Manitou Point Nature Preserve (Manitou Point Preserve)
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Park Overview:
A small park on the Hudson River, Manitou Point Preserve includes forest, tidal marsh, a steep ravine, and views.
Trail Alert - Manitou Point Preserve: Trail Reorganization (August 2017)
Park Description:
Manitou Point Preserve
Formerly known as Mystery Point, Manitou Point Preserve offers the enduring natural beauty of the Hudson River as well as a sense of the grace of a bygone era. The natural features of the property include a mature wooded upland with numerous rock outcrops, a steep-sided ravine, a portion of Manitou Marsh, and sheer rocky bluffs along the river.
Part of the former estate of Edward Livingston, a descendant of Philip Livingston, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Preserve was acquired in 1990 by the Open Space Institute and Scenic Hudson. In 2013, the property was conveyed to a private owner subject to a conservation easement that retains public access rights to the entire parcel (except for the mansion and the surrounding 21 acres). There are four miles of trails available for public use. The Preserve is managed by the Open Space Institute, with the trails maintained by volunteers from the New York-New JerseyTrail Conference.
Trails Overview:
There are two distinct trail systems. One is a loop of a mile on the section of the Preserve between the railroad tracks and the Hudson River, with spectacular views of the Hudson River. This trail may be treacherous in winter because of sheer drops adjacent to the river. The trails east of the railroad tracks proceed through a forested area, with many rock outcrops.
PLEASE NOTE: Although this property is now privately owned, an agreement with the landowner allows for public access to the preserve and its trail network. Please respect the owner's privacy by paying attention to all signs and avoiding areas marked as private.
Click for a detailed description of a hike in the Preserve.
Park Acreage:
137.00 acresMunicipality:
GarrisonA small park on the Hudson River, Manitou Point Preserve includes forest, tidal marsh, a steep ravine, and views.
Trail Alert - Manitou Point Preserve: Trail Reorganization (August 2017)
Manitou Point Preserve
Formerly known as Mystery Point, Manitou Point Preserve offers the enduring natural beauty of the Hudson River as well as a sense of the grace of a bygone era. The natural features of the property include a mature wooded upland with numerous rock outcrops, a steep-sided ravine, a portion of Manitou Marsh, and sheer rocky bluffs along the river.
Part of...
Park Acreage:
137.00 acresMunicipality:
GarrisonContact Information
Web Link:
Open Space InstitutePhone:
(212) 290-8200Fees:
NoneDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, head north on Route 9D for 1.7 miles and turn left into the parking area for the preserve at a small sign for the "Manitou Point Nature Preserve." The parking area is 750 feet north of the intersection of Route 9D with South Mountain Pass.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Metro-North's Hudson Line provides service to the Manitou station on a limited basis, primarily weekends. Check their schedule. From the station, proceed east on Manitou Station Road for 0.1 mile, then turn left and pass between stone pillars with a white gate onto a dirt road that runs along the southeast edge of Manitou Marsh.
BUS TRANSPORT :
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