Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Rockefeller State Park Preserve Idealized carriage trails created by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Perfect for hikers, runners, birders, equestrians, dog walkers and families. Rotated every six weeks.
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Access to 55 miles of meandering trails with streams, pastures, ridges, a 22-acre lake and the Hudson River. • 13 Bridges Loop Trail - 1.9 miles of even to moderate grade, leading to 13 bridges on the wandering Gory Brook
• Bird Feeder Area - located next to the art gallery, many birds frequent the feeders in all seasons
• Fern Garden - located at the entrance, this garden is volunteer maintained

• Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park - 0.9 miles of the Old Croton Aqueduct travel through the preserve.
• Peony Monument - located next to the art gallery, these beautiful flowers were donated by a town in Southern Japan (the town of Yatsuka in the Shimane Prefecture). The peonies bloom every spring in late April through early May.
• Rockwood Hall - it was once the county estate of the late William M. Rockefeller
• Swan Lake - located a short walk from the art gallery, a 22-acre lake
• The Art Gallery @ Rockefeller State Park Preserve - gallery of two-dimensional arts. See the calendar of events for the most updated exhibit.

Coyotes, Bobcats, & Bears, Oh My! ♿Saturday, September 12 10 AM - 11:30 AMLearn best practices for minimizing conflict ...
09/06/2026

Coyotes, Bobcats, & Bears, Oh My! ♿
Saturday, September 12
10 AM - 11:30 AM

Learn best practices for minimizing conflict with large wildlife in the Hudson Valley with Leave No Trace Instructor, Martha Bierut.

Worried about coyotes, bobcats, and bears within Rockefeller State Park Preserve and your neighborhood? Join RSPP Program Coordinator and Leave No Trace Instructor Martha Bierut to learn ecology and best practices for minimizing you and your family’s risk of harmful wildlife encounters.

Martha (MSc Conservation Leadership) has worked with and studied human-wildlife conflict mitigation for years. Her Masters research focused on communities around a Ugandan national park in severe conflict with elephants in the form of crop raiding and retaliatory ivory poaching.

Capacity: 40

Registration required: www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

Wood ThrushThe Wood Thrush can be found in Rockefeller State Park Preserve in spring and summer. Their song, which is fl...
09/06/2026

Wood Thrush

The Wood Thrush can be found in Rockefeller State Park Preserve in spring and summer. Their song, which is flute-like, is considered one of the most beautiful songs of North American birds. Male and female Wood Thrushes look the same. They breed and nest here. They are seasonally monogamous but find new mates each year. Wood Thrush eat insects and fruit.

Wood Thrushes have been observed engaging in “anting,” which involves rubbing ants on their feathers. The purpose of anting is to get formic acid from the ants on their feathers which repels parasites. This behavior has also been observed in Northern Flickers.

From guest blogger and master bird photographer Bill Golden.

Thanks Bill!

Questions or comments?

send to [email protected]

On August 29th, Rockefeller State Park Preserve Stewardship and Education staff, together with Stone Barns Center for Fo...
09/05/2026

On August 29th, Rockefeller State Park Preserve Stewardship and Education staff, together with Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, collaborated with the Westchester-Putnam chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) for a first annual butterfly survey conducted here at the Preserve.

Joined by 14 enthusiastic volunteers, RSPP staff searched through several fields in the Preserve, identifying and documenting all butterflies observed. Together, the team observed a total of 30 butterfly species over the course of the survey! To complement this data, Conservation Steward Collin Sugrue conducted eDNA (environmental DNA) sampling of flower heads at each field his group surveyed. By detecting trace amounts of DNA that pollinators leave behind on the flowers, eDNA will allow us to see which pollinator species are visiting each field.

If you are interested in joining a butterfly survey next summer (or starting your own), visit the NABA website for more information: https://naba.org/butterfly-counts/ and keep your eyes open for a volunteer opportunity on our social media pages and Eventbrite for next year’s survey here at the Preserve.

Special thanks to Charlie Roberto of NABA and Collin for organizing this event!

Inspired by Halloween and folklore, Where Spirits Dwell delves into the mysterious realms of memory, form, and figuratio...
09/05/2026

Inspired by Halloween and folklore, Where Spirits Dwell delves into the mysterious realms of memory, form, and figuration, revealing the invisible forces that shape our perceptions and storytelling. Journey through artworks that blur the boundaries between reality and mystery, presence and remembrance.

Where Spirits Dwell Exhibit
On View, September 5 - October 31
Reception, SUNDAY OCTOBER 4th, 1pm - 3pm

FEATURED ARTISTS: Svetlana Askenazy, Peter Cheney, Michael Craft, Eoin Dennis, Sarah Haviland, Neil Lavey, David Lavin, Dan Lukens, Carl Opalek, Chris Ross, Lily Schor, Daryn Seiden, Rachel Sharp, Ed Traquino

The Art Gallery at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve
125 Phelps Way
Pleasantville, NY

Gallery Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm, daily

Curator, Lisa D'Amico PhD
Co-Curator, Daryn Seiden

NEXST SATURDAY come out an Volunteer for Invasive Species RemovalSaturday, September 12 12 PM - 2:30 PMEnjoy an afterno...
09/05/2026

NEXST SATURDAY come out an Volunteer for Invasive Species Removal
Saturday, September 12
12 PM - 2:30 PM

Enjoy an afternoon of environmental stewardship!

