Are you looking for a great place to hike, enjoy nature, and learn some history? If so, you should check out Black Rock Forest. This is a 3,870-acre forest and biological field station that is managed by Black Rock Forest Consortium, a non-profit organization that promotes scientific research and education of the natural world.
Black Rock Forest has 26 miles of trails and 17 miles of forest roads that are open to the public all year round. You can find trails for all levels of difficulty and interest, from easy walks along reservoirs and streams to challenging climbs up rocky slopes and ridges. Along the way, you’ll see different habitats, wildlife, plants, and geological features that make this forest a unique and valuable ecosystem.
You’ll also discover the rich cultural and land use history of Black Rock Forest, which goes back to the Native Americans who hunted and settled in the area. You’ll see signs of the Revolutionary War, when Continental soldiers used Spy Rock as a lookout point to monitor the Hudson River. You’ll learn about the logging and mining activities that happened in the 19th century, and how Dr. Ernest Stillman established the forest as a research and demonstration site in 1928.
In this blog post, we’ll share some of the highlights of hiking Black Rock Forest as well as give you some tips on how to plan your visit, what to bring, and where to find more information. Let’s get started!
How to Get There
Black Rock Forest is located about 60 miles north of New York City, in Orange County, mostly in the town of Cornwall. You can get there by car or public transportation.
By car: The main entrance to the forest is on Reservoir Road, off Route 9W in Cornwall. There is a large parking lot with a kiosk where you can find maps and information. You can also access the forest from other points along Route 9W or Route 32.
By public transportation: You can take Metro-North’s Hudson Line to Beacon or Salisbury Mills-Cornwall stations, or NJ Transit’s Port Jervis Line to Harriman station. From there, you can take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to the forest entrance. Alternatively, you can take Coach USA’s Short Line bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Cornwall or Mountainville, and walk or bike to the forest.
What to Bring
Before you head out to the forest, make sure you have the following items:
- A map of the trails: You can download a printable map from the Black Rock Forest website , or use an app like AllTrails or Avenza Maps on your smartphone.
- Water and snacks: There are no water fountains or vending machines in the forest, so bring enough water and food for your hike. Avoid plastic bottles and wrappers that can litter the forest.
- Appropriate clothing and footwear: Dress for the weather and wear layers that you can adjust as needed. Wear sturdy shoes or boots that can handle rocky terrain and mud. Avoid bright colors that can scare away wildlife.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent: Protect yourself from sunburn and insect bites by applying sunscreen and repellent before your hike. Avoid products that contain DEET or other harmful chemicals that can harm the environment.
- Binoculars and camera: You’ll want to see and capture the amazing views and wildlife that you’ll encounter in the forest. Bring binoculars for spotting birds and other animals, and a camera for taking photos. Remember to respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance and not feeding or disturbing them.
- Trash bag: Leave no trace by packing out what you pack in. Don’t litter or dump anything in the forest. Bring a trash bag to collect your garbage and dispose of it properly outside the forest.
What to See
Now that you’re ready to explore Black Rock Forest, here are some of the things you can see along its trails:
- Reservoirs: The forest has several reservoirs that provide water for nearby towns and habitats for aquatic life. You can walk around them on easy trails like Reservoir Road Trail or Aleck Meadow Reservoir Trail , or enjoy views of them from higher elevations like Sackett Ridge Trail .
- Rocks: The forest is named after its black rocks, which are rich in magnetite, an iron ore mineral. You can see these rocks on trails like Black Rock Trail , which leads to the summit of Black Rock Mountain, the highest point in the forest at 1,402 feet. You can also see other interesting rock formations like Spy Rock, Eagle Cliff, and Whitehorse Ledge on trails like Stillman Trail or Eagle Cliff Trail .
- Views: The forest offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including the Hudson River, Storm King Mountain, Schunemunk Mountain, and the Catskill Mountains. You can enjoy these views from various lookout points along the trails, such as Arthur’s View, Eagle Cliff, and Rattlesnake Hill.
- Wildlife: The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. You can see deer, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and fishers on the forest floor. You can hear and spot woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, warblers, hawks, owls, and turkeys in the trees. You can find turtles, frogs, salamanders, snakes, and lizards near the water. You can observe butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and spiders in the flowers and grasses.
- Plants: The forest has a diverse vegetation that changes with the seasons. You can see oaks, maples, birches, beeches, hickories, and chestnuts in the hardwood forest. You can see hemlocks, pines, spruces, and firs in the coniferous forest. You can see ferns, mosses, lichens, and fungi on the forest floor. You can see wildflowers like trilliums, violets, columbines, and asters in the spring and summer. You can see berries like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries in the summer and fall. You can see colorful foliage in the fall and evergreens in the winter.
What to Do
Besides hiking and enjoying nature and history in Black Rock Forest, you can also do other fun and educational activities, such as:
- Visit the Science Center: The Science Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts research and education programs for students, teachers, scientists, and the public. You can visit the Science Center on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or on weekends by appointment. You can see exhibits, labs, classrooms, and a library that showcase the forest’s natural and cultural history. You can also join guided tours, workshops, lectures, and events that are offered throughout the year.
- Join a hike with a naturalist: If you want to learn more about the forest’s ecology, geology, wildlife, and history, you can join a hike with a naturalist who will share their knowledge and passion with you. You can find the schedule of upcoming hikes on the Black Rock Forest website , or contact them to arrange a private hike for your group.
- Volunteer for the forest: If you love the forest and want to help preserve and protect it, you can volunteer for the forest in various ways. You can help with trail maintenance, invasive species removal, wildlife monitoring, citizen science projects, and more. You can find more information on how to volunteer on the Black Rock Forest website , or contact them to sign up.
- Support the forest: If you want to support the forest’s mission of advancing scientific understanding and education of the natural world, you can make a donation or become a member of the Black Rock Forest Consortium. Your contribution will help fund research, education, conservation, and outreach programs that benefit the forest and its visitors. You can find more information on how to support the forest on the Black Rock Forest website , or contact them to get involved.