Get to know the Rockefeller State Park Preserve

One of the Rockefellers’ many philanthropic contributions to the great state they call their home is the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester County.

Donated by Laurance S. Rockefeller to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 1983, the park is part of the family estate in Pocantico Hills.

Subsequent donations have seen the park expand from around 1,200 acres to its current size of more than 1,400 acres.
It has been open year-round since 1999, from 7 a.m. until sunset.

How to get there

Rockefeller State Park Preserve is located in the village of Sleepy Hollow, around 30 miles from New York City on Route 117, one mile east of Route 9.

To get there, visitors from NYC can take the Metro North Hudson Line to the Tarrytown Station.

From the station, a quick taxi ride will take you to the Preserve Office in Pleasantville, where you can get a map and some guides.

Amenities and activities

Photo courtesy of Rockefeller State Park Preserve https://www.facebook.com/RockefellerSPP/

A multitude of outdoor activities can be enjoyed at the Preserve.
The park is home to various natural habitats and is considered an important bird sanctuary.It’s got meadows, wetlands, rivers, forests, and the beautiful (and beautifully named) Swan Lake for visitors to enjoy.

In fact, guests who walk along a system of carriage roads built by Dr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. himself are treated to scenic vistas of woodlands, fields, streams, and stone bridges.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also take part in many activities such as:

Fishing
Hiking
FSledding
Cross-country skiing
Horseback riding and carriage driving
Snowboarding

The Rockefeller State Park Preserve abides by a strict set of rules to make sure the place remains enjoyable for everyone.

Before you plan a trip to the park, be advised that anglers need a Preserve fishing permit from the park’s office and a New York State fishing license. Equestrian activities also require a permit.