Amazing easy/moderate hike in. No idea it existed and not that far away from Troy/Albany…read more Surprisingly big waterfalls and rock formations. Was told cause of all the rain it was not normally as high. Really peaceful. Thankfully no trash or other distractions from people. Will be back many times I'm sure.

I almost don't want to write a review for this conservation area because then it could become…read moreinundated with people. Simply put, you don't have to walk very far for some incredible views. We visited right after a heavy summer rainstorm so the trail right down to the falls was a bit hard to traverse (high water, slippery rocks, etc) but it was worth the treachery. But you don't have to hitch yourself down to get the full magic of these falls, you can also go for a slightly longer walk to see them at eye level. If you're visiting close to the Hudson area, a visit to the High Falls Conservation Area should be on your list! Then grab a drink in town.

What a gem. Lovely views, so many birds, charming gazebo, beautiful pond. Mowed paths are well…read more-maintained (though currently drenched after this crazy spring). The maps at each intersection are fabulous! Would love to have more places be that easy to navigate. Thank you!

The property was beautiful and the walking paths were well carved out. The gazebo was a nice touch.read more

Nice easy hike Gorgeous anytime of year…read moreThe Hannacroix creek is a beauty there trails to explore and two main entrances!

So much for the "creek," because it was a full-on raging river during our recent first visit…read more Firstly, the trails here are mostly not wheelchair accessible, and the heavy rainfall in the week prior caused many parts of the trails a tad treacherous to navigate. Still, a nature preserve gets extra love from me because I love nature, and I'm grateful for efforts to protect and preserve natural spaces like this. Parking is aplenty, trails are colour-coded, and some of the trails are gravely, which is not my favourite type. The old paper mill site so close to the water's edge was an unexpected treat and I appreciate its historical connection. I look forward to a revisit.

It took me three attempts over three days to make it all the way to the waterfall, but it was so…read moreworth it! I took this journey at the start of February, and there was tons of snow on the ground. On the first day, I arrived at the Massachusetts parking lot around 3 PM I figured I had a good two hours before sundown. I turned back after walking a short way down the trail because it was so steep, I thought I was going to tumble into the river. When I got back, I watched a video of someone hiking on the Massachusetts side, and I realized that the trail is normally full of stairs This makes sense because it's very steep and that's why it's so short but because of the snow, the stairs are covered up I would definitely not recommend using the Massachusetts side in the winter On the second day, I got to the New York parking lot around 2 PM. I made it about halfway down the much more gradual and scenic trail before I turned back. I turned back because the sun disappeared behind the mountain, and it was dark and windy On the third day, I got to the New York side at 11 AM. This time I realized that the top of the trail is just always dark and windy because it's in a corridor between two mountain peaks. So I pressed on. It took me about one hour to get to the end of the trail. I walked pretty slowly and stopped to look at nature a lot. If you are not someone who is super confident staying on the path in the forest, these are fairly easy trails because it's just a straight line the whole way there and you are following the river the whole time. I'm so glad I didn't give up because the falls are one of the most beautiful magical things I've ever seen Instead of water flowing down through the ice, it was snow and slush bursting through the sections of the frozen waterfall the water exploding into 1 million tiny snowflakes from the top to the bottom I plan to come back here in the summer with my kids and I think they will really love it.

Must see if you are in the area! Two parking lots -- one in NY and one in MA. We did the NY one…read morewhich leads up up a gradual, pretty easy hill about 20min until you reach the falls. Looks like the MA lot -- you go down a steep, shorter hill to reach the falls. Along the way you'll pass by a stream and an array of Fall leaves. When you reach the falls, there were many people who climbed the little railing and took the rocky steps down to the falls. It's worth it -- as it's beautiful and a great picture spot. Dog friendly too!

The falls are truly incredible…read more The trail down to the bottom of the falls, is a bit tricky. But so incredibly worth it. I would suggest not to believe the sign saying 189 steps.... it is definitely more! Take drinking water because you'll need that for sure. We went back in August and the heat was definitely there. The parking lot was pretty packed but throughout the trails people were pretty evenly spaced out. Not so much at the base of the falls themselves but there was still plenty of room to move around freely.

One of the tallest waterfall in NY, similar height to Taughannock Falls. Physical requirement is…read moredifferent tho, Kaaterskill Falls has about 500foot of elevation change and a lot of slippery stone steps at the end, if you come here when the weather is still cold. Parking: most people park at the Laurel-House Road parking area, because it is the closest. Or you can park at Mountain Top Historical Society, the old train station, which an extra mile. Starting from the old railroad station is nice, you can still see some old tracks on the ground. Walk to the overlook is fairly easy, once you get to the start point of Lower falls junction, it is where you need to be prepared. I recommend hiking shoe, especially in colder months where the ground is wet and iced. When you reach to the stone steps, they can get slippery. I am surprised no one fell in late March. Half of the steps were cover in ice and people were wearing regular sneakers. Once you reach the base of the two tier falls, the view is tremendous. If water levels are high, you can feel the energy of the water. There is a lot of spray from the falls when you get close. There is short trail to the middle tier pool. It was iced up during winter, spikes will definitely be useful. The end was amazing too. So close to the lead of the waterfall. You can keep going and follow Escarpment trail and follow the edge of the valley. There is monument for fireman Frank Layman who died during firefighting in 1900, at his monument, you can see route 23A bend around mountain. And if you keep going, there are a couple viewpoint to overlook the valley. Nice break points to enjoy the view and rest your legs.

