Just in time for the Hudson Valley’s spectacular fall foliage season, the new Highland Falls Preserve is ready for visitors to explore its rocky bluffs, mossy forests, and Hudson River views.

Have you heard of it? The 32-acre preserve is the first public riverfront park in the Village of Highland Falls, making it possible to take in the beauty of the Hudson Highlands and the river just steps from the village center. The village, Scenic Hudson, and a group of dedicated residents have been working together to create the preserve since Scenic Hudson conserved the land in 2020. It is owned by Scenic Hudson and managed by the Village, and its creation was funded in part by the New York State Hudson River Valley Greenway.

“We were delighted to inaugurate the new Highland Falls Preserve as part of our Village’s 120th anniversary celebration, honoring our past while creating an inspiring space for the future,” said Highland Falls Mayor James DiSalvo at the ribbon cutting ceremony on October 3. “I look forward to seeing my fellow villagers up on the trail, taking in the changing leaves, and picnicking with friends and family.”

At the October 5 Village Board meeting he and other board members urged community residents to stop by for a stroll through the piece of property.
“Highland Falls has long deserved a place for its residents and visitors to be able to view and appreciate the Hudson River. We were thrilled to partner with the Village of Highland Falls and the dedicated residents on the Trail Committee to bring the vision of Highland Falls Preserve to life,” said Seth McKee, executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust. “It’s been an honor to be part of this community collaboration to make this spectacular landscape open to all.”

“Highland Falls Preserve is an incredible project that is increasing access to outdoor recreation and the beauty of our region,” said Andy Kitzmann, executive director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway. “We’re proud to support the Village of Highland Falls and Scenic Hudson in this effort with a Conservancy Trail Grant.”

It’s just a 10-minute walk from the center of Highland Falls and is walkable from hundreds of homes. It features a scenic loop trail that is just under a mile. Volunteers, including cadets from West Point, pitched in nearly 500 hours to get the preserve ready for the public, moving more than 19,000 pounds of stone to build 26 steps up to a picnic area.

The landscape is defined by rocky ledges and pitch pine, maple, and oak forests that shelter diverse species of wildlife — including bright yellow pine warblers who make their nests up high in the pines. The area was once part of the historic Roe family estate, which was home to a renowned Hudson River steamboat captain and, later on, a military officer, creating a bridge to the village’s rich history.

The preserve officially opened with the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Village’s 120th anniversary celebration, attended by local leaders such as Highland Falls DPW’s Working Leader Matt Troy, Superintendent of Schools Michael McElduff, Orange County Legislature Chairwoman Laurie Tautel, Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Chris Eachus. That same day there was a guided walk, community meal, drum circle, and nature-based art programming led by Strawtown Studio.

Highland Falls Preserve is free and open year-round, dawn to dusk.