Huyck Preserve And Biological Research Station
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    • Visit
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    • Board of Directors >
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    • Newsletter archive
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  • Conservation
    • Stewardship and Management Plan
    • Species Lists
    • Ecological Monitoring and Management Alliance (EMMA)
  • Education
    • School Programs
    • Summer Programs
    • Homeschool Program
    • Science Videos
  • Research
    • A Field Guide To A Field Station
    • Conducting Research at the Huyck Preserve
    • Staying at the Field Station
    • Huyck Research Grants
    • Odum Internship
    • Scientific Advisory Board
    • Papers & Research Reports
  • Recreation
    • Hiking
    • Lake Myosotis
    • Winter Sports
  • Get Involved
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Upcoming Events
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
    • Citizen Science - Phenology Trail
    • Employment
  • Donate
    • Annual Appeal

Visit

Digital Trail Map
Printable Trail map

Located in scenic Rensselaerville New York, the Huyck Preserve is a hidden gem in Albany county. Nestled on the Allegheny plateau south of the Helderberg escarpment, the Preserve offers 12 miles of trails through forest, field, and wetlands.  Lake Myosotis offers recreational opportunities and a chance to see Bald Eagles and the resident beavers, while Lincoln Pond offers a quiet spot for viewing waterfowl, kingfishers, and more. Opened in 2012, the three loops of the Partridge Path offer almost 6 miles of backcountry hiking over creeks and hills. Weather conditions can vary across the Preserve, so please plan accordingly when hiking. 

Trails are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Admission is free to walk and hike the trails, picnic, fish and boat (non-motorized) on Lake Myosotis, and for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed. Dogs must be on leash at all times and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Huyck Preserve is a carry in - carry out park. Please help us keep our Preserve beautiful. Please respect any research sites you may come across while at the Preserve. 

This special place is available because of the tremendous generosity of the members who support the Preserve. Please consider becoming a member and support our mission of connecting people to nature through research, education, recreation and conservation.
Parking
Parking is limited at the Visitors Center and kayak area and beach lots. Large bus parking is only available with scheduled education programs and hikes; public bus parking is not readily available without prior scheduling.
Contact us:
Phone: 518-797-3440
Email: info@huyckpreserve.org
Visitors Center Hours:
The visitor center is currently closed due to COVID-19.
We hope to open our doors at the visitor center again in 2022!
COVID Protocols
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The Huyck Preserve is located approximately 28 miles southwest of Albany,
New York off State Route 85 in the Village of Rensselaerville

Address for GPS directions:
Huyck Preserve Visitors Center
5052 Delaware Turnpike
Rensselaerville, NY 12147

Trail Assessment Form
Out hiking and find a fallen tree, eroded trail, or something else to report?
​Download the trail assessment form and email it to adam@huyckpreserve.org to help us keep our trails in excellent shape!

Preserve Rules

  • Trails are open dawn-to-dusk, year round.
  • Please stay on trails at all times! As a field station, there is on-going research near trails, which you may ruin if you leave the trail, along with damaging the habitat and ecosystem which you are visiting.
  • Huyck Preserve is a carry-in carry-out nature preserve, please take all your trash with you and do not litter!
  • Public picnic benches are available near the beach and kayak areas on Lake Myosotis's shore.
  • No fires are allowed except in Huyck Preserve grills when they are available at the Lake Myosotis beach and boat launch. 
  • No recreational drones are permitted on Preserve property.
  • No geocaching is permitted on Preserve property.
  • Hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing are allowed on trails.
  • The Preserve does not allow collection of any specimens.
  • No hunting or trapping is permitted on Preserve property.
  • Dogs are allowed on Preserve trails, but not at the beach (due to public swimming site rules). Dogs must be leashed at all times and picked up after!
  • Fishing and ice fishing allowed at Lake Myosotis only, with valid NYS permits. Ice fishing holes can be dug with hand-powered augurs only, gas augurs NOT permitted. For current ice conditions, please check our social media pages.
  • Kayaking and canoeing allowed on Lake Myosotis only. Canoe/Kayak racks available to rent at the launch site for members only.
  • Swimming is allowed in the lake ONLY at the beach, when a lifeguard is on duty, and only to those who have purchased beach passes.
  • Motorized vehicles are NOT permitted on trails.
  • Mountains bikes or other bikes NOT permitted on trails.
  • Horses are NOT permitted on trails.
  • Do NOT swim or play in the falls. Rocks are slippery  and dangerous, and walking in the falls causes erosion which damages them.
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Contact

Address:
P.O. Box 189
5052 Delaware Turnpike
Rensselaerville, NY 12147
Phone:
(518) 797-3440
Email:
info@huyckpreserve.org
Donate

Stay Connected!


All pictures copyright Huyck Preserve unless otherwise noted.
  • Home
  • About
    • Visit
    • Facilities
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors >
      • Board of Directors Policies
      • Board of Directors Manual
    • Preserve Staff
    • Strategic Plan & Financials
    • Newsletter archive
    • Wish List
  • Conservation
    • Stewardship and Management Plan
    • Species Lists
    • Ecological Monitoring and Management Alliance (EMMA)
  • Education
    • School Programs
    • Summer Programs
    • Homeschool Program
    • Science Videos
  • Research
    • A Field Guide To A Field Station
    • Conducting Research at the Huyck Preserve
    • Staying at the Field Station
    • Huyck Research Grants
    • Odum Internship
    • Scientific Advisory Board
    • Papers & Research Reports
  • Recreation
    • Hiking
    • Lake Myosotis
    • Winter Sports
  • Get Involved
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Upcoming Events
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
    • Citizen Science - Phenology Trail
    • Employment
  • Donate
    • Annual Appeal