Neat, but the lot was full. There is a wall that blocks views. Sludge, mud and snow runoff…read more. Review: 3

Stunning overlook - even when the weather's rainy and cloudy! We went in the late fall and even…read morethe drive along Lenox Road to the overlook was gorgeous and lovely. An added benefit is that the place is a trailhead to the Charcoal Trail (so named as there used to be charcoal pits here) which is a moderate/hard loop trail which culminates in another set of vista points looking both in the same direction as the Olivia Overlook as well as the opposite direction. It's a quicker route to the vista points if you take the right-hand side of the loop but either way, you'll: 1) be in for an uphill slog; 2) have a great sense of accomplishment making the vista point; 3) will see some beautiful ravines, slopes, brooks, boulders, and trees. Although the well-marked Charcoal Trail loop is only about 1.6 miles long, it takes longer than you think due to the uphill sections. Take water - and a hiking stick will help too.

DO NOT SWIM HERE -- This lake is known locally as Snake Lake. Water snakes and copperheads are…read morenumerous. There are also snapping turtles. The water quality is also low sure to a nearby quarry.

When you get there, you can drive on the gravel road until it dead-ends into a parking lot with a…read moreporta potty. If that lot is full then you can park in the one that's right off route 28. The trail is nicely shaded. We saw orange newts galore. It had just rained the night before so it was a little muddy in spots. We hiked the yellow loop trail and it was perfect for kids ranging in ages 7 to 13. Very scenic. We left in the early afternoon when the sun came out. Many others were just getting there to swim in the lake.

What a great place!…read more We stopped off in the afternoon on a Wednesday during a short trip to the Berkshires. First off, LOVE that you can bring the dogs. Is this normal for an orchard? I'm not familiar. They have the cutest little store with apple cider donuts, fudge, little store items including an apple liqueur of some kind that I was lucky enough to try and that shit is DANGEROUS. They also have a wine tasting area and cider/beer tasting area. We got 2 apple cider donuts (obviously) which were incredible. We also tried a cider flight. I asked for "the fruitest shit you have" and we got a nice spread of different and interesting things including a lavender cider. All of the staff were super nice and friendly. The place is also massive if you are into a lot of walking and things.

Absolutely loved this place and wish it was closer to home for me! Excellent little shop with the…read moremost amazing apple cider donuts you will ever taste. One of the owners, Sarah, did a wine tasting for me and was extremely friendly and provided some great background on the various wines. The wines were really good and they had a good variety of sweet and dry options. There's a nice cozy wood burning fireplace with couches to sit and enjoy a glass of wine in the winter months. For those who want to be more active, there is snowshoeing available with snowshoes for rent while you're there. Didn't try that but maybe next year :)

Lake Taghkanic State Park is an expansive area with a pavillion, large beach, water activities,…read moreboat rentals, picnic tables, tent, trailer and RVcampsites; hiking, biking, crosscounty and snowmobile trails; short and long term rental cottages yearround. The park area is about a mile off the Taconic Highway in a relatively secluded area of Columbia County in New York State. Beautiful spot for a day visit or cabin rental for a summer vacation with the family.

Updated Review: For the beach area only…read more Yinz already know I love this campground. This past weekend I returned just for the lake for a Fat Beach Swim with my plus size hiking group and it was soooo fun! I snagged parking right by the lake, it was super clean, and the crowds were lovely. I felt super comfortable as a Black woman and as a fat person. Very diverse beachgoers. Our crew - over 20 of us! - set up tents, beach umbrellas, tables, coolers, etc. and all of our stuff was safe while we swam. Lifeguards and rangers were unobtrusive. The roped off area went back to a good 7 ft deep so it was easy to wade or actually swim. Bathrooms were very clean and I heard good reports about the concession stand. Tips: -$10 to enter -There was a Statie checkpoint set up as soon as I pulled in at 2pm. Seatbelts and sobriety so don't get caught lacking. -the sand and exposure gets hot hot hot so bring flip flops, sunglasses, and a hat. Enjoy yourself!!

Really perfect spot for a November walk; gravely trails so no worries about ticks or twisting an…read moreankle in a rabbit hole. Stunning views. Well maintained and map available. No bathrooms so go somewhere before you arrive or take the risk behind a tree. Seem to be some lax dog owners around today though; could you at least kick the piles off the trail???

We had never been here despite living in this area forever. We took a picnic lunch and the kids(4…read moreand 8.) The blue trail is a nice easy walk, flat with a well maintained gravel walkway. It looks like the green trail is a bit more challenging but we didn't check that out. Beautiful fields of wildflowers teem with monarch butterflies and giant dragonflies. The mountains lurk blue in the distance. Lovely wooden benches dot the trail and one sits near a nice overlook. There's a beautiful gazebo and a picnic shelter perfect for lunching.