Black Rock Forest

Black Rock Forest has served as a field station for scientific research and education for more than seven decades. The forest was originally set aside in 1918 by Dr. Ernest Stillman for experimentation in forest management and for demonstration of forestry methods. The forest is now administered by the Black Rock Forest Consortium, a group of public and private educational and research institutions whose mission is to promote scientific research and excellence in education while carefully managing the ecosystem of the forest. Several scientific studies are in progress at any given time, and thousands of students visit the forest each year for a variety of educational programs. Less than a mile into the Forest, the Science Center, Forest Lodge, and Pavilion enjoy spectacular views; all use green building techniques and serve as models for sustainable design principles and technologies, with award-winning environmental features. They are open to the public, but no exhibits are provided. Despite this primary educational emphasis, the Consortium is dedicated to keeping Black Rock Forest open to the public for recreational pursuits such as hiking.

Black Rock Forest's cultural history dates from about the time of the American Revolution. The Continental Army used Continental Road, which bisects the forest, as a route across the mountains from West Point to New Windsor and Newburgh. From Spy Rock, sentinels from Washington's camp at Newburgh monitored British vessels sailing up the Hudson from Haverstraw Bay.

The forest represents a characteristic slice of New York's Hudson Highlands. Botanists have described a number of distinctly different ecological zones and it also contains numerous ponds and reservoirs, which supply local communities with water and the hiker with refreshing vistas.

To hike in Black Rock Forest, organized groups should contact the Forest in advance. There is no entry to Black Rock Forest during deer-rifle season.

The main parking area is 0.2 mile south of US 9W on the northern side of the forest. Coming from the south, drivers take the first right turn onto Mountain Road, 0.4 mile after the parking area on US 9W. A sharp right leads through a very narrow one-lane tunnel under the highway. (The tunnel is passable by small vehicles only; larger vehicles should proceed as below.) The road passes a T intersection and continues to the main parking area. Larger vehicles, or those that miss the Mountain Road turnoff, can proceed north on US 9W to the Angola Road exit to the southbound lanes of US 9 and proceed as described below.

For visitors coming from the north on US 9W, the entrance to the forest is 1.5 miles south of Angola Road. A right turn onto Reservoir Road and another right turn at the T junction in 0.3 mile leads to the main parking area. Limited parking is available at other forest entrances, with the largest area immediately adjacent to US 9W, south of Old West Point Road. There is also limited parking on the west side as noted in the trail descriptions.

Public Transportation: Coach USA bus service to within two miles of the forest is available from New York City's Port Authority terminal to Mountainville (on the west side of the forest) or to Cornwall-on-Hudson (on the north side).