Spectacular Spring Treks Near Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY—There are so many beautiful natural vistas in the Hudson Valley that it could take a year's worth of weekends to explore them. Spring is a good time to start,

We've listed some of our favorite places to wander below. Have you been to any of these parks. If so, let us know what you enjoyed most by posting in the comments below. Did we miss your favorites? Please share them in the comments below.

Westchester

1. Marshlands Conservatory, Rye. The wildlife sanctuary has many habitats including forest, meadow, salt marsh and Long Island Sound shoreline.

2. Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining. Teatown has 1,000 acres of conserved land, with trails through
diverse habitats, as well as many environmental programs and a wildflower island.

3. Kitchawan Preserve, Ossining. The 208-acre nature preserve features native woodland and open fields, where butterflies and birds can be seen in abundance in the late spring.

4. Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains. The park is a safe haven for migratory birds, turtles and dragonfilies. The habitats include a lake, cliffs, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp.

5. Croton Gorge Park, Croton-on-Hudson.The park at the base of the Croton Dam has dramatic views of the dam and spillway. The park is a popular place to fish, picnic, and hike with direct trail access to New York State's Old Croton Aqueduct.

Mid Hudson Valley

1. Poet's Walk, Red Hook. The romantic landscape celebrates the connection between landscape and poetry. Beautiful river views.

2. Ashokan Reservoir, Shokan. The reservoir is in the eastern end of the Catskill Park and offers stunning mountain vistas. Easy paved flat trail.

3. Lighthouse Park, Esopus. Breathtaking Hudson River views and an iconic lighthouse

4. Minnewaska State Park, Kerhonksen. The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a 22,275-acre preserve located on the Shawangunk Ridge

5. Black Creek Preserve, Esopus. Trails lead to the Hudson River and spectacular views. The entrance is marked by a distinctive wooden bridge.

Putnam

1. Fahnestock State Park, Cold Spring. This park offers hiking trails, a beautiful beach, picnic areas, campgrounds, fishing, hiking and Taconic Outdoor Education Center.

2. Boscobel, Garrison. Boscobel is a historic Federal era house worth visiting but the grounds are also impressive and boast a stunning view of the Hudson River and West Point.

3. Putnam Trailway. The paved bicycle/pedestrian path spans 12.0 linear miles through Putnam County, from the Westchester border at Baldwin Place to Brewster Village where it merged into the Harlem Line Tracks

Rockland

1. Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, museum and zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails

2. Tallman Mountain State Park, Orangetown. The 687-acre state park is located next to the Hudson River and offers a walking trail,hiking and picnic areas.

3. Demarest Kill, New City. The heavily wooded park featured many mature oaks, maples, ash, hickory, tulip and sycamore trees, as well as federal wetlands.

4. Hook Mountain State Park, Nyack. The mostly undeveloped park is part of the Hudson River Palisades. You can rent canoes and kayaks at the Annsville Creek and visit Bannerman Island, only accessible by water.

Happy Exploring!