High Banks Preserve

"Nice hike. The boardwalk was not as thrilling as I hoped for due to the bugs. Making me run across it in seconds."

"Once inhabited by the Esopus Indians, they referred to the area as "High Banks with Flowing Waters". About 3 miles of well marked trails. Hilly, but nothing too difficult. We passed by some well preserved stone walls and walked a boardwalk to keep off a swampy area. The trail meanders down to Esopus Lake, the perfect spot to lunch."

"A nice hike that I did know existed. I would say this less a destination place and more of a if u are in the area. The trails are well maintained and bless scenic hudson for not letting the area become condos."

"Beautiful park with several simple trails. The inital hill climb is the only steep part. The trails are easy to find and the blazes easy to spot and follow."

"A wonderful hiking trail that is appropriate for almost everyone who likes hiking. The parking lot is spacious and easy to reach and gives nice views of the Hudson and eastern banks. The first 1/2 mile is uphill with a gain of 200ft and on an old road. It is wide and open an on a hot sunny day will provide no shade. This trail (red) continues to Esopus Lake and remains pretty consistently wide and easy to walk. It is the main artery and intersects with the other (yellow, white, purple and blue) trails. The yellow trail winds through the tress skirting an old stone wall and then descends to the lake to the red trail. There is a nice little waterfall near the intersection. The purple trail intersects with the red trail on its northern end and also winds through the trees. If there has been rainfall the trail can be very wet. The white trail (marked at the top of the hill as the Overlook Trail) provides glimpses of the river but no real vistas due to the trees and shrubs. There is an area being prepared as a wildflower meadow that explains the process of removing invasive shrubs that is well marked and tended. A few notes: none of the trails should be walked in sandals due to both water and snakes. Copperheads are in the area and all hikers should be Snake Smart-there are lots of areas where the snakes will seek shelter from the heat (logs, leaves and rocks) and open areas where they will sun themselves on cooler days. Making noise alerts the snakes who will move away as they have no more desire to be approached by us humans than we have of meeting them. Children and animals can and should use the trails but be kept under control. ***NOTE: Hunting season Spring 2018 is from May 1-31. There is hunting in the area so if hiking then wear bright colors. There is a blind visible from the yellow trail to the south of the stone wall."