Conserving Land • Protecting Resources
Since 1987
 

As of January 1, 2024, the Rensselaer Land Trust has merged with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. For all questions regarding donations, events, land, or other matters, please visit www.rensselaerplateau.org or call 518-712-9211. For questions about the merger, use extension 101 to speak with Jim Bonesteel. You can expect a new name and logo for our merged organization by Spring / Summer 2024 and a new website by the end of the year!

kinderhook4Description

The Kinderhook Creek Preserve is a 85‐acre “working forest” with one‐half mile of shoreline along the Kinderhook and five miles of trails open to the public. The trails seem to extend everywhere—along stone walls and ridges; through tall, majestic pines; down hemlock‐covered slopes to the Kinderhook Creek and up to the view on the oak‐covered ridge; and then back to meet other trails. Wildlife is abundant, particularly white‐tailed deer. The trails, some steep but others gentle, make for exciting and interesting hiking, snowshoeing, and cross‐country skiing. Other activities include geocaching, horseback riding, wildflower walks, birding, mushroom walks, rock exploring, and botanical studies.

The Preserve contains a wide variety of ecosystems including cliffs, hemlock‐hardwood swamp, riverside sand and gravel bars, and six forest types, providing habitat for wildlife and rare plants. The Preserve provides easy access to the Kinderhook Creek for fishing, exploring in the shallows, and picnicking along the lovely shores—highlights of a day’s adventure in these woods.

kinderhook1Conservation of the property is built around the concept of a “working forest” whose objectives include ecological and environmental protection, outdoor recreation, timber production using sustainable forest management practices, wildlife habitat enhancement, scenic enjoyment, and educational and nature studies.

A kiosk with trail maps (below) and other information is at the parking area on Martha Hicks Road. We thank the Gaskell, York, and Newton families and the Golden Foundation for their generous donation of this land which is now preserved and protected forever to benefit the public now and in the future.

kinderhook3Rules

The Kinderhook Creek Preserve is open to the public from dawn
to dusk. Permitted activities are hiking, nature viewing, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, educational study, and birding. Please take all trash out with you.

Swimming, mountain biking, motorized vehicles including ATVs and motorcycles, camping, and removal or disturbance of plants and wildlife are not permitted.

No hunting until further notice.

Directions

Kinderhook Creek Preserve is on Martha Hicks Road. From Route 66 just north of the East Nassau Post Office, turn west onto Tsatsawassa Lake Road. In about 1⁄2 mile, take a left onto Martha Hicks Road, and in 2/10ths of a mile the Preserve will be on your left. In your GPS or Google Maps, enter 285 Martha Hicks Road, East Nassau, NY, 12062, which is across the street from the Preserve.

Parking

In May 2020 the parking lot was expanded to accomodate 15 cars. Parking along Martha Hicks Road is prohibited. We need to leave adequate room for emergency vehicles to pass by. We have placed cones and no parking signs along the roadside to deter cars from parking outside of the parking lot. If the parking lot is full, please come back another time – or visit another nature preserve nearby. Our Robert Ingalls Preserve is just 3 1/2 miles away on Garfield Nassau Road. Read more here.

Maps

Join us on Friends of Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve on Facebook Page

Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve at a glance

  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Description: The Kinderhook Creek Preserve is a “working forest” with ½ mile of shoreline along the Kinderhook and five miles of wide trails through a variety of habitats, providing great
  • outdoor recreation.
  • Activities: Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, geocaching, birding, nature study. Dogs on leash. Hunting with permission only.
  • Trails: Yes
  • Handicap Accessible: No
  • Location: Nassau and Village of East Nassau
  • Acres: 85