking trails as well as the hiking/walking trails. We parked and started in the Paint Mine parking lot. There are lots of trails you can connect to. Definitely have a map on your phone with you because some of the trail markings were confusing to follow and we had to stop and look at the map a few times. FYI- you do have to pay for parking now. The new visitor center is really really nice. There's nice chairs out on the deck to lounge in while you take in the view. Good bathrooms here and a little visitor store. It also looked like there's some meeting rooms in here. read more
5 years ago
Favorite hiking spot! Staff is amazing, restrooms are always spotless! Maintenance does a great job keeping up the trails and the park clean. Couldn't recommend this place enough!! read more
I've been coming to Thacher Park since I was little and I still love it each time. There are so many trails to hike and so many amazing sights to see. Though I love going down to the Indian ladder trail and seeing the Waterfalls, I also love going up towards Paint Mine Trails and walking along the creek. If you go up the trail for a bit, you'll see smaller Waterfalls along the way, and a bigger one that sometimes look more magnificent than the one by Indian Ladder, especially in the spring time when the snow first melts. Despite going for years, I love that I still manage to find something new. The new nature center also just opened this summer. It is a great place to start if it's your first time coming. Inside, you can learn about the history of the park and the different things you might encounter in your hike. The ground floor (if you go down the stairs from the main entrance) is child friendly with plenty of activities to keep the young ones occupied. There is also an outdoor and indoor lounge area where you can read a book or sit down and chat with friends. It is one of the most beautiful places to see and experience nature in the area. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
It's more of a mini hike with some nice views but compared to my many hiking experience it's not on the top of my list but still scenic enough to drive by and take a quick walk if you're in the area. Definitely not a hike to make a weekend trip for if you live more than 1-2 hours away. read more
10 years ago
Amazing place. 1) The Indian Ladder trail is fantastic. Something out of fantasy. 2) The hike is relative short. I recommend it to anyone of any age and skill level. 3) Plus the view of the cliffs are breathtaking. read more
All the years I've been around the capital region this is my first visit to thatcher's park. Parking is free here with clean and use able public toilets. The parking area has many picnic tables some with or without roofs. They are big enough to host a gathering. This hike is very easy that even a kid can do it. The trail wraps around from the top trail leading to the bottom then back up. It is impossible to get lost here. The hike is about 2 hours long including viewing, picture time. The view was amazing tho you do see a few electric towers and power lines across the land. Views of Albany area and farm lands. This park is dog friendly. read more
8 years ago
If you want a great place to view fall foliage, this is the place! I've been here at other times, as well but my favorite time is during the fall months when the trees are just beautiful! There's opportunities for education here too, so that's a bonus. Wish it had cabins or a inn to stay at but otherwise, it's a great park to visit. read more
8 years ago
Breathtaking view of fall season at Thacher State Park! A must visit Park! Great for family picnic as well! read more
9 years ago
Can't believe I didn't come here sooner. Not that far of a drive from Schenectady and definitely worth the trip. Plenty of parking and the Indian Ladder Trail has some breathtaking views. Came here during the summer and will definitely come here in the fall. Family friendly, absolutely lovely place to have a picnic. Great time, will be back. read more
16 years ago
Thatcher park is the place to go if your looking for a nice hike with a beautiful view. This hike overlooks Albany and you can see as far the egg and the skyline. It also has a waterfall that you can walk under. I work with kids and its one of my favorite field trips to take them on. Its easy to walk but its about a hour long hike. There's also a area that is perfect for a picnic afterwords. If your into the outdoors this is one of the best places the area has to offer. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
Absolutely Breathtaking view and you can hike through the Escarpment! Every season is a treat! read more
15 years ago
Page 1 of 2
More info about John Boyd Thacher State Park
Ask the Community - John Boyd Thacher State Park
Review Highlights - John Boyd Thacher State Park
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
3 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
9 years ago
10 years ago
3 years ago
