Garrison School Forest
Directions
North Redoubt – Cannon Trailhead (Red) Located on parkland outside the Garrison School Forest. From the eastern end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on NY 9D for 5.4 miles to an intersection with Snake Hill Road. Turn right onto Snake Hill Road.
- Recommended trailhead parking: Travel on Snake Hill Road about 0.2 mile to Nazareth Way, turn right. An ample parking space is at 20 Nazareth Way, Garrison, NY 10524, GPS: 41.384264, -73.931204
- Alternatively, follow Snake Hill Road Rd to address number 135, roughly 0.7 mile from the intersection at NY 9D. GPS: 41.382243, -73.923419
- According to AgileTrekker: “We parked at #135 Snake Hill Road. It is someone's driveway, but it isn't as bad as it sounds. There is a sign for #135 on the road. Drive down the gravel driveway. There is a house on the right, but keep to your left and pass it. The driveway becomes a bit "rugged" - and you wonder if you are driving down a trail rather than to a parking area. But, just a bit past the house there is a parking area with room for around 5 cars.”
South Redoubt – Sloan Carriage Trail (Gray) From the eastern end of Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on NY 9D for 4.6 miles. Turn right on Route 403 (Cat Rock Road). Travel to #322 Cat Rock Road, turn left onto a paved driveway (shared and co-owned by the Garrison School Forest), which leads to a parking area for 4-5 cars to the right of a private house. GPS: 41.371929, -73.931280
Park Overview
Parkland owned by a school district with hiking trails open to the public and historically important Revolutionary War ruins.
Trail Overview
The School Forest contains six trails that wind through woods, ravines, steep ledges, a swamp, a meadow, and the South Redoubt. The red-blazed Cannon Trail (also identified as the Old Cannon Road) connects to both redoubts. Click for a detailed description of a 3-mile linear hike along this trail.
Use the Web Map link on this site, scroll down to view two trail maps displaying slight variations, one dating from 2005, the other from 2014.
Park Description
The Garrison School Forest with contiguous NYS parkland contain the ruins of two Revolutionary War forts – the North Redoubt and South Redoubt – which once were part of the outer ring of defenses of Fortress West Point, across the Hudson River. Once owned by Beverly Robinson, a Loyalist who moved to England during the Revolutionary War, the 181 acres of the Forest were donated to the Garrison Union Free School District in 1956 by members of the Sloan, Osborn and Gunther families.
The South Redoubt was built in 1779, and played a part in history in 1780. On September 25 of that year, George Washington visited the South Redoubt just before he learned of Benedict Arnold’s treason and flight.