Member Hiking Clubs and Environmental Groups for Trail Hiking, Local Hikes, and Trail Protection in NY and NJ

 

The groups listed here support trails with their membership in the Trail Conference. Click through to their websites or use the contact information provided to learn more about them and how to join. Many welcome guests on hikes. To see a list of current outings that are open to the public click here. Hiking with one of the clubs is a great way for beginners to learn both about how to hike and where the trails are.

If you are the club person responsible for updating the information on your club below, please email jreinhardt@nynjtc.org to make changes.

If your club is not a member of the Trail Conference, get them to join.

 

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB (Parent club of several member clubs)

Albany Chapter - Year-round outings in NY & New England. Weekdays, w/e, holidays. Trail clearing & conservation.

*Long Island Chapter - Year-round hikes, backpack, lodge, trip, raft, canoe, x-c. Monthly meeting & program. Guests welcome.

Mid-Hudson Chapter - Hike, x-c, social activity. Guests welcome.

Mohican Chapter - Westchester & Putnam Co., NY & Fairfield CT. Hike, backpack, x-c, canoe, snowshoe, camp, bike. Guests welcome.

New York Chapter - Hike, maintain trails, camp on Lake Sebago, conservation, x-c.

 North Jersey Ramapo Chapter - North Jersey & Rockland/Orange Co., NY. Hike, x-c, snowshoe, canoe, conservation, trail maintenance.

Other chapters throughout NYS.
Contact ADK, 814 Goggins Rd., Lake George, NY 12845; 518-793-7737.

Adventures for Women - Outdoor skills training, day hikes, backpacking, outdoor vacation w/e. 15 Victoria Ln., Morristown, NJ 07960; 973-644-3592.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB (Parent club of several member clubs)

AMC Delaware Valley Chapter

AMC Mohawk-Hudson Chapter - Local, Adirondacks, Catskills, Taconics, Bershires. Hike, bike, x-c, snowshoe, canoe, field trips, trail maintenance, active conservation.

*AMC Mohican Outdoor Center - Camp in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Public invited to independent stay or workshops. 908-362-5670, 9am-7pm, 7 days. mohican@mindspring.com.

*AMC NY-North Jersey Chapter - All outdoor activities, with a focus on hiking, backpacking, and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail. 5 Tudor City Pl., NYC 10017; 212-986-1430, office@amc-ny.org.

Other chapters throughout the northeast.
Contact: AMC, 5 Joy St., Boston, MA 02108; 617-523-0636, information@amcinfo.org.

Bellvale School - Hiking, trail maintenance, Lakes Rd. Wildcat shelter. 359 Gibsonhill Rd., Chester, NY 10918.

Black Rock Forest Consortium - Research, education, and forest stewardship. 129 Continental Rd., Cornwall, NY 12518; 845-534-4517.

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

BSA Troop 2 (Middleburgh Otschodela Council) - 108 Brooks Dr., Middleburgh, NY 12122.

BSA Troop 8 (Brooklyn) - Outdoor activities including trail & orienteering volunteer maintenance. 1715 Newkirk Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226; 718-941-9835.

BSA Troop 23 - 407 Merritt Rd., West Point, NY 10996.

BSA Troop 36 - 70 Martin Ave., Oradell, NJ 07649; 201-986-0710, sharples@optonline.net.

BSA Troop 50 - 26 Alcott Rd., Mahwah, NJ 07430. 

BSA Troop 121 (Hudson Valley Council) - 73 Shepard Ave., Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.

BSA Troop 258 - 118 Malcolm Rd., Mahwah, NJ 07430.

BSA Troop 288 - PO Box 420, Annandale, NJ 08801; 908-437-6057.

BSA Iaopogh Camp Maintenance Committee - Volunteers maintain Camp Yaw Paw, Ramapos; 201-444-8206.

Boy Scouts of America Northern NJ Council - Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson & Passaic Co. Youth outdoor activity combined with citizen and leader development, maintain trails in camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, Blairstown, NJ. For troop, post, pack: 25 Ramapo Valley Rd., Oakland, NJ 07436; 201-677-1000, info@nnjbsa.org.

Byram Township (NJ) Environmental Commission -  Promotes conservation and development of township resources, leads natural resources planning, and informs public about local conservation programs.

Campmor Environmental Team - Associated with Campmor, 810 Rt. 17 N, Paramus, NJ; 201-445-5000, info@campmor.com.

Catskill 3500 Club - Recognizes hikers who have climbed all 35 peaks over 3500 feet. Year-round hikes most Saturdays and Sundays, trail maintenance, conservation activities. Contact Cindy Kuhn, 7 Joyce St., Moosic, Pa. 18507; 570-954-7541 no calls after 9pm.

