The nearly 7,000 acres of land under the protection and management of the Mohonk Preserve encompass mountain ridges, forests, and various bodies of water. The preserve offers 70 miles of carriage roads and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding and more than 1,000 rock-climbing routes. Riders must bring their own horses. The preserve is also home to 1,400 species of plants and animals. Deer hunting is allowed, according to New York State guidelines.
The Mohonk Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is $10 for hikers and bikers and $15 for climbers. Children 12 years of age and under are admitted free.
Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center
3197 Rte. 44/55
Gardiner, NY 12525
845-255-0919
mohonkpreserve.org
From May through October, the Catskill Mountain Railroad offers a 12-mile round-trip train ride that provides scenic views of Esopus Creek and the surrounding mountains. A great way to take in the fall foliage, the ride follows the route of one of the old railroad companies that once represented the only means of transportation between New York City and the Catskill mountains. Fares are $14 for adults and $8 for children. Children under the age of four ride for free. Passengers can board at Mount Tremper Station or the the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia.
Catskill Mountain Railroad -- Mount Tremper Station
5408 Rte. 28
Mt. Tremper, NY 12457
845-688-7400
catskillmtrailroad.com
Catskill Mountain Railroad -- Phoenicia Station
70 Lower High St.
Phoenicia, NY 12464
845-688-7400
catskillmtrailroad.com
Harvey Fite's Opus 40 is a six and a half-acre environmental sculpture carved out of a bluestone quarry. Relying exclusively on hand tools, Fite spent 37 years creating the massive work of art, which features a maze-like arrangement of ramps, bridges, terraces, pools and plants. The sculpture's focal point is an uncarved monolith. A collection of Fite's tools are on display at the Quarryman Museum inside the Visitor's Center.
Opus 40 is located in the town of Saugerties. It is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adult, $7 for students and seniors and $3 for school children. Children under the age of six are admitted free.
Opus 40 and the Quarryman's Museum
50 Fite Rd.
Saugerties, NY 12477
845-246-3400
opus40.org
