Sterling Forest State Park

One of my favorite Hudson Valley state parks to visit for hiking. Visitor center is one of the best in NY. That’s also where most popular trails start. Lake loop may be most photogenic one. If you like ridge hiking, Highlands trail (blue) is a good option with loops made via crossing red or orange trails. One of the most challenging (and rewarding) is Bare Rock trail (orange) leading to sweeping viewpoint over Greenwood lake. There are other areas of the park worth exploring. I like also Indian Hill section of the state park, Blue Lake and Four Corners pond area.

Oct 13, 2024

Sterling Forest Lake, named for the silvery barked beaches in this area, is located on Sterling Mine Road. Mining for iron in this area was taking place before the Revolutionary War. The chain across the Hudson River to prevent British warships from sailing past West Point was made in the original foundry at Sterling Mine. It was intended to halt progress of warships and cannon placements in West Point and strategic hill tops would lob cannon shot down onto the stranded vessels. This was a physically impractical engineering design that failed under its own weight. And British naval strategists knew how risky a notion it would be to travel up the Hudson River while the Continental Army held such a strategic and formidable fortress. It was a stalemate. But the mines held an important place for it made the weapons needed to win the war. Mine shafts travel under the lake. Tuxedo River was dammed to create Sterling Forest Lake. It is a watershed. It's clean water is part of the Hudson Highlands watershed and provides water for reservoirs below it. Hiking, mountain biking and cross country skiing trails surround this 20,000 acre lake. The Frank Lautenburg Visitors Center and parking area sits on a prominence on the south side of the lake. You could hike the lake and many connected trails from here or take a short walk to see the restored original blast furnace or crumbling remains of later iron works operations. But now to the present. Last year, two climate related events devastated Sterling Forest and its trails are closed indefinitely. There is no time line for remediating damage here. A May, 2024 violent change of season storm brought the jet stream tumbling to earth, which destroyed the forest as though it was a clear cutting operation. We spoke to a sawyer by the visitors center. Brian was his name and he told us to look at his YouTube videos of what he does. Just Google Brian NV to see his videos. He hikes miles into the woods to open trails with a chain saw. Then, on November 9, 2024, after a long drought, the Jenkins fire scorched the area. It was a quick moving forest fire that may actually be beneficial to old growth trees by removing underbrush that can choke and rob these trees of nutrients. But it's a nice ride to get here and see the big blow down and mine operations and visitor center displays of dioramas, mine artifacts and wildlife.

Jan 13, 2025

Gorgeous experience in the fall. Beautiful lake. Nice foliage. Appreciate that the visitor center has clean bathrooms! FYI - Fire tower remains closed.

Nov 05, 2024

Delighted to visit Sterling Forest. The trails are well maintained for hiking and mountain biking. Highly recommend if you’re an experienced with mtb, there’s someone for everyone for beginner ish moderate with options for the advanced riders. Today was perfect, high 50s, almost little to no riders and hikers. Love being out in weather like this no heat humidity and bugs.

Mar 31, 2024

Very nice easy hike, ample parking at the visitors centre and clear trail signage around the lake. We went anti clockwise around the 4 mile loop finishing with the old mines being the bonus. Easy for all ages and lovely scenery, perfect for a casual hike. Dogs allowed.

Nov 25, 2023