Catskill Center for Conservation & Development - Protects, sustains and fosters cultural landscapes, communities, arts and education of Catskills region. Year-round events, hikes, outings and lectures. PO Box 504, 43355 Rt. 28, Arkville, NY 12406; 845-586-2611, membership@catskillcenter.org.

Catskill Mountain Club - Outdoor recreational activities, volunteer stewardship of public resources, educational programs and environmental and recreational advocacy. PO Box 558, Pine Hill, NY 12465.

*Chinese Mountain Club of NY - Year-round, hike, bike, backpack, canoe, camp, x-c.

Church Communities Foundation - Youth hiking, camping, swimming, trail maintenance. 2255 Platte Clove Rd., Elka Park, NY 12427; 518-589-5103.

East Coast Greenway Alliance -  Promotes creating and protecting a planned 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway connecting 25 major cities and friendly for bike and pedestrian use.

Delaware and Hudson Canal and Gravity Railroad Conservancy - Maintains 12 miles of trails on the D&H Canal Towpath in Orange/Sullivan Counties in NY. 119 Mandys Rd., Westtown, NY 10998; 800-674-8010. Contact Cliff Robinson.

East Hampton Trails Preservation Society - Year-round twice-weekly town hikes. Biking, kayaking, adventure trips in East Hampton and beyond. Volunteer crews maintain trails. PO Box 2144, Amagansett, NY 11930; info@easthamptontrails.org.

Fire Island Wilderness Committee - 325 Beaver Dam Rd., Brookhaven, NY 11719; 914-632-8936, fiwilderness@earthlink.net.

Flat Rock Brook Nature Association - 150-acre nature preserve, 3.2 mi. trails free and open to public, year-round nature programs for children and adults. Membership organization, call for fees. 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631; 201-567-1265.

Friends of Angle Fly Preserve -  Volunteers build trails, maintain facilities, and advocate for land stewardship at 654-acre Angle Fly Preserve wildlife sanctuary in Somers, Westchester County. Overseen by Somers Land Trust.

Friends of Garret Mountain - Environmental group committed to preserve and protect Garret Mountain and Rifle Camp Parks in Passaic Co., NJ. Birding, botany and general walks. Members welcome. Contact Norma Holmes, 973-746-8933.

Friends of Glen Gray - Camping and hiking facility in Bergen Co., NJ. Hiking trails, fishing lake (ages 16+, requires NJ Fishing License), cabins, lean-tos, tent sites, sports field, campfire ring, amphitheater, dining hall, kitchen, wood stoves in cabins, cabins with electricity. 201-327-7234, fax 201-327-0322, campglengray@aol.com.

Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct - The Old Croton Aqueduct is a National Historic Landmark and the longest thinnest Historic State Park in NY, averaging 60 feet wide and spanning 26.2 miles from Van Cortlandt Park to the Croton Dam.

Friends of Pelham Bay Park - Supports and maintains trails in NYC's Pelham Bay Park.

Friends of the Shawangunks - Environmental group concerned with Gunk ridge. Members welcome. PO Box 270, Accord, NY 12404; 845-687-4759, info@shawangunks.org.

*German-American Hiking Club - Hike, x-c, w/e lodge trip, canoe. GAHC2@verizon.net.

Highlands Natural Pool - Olympic-size, stream-fed swimming pool adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest trails. Memberships and day passes available. 180 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood, NJ 07456; 973-835-4299 or info@highlandspool.com.

Hiking Group for Singles and Friends - 16 McAllister Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854; 203-854-5508.

Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. - c/o Geordan Smith, 50 Chestnut Rd., Verona NJ 07044; 973-857-4168.

Hudson Highlands Gateway Task Force - Hiking, trail building, marking trails, trail maintenance, snowshoeing, bird watching. Town of Cortlandt, 1 Heady Street, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567; Richardd@TownofCortlandt.com.

Hudson River Valley Greenway - Sponsors annual Hudson River Valley Ramble, a regional hiking event, and Great Hudson River Paddle, regional kayaking event. Provides assistance and funding for local land use planning and trail projects. Capitol Bldg. Rm. 254, Albany, NY 12224; 518-473-3835, hrvg@hudsongreeway.state.ny.us.

Hudson Valley Hikers - Meetup group of outdoor enthusiasts with hikes every weekend. Hike, backpack, camp, kayak, cycle, mountaineer, rock/ice climb, etc.

Hunterdon Hiking Club - Year-round hike, x-c. c/o Hunterdon Co. Park System, Rt. 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833; 908-782-1158.

Hyde Park Trails - Promotes healthy recreation use and care of over 14 miles of hiking trails linking parks, preserves and historic sites throughout the town of Hyde Park. hptrail@gmail.com.