Interested in the ecology of the Preserve? Get involved with the Stewardship Team for a satisfying afternoon of invasive species removal at our top ecological restoration site! These efforts will greatly advance our goal to restore a 10-acre field from invasive species to healthy forest. Enjoy an afternoon alongside the Pocantico River as you uproot mugwort and other invasive species in our abandoned hayfield.Don't forget a water — and a hat! Tools, gloves, and water bottle refills will be provided by Preserve staff.

This event departs from Historic Hudson Valley, 639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591. Do NOT go to the main Preserve entrance. Please arrive promptly, as we will be departing at noon.

Registration required: www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

September 11th Memorial Event & Monarch Butterfly ReleaseFriday, September 11 12 PM - 1 PMJoin us for this 25th Anniver...
09/04/2026

September 11th Memorial Event & Monarch Butterfly Release
Friday, September 11
12 PM - 1 PM

Join us for this 25th Anniversary Commemoration

Did you know that Rockefeller State Park Preserve’s Japanese tree peonies serve as a memorial to the September 11th tragedy? Join us on Patriot Day as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the lives lost and the many brave heroes who have served our nation since 2001.

We’ll hear the special story of how the Preserve received these rare peonies from Japan and their connection to this day of remembrance. We’ll conclude the memorial with a monarch butterfly release, symbolizing new life and perseverance as this remarkable generation begins its fall migration south to Mexico.

Cost: Free

Parking: $6

Photos courtesy of Martha Bierut, Melina Cronin, Rob Amendola.

Registration required: www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

Introduction to Hiking from Toes to HeadSaturday, September 5 9 AM - 11 AMLearn hiking tips from our veteran park patron...
09/04/2026

Introduction to Hiking from Toes to Head
Saturday, September 5
9 AM - 11 AM

Learn hiking tips from our veteran park patron, Mike Miernik

Are you new to hiking, and unsure where to start? Then look no further. On this introductory level hike around Swan Lake, we’ll discuss tips and tricks to make the most out of your hike all year round. We’ll talk about the need for different kinds of clothes, like boots and gators, how certain items can be used in an emergency, and how to plan for food, water, and ticks. After our walk, we will have time to answer any more questions you may have, so come prepared!

Capacity: 20 People
Cost: FREE
Parking: $6
Image courtesy of Pierce Johnston
Please register at: rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

Senior Hike at Rockwood HallWed, Sep 9, 2026, 10:00 AMEnjoy a slower paced walk with a Park NaturalistJoin Park Educator...
09/03/2026

Senior Hike at Rockwood Hall
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 10:00 AM

Enjoy a slower paced walk with a Park Naturalist

Join Park Educator Joe Zarzhevsky for a guided senior-friendly hike at our Rockwood Hall section of the Preserve. This relaxed pace walk will explore the natural history and seasonal highlights of the landscape, allowing us time to pause and engage with our surroundings. We’ll spend time observing birds and wildlife, Trees and plants, and take time to appreciate the beauty of the Hudson Highlands.

The Rockwood Hall parking lot is on Kendal Way at the west end of route 117, just after the intersection of Phelps and Regeneron. If the lot is full, you may park in the Phelps Garage (Free)

Gather at the Kiosk at the top of the hill.

For the exact location of the parking lot, please use the links below:

NYNJ Trail Conference: https://secure.nynjtc.org/hike/rockwood-hall-sleepy-hollow
Google maps: maps.app.goo.gl/qDm118HiZgbvc5yAA
Apple maps: maps.apple/p/AHGFhumaMmF_K7
Cost: FREE
Parking: FREE

Maximum 40 people
Registration required: www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

Bird Photography and Ecology WalkSaturday, September 5 12 PM - 3 PMJoin a pro photographer and a birding educator on an...
09/03/2026

Bird Photography and Ecology Walk
Saturday, September 5
12 PM - 3 PM

Join a pro photographer and a birding educator on an avian adventure!

Join professional bird photographer Vinny (M. Ed) and RSPP Educator Martha on a walk to observe and photograph our feathered residents. While Vinny offers camera tips and tricks, Martha will assist with spotting and teaching about the ecology and behavior of our avian life. You will be surprised by what you might capture with your own camera!

Beginners and experienced photographers welcome. Camera with telephoto/zoom capability and/or binoculars recommended. Walk will be up to 3 miles, depending on ability level of participants.

please register at: www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.org/events

Address

125 Phelps Way
Pleasantville, NY
10570

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19146311470

Website

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