Interstate Hiking Club - Fri., Sat., Sun. events in Northern NJ & Southern NY. Hiking, canoeing, biking, snowshoeing, and trail maintenance. 33 Morris Ave., PO Box 52, Mt. Tabor, NJ 07878; 973-625-4379 no calls after 9pm, info@interstatehikingclub.org.

Long Path North Hiking Club - Year-round hike, snowshoe, x-c in Albany, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties. SASE to PO Box 855, Schoharie, NY 12157; 518-864-7068.

Mohonk Preserve - Manages and protects 6,400 acres in Shawangunks. Hikes, x-c, public welcome. PO Box 715, New Paltz, NY 12561; 845-255-0919.

Morris County Park Commission - Year-round guided hikes, w/e programs, hiking, x-c, all levels. Visitors Center open Wed.-Sun. 10:00am-4:30pm. 472-A Boonton Ave., Boonton, NJ 07005; 973-334-3130.

Morris Trails Conservancy - Monthly hikes, trail maintenance, and construction in Morris Co. PO Box 1295, Morristown, NJ 07962; 973-829-8256, mtc@morris.parks.nj.us.

Morris Trails Partnership - PO Box 1295, Morristown, NJ 07962; 973-829-8256; morristrails@gmail.com.

*Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club - Jewish hiking club. Year-round hike, bike, ski, skate. PO Box 332 Baldwin, NY 11510; 212-502-0820.

Mountain Skills Climbing Guides - AGMA-accredited climbing and hiking guide service based in the Gunks and Catskill Mountains. Trail Conference retail partner offering discounts to Trail Conference members. PO Box 991, New Paltz, NY 12561; 845-853-5450, info@mountainskills.biz.

Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy - Environmental group focusing on NJ Highlands conservation, trail construction, maintenance, hiking. Contact John Jimenez, 908-537-7631.

Nassau Hiking and Outdoor Club - Weekly hikes, various levels, guests welcome. Backpacking, camping, biking, skiing and w/e trips in LI, Harriman, Hudson Valley and Catskills.

Nelsonville Greenway Committee - Trail maintenance, hiking, maintains Nelsonville Trail & Split Rock Trail up to the White Trail junction on top of Bull Hill. Contact Walter Garschagen, 845-265-2500.

New Haven Hiking Club - Hiking, biking, camping, canoe and kayak trips, x/c, snowshoe, trail maintenance, social outings.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation - 170 Longview Rd., Far Hills, NJ 07931.

New Jersey Search & Rescue - Trains and searches for lost hikers and elderly. 24 hr emergency: 201-646-2705 (thru Bergen Co. police). Meets at Bergen County Police and Fire Academy in Mahwah. Contact info@njsar.org, 201-745-4935.

*New York Alpine Club - Asian-American club. Year round hike, ice/rock climb, backpack, snowboard, ski, camp.

*New York Hiking Club - Year-round hike, w/e trips.

*New York Ramblers - Unusual, long, strenuous hikes.

North Haven Trails Association - 25 South Dr., Sag Harbor, NY 11963; 631-725-4764, northhaventrails@gmail.com.

NYC Audubon Society - Offers classes and seminars about the city’s bird population, leads outdoor tours and excursions to experience NYC’s bird life first hand. Programs available for children, young adults and adults.

NYC Outward Bound Center - 29-46 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-706-9900, rburke@nycoutwardbound.org.

Outdoor Bound Adventures - This commercial member organization leads hiking, climbing, biking, canoe, kayak, and x/c trips out of NYC. Maintains Trail Conference trails. 

*Outdoors Club - Easy to strenuous hikes, bikes, city walks, cultural trips, more. Newsletter and hike schedule. PO Box 227, Lenox Hill Station, NYC 10021; hbmanyee@yahoo.com.

Outdoor Single Friends - Singles over 40. Hiking excursions, shows, dinners.

Paddling Bares Canoe Club - Naturist/nudists. Serious canoeing for people that don’t take life too seriously. Canoe, hike, skinny dip. PO Box 22, Milltown, NJ 08550.

Palisades Nature Association - Administers 165-acre Greenbrook Sanctuary, weekly field trip and nature walk. Members only, groups by appointment. PO Box 155, Alpine NJ 07620, 201-768-1360.

Phoenix Hikers - Hike in CT, NY and MA. Occasional back-pack or camping. Most members come from Fairfield University but membership is open. Contact Curt Naser.

Port Richmond CERT and Rescue Inc. - Community Emergency Response Team on Staten Island. 154 Clinton Pl., Staten Island, NY 10305. Contact Thomas DeMarzo, 718-448-7160.

Protect our Wetlands, Water & Woods (POWWW) - Hiking, fundraising, trail maintenance, land trust for purchasing open space. PO Box 438, Denville, NJ 07834.

*Protectors of Pine Oak Woods - Field trips, hike, land conservation, mainly on Staten Island. Bulletin available, guests welcome.

Ramsey Outdoorsman Hiking Club/Women of Ramsey Outdoor - Associated with Ramsey Outdoor Stores; 201-327-8141.

Rip Van Winkle Hikers - Year-round hike in Catskills and Mid-Hudson. All levels, guest welcome. Every Mon., 2nd & 4th Sat., 1st Wed. Meeting 4th Mon. bimonthly.

Rock Lodge Club - Nudist/family and kid-friendly. Maintains own trail network, engages in local environmental and land preservation efforts, leads annual hike thru Russia Brook Sanctuary. Clean spring-fed swimming lake, tennis, sauna, hot tub, overnight facilities. Visitors welcome, memberships available. Stockholm, NJ.  

RPHC Volunteers - AT hikers and trail maintainers focused on the AT in Putnam & Dutchess Counties, NY. Contact Timothy Messerich, 845-297-9573.

Save the Ridge - Activist group dedicated to protecting the Shawangunk Ridge in NY. 5 Aumick Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589; 845-744-4201, publicleaningpost@earthlink.net.

St. Benedicts Backpacking Project - Open only to current students and faculty at school. Caretakers for Gren Anderson Shelter and its side trail to the AT.

Shorewalkers Inc. - Box 20748, New York, NY 10025.

SIERRA CLUB

Lower Hudson Group (NY) - National & local conservation, outings, lectures, socials.

Mid-Hudson Group (NY) - Weekly hike, canoe, x-c, all levels. Socials, national & local conservation, national outings program. PO Box 1012, Poughkeepsie NY 12602.

Society for the Advancement of Judaism - Contemporary Reconstructionist synagogue rooted in Jewish tradition and committed to spiritual growth, social justice, and building community. 15 W 86th St., New York, NY 10024; 212-724-7000.

Southampton Trails Preservation Society - P.O. Box 1263, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.

South Mountain Conservancy - Preserves, protects, and enhances the 2099-acre South Mountain Reservation in Essex Co., NJ, through education, public service, and advice to local government agencies. PO Box 273, South Orange, NJ 07079.

*Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society - Gay/lesbian. Hike, camp, canoe, bike, ski, country lodge, socials. PO Box 2737, NYC 10163; 212-598-4726.

SUNY Oneonta Outing Club - pettas@oneonta.edu.

Teaneck Creek Conservancy - Member-supported, non-profit organization dedicated to the reclamation and protection of environmental, cultural, and historical legacy of Teaneck Creek watershed. 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, NJ 07666; 201-836-2503, devery@teaneckcreek.org.

Teatown Lake Reservation - 834-acre Westchester nature preserve and center, 14 miles of trails, educational programs, trips, lectures. Trail crews meet w/e monthly Apr. thru Dec., Adopt-a-Trail ongoing trail assessment. 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining, NY 10562; 914-762-2912.

Tenafly Nature Center Association - 400-acre preserve, 7+ miles of trails, 3-acre pond, abundant with wildlife. Open to the public year-round, more than 1100 groups of all ages visit yearly; 201-568-6093.

Thendara Mountain Club - Hike, canoe, backpack, x-c, snowshoe, trail maintenance, camp on Lake Tiorati, Harriman Park.

Torne Valley Preservation Association, Inc. - PO Box 765, Hillburn, NY 10931; 845-357-0158, savetorne@worldnet.att.net.

Union County Hiking Club - Year-round outdoor activities, hikes and bicycle riding.

University Outing Club - Hike, canoe, field trips, films, dinners. Central NJ area, open to public, families welcome.

Urban Trail Conference, Inc. - Year-round hikes, cultural and nature walks in NYC and tri-state area, all via public transportation.

Valley Stream Hiking Club - Hiking and walking in NY, NJ, CT, & MA trails and towns. Maintain a Long Island Greenbelt Trail. 67 E Fairview Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580; 516-837-7515.

Wappinger Greenway Trail Committee - Several municipalities and nonprofits that maintain a 10 mile figure-8 trail including woods, roads, and sidewalks around Wappinger Lake and Wappinger Creek in Wappinger Falls, Dutchess Co., NY.

Warren County Morris Canal Committee - 165 Rt. 519 S, Belvidere, NJ 07823; gsipple@co.warren.nj.us.

*Weis Ecology Center/NJ Audubon Society - Nature center near Norvin Green State Forest. Camping, programs, guided hikes, access to trails in NJ Highlands, 1 hr from NYC. 150 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood, NJ 07456; 973-835-2160, weis@njaudubon.org.

Westchester Trails Association - Day hikes every Sat. & Sun., fall Catskills w/e, carpool at North White Plains Station parking lot.

Women About - Lesbian, age 18+. Non-profit organization offering a supportive environment to meet for year-round urban walks, hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, x-c.