albany pine bush preserve

KurtVW

This is a very nice nature preserve. They take care of it very well. many animals and insects to see along the trails. The main building had many exhibits to look at and the kids enjoyed all of the hands on activities.

A6406SKdavidf

You can walk, hike, snowshoe and cross country ski in the Pinebush which I have done other then skiing. The trails are clear and well marked and you can choose long or short flat or somewhat elevated trails. They have an excellent visitors center which is quite attractive . The only negative comment I would have is that there are tics so dress accordingly. One last comment: I just love it in the winter after the snow drops. Enjoy!

Walsh13k

Park your car and take a hike. Albany Pine Bush Preserveis well laid-out for a good hike. Signs are posted to explainplants and animal life. Watch out for ticks during the season. But for a good hike, free of charge, it may be worth the challenge.

thomasr880

After you park at the park headquarters, you can choose between 3 or 4 path, up to 2.2 miles, and even combine them. It's hilly, but not too much. Make sure to pick up a trail map from the park center (free) before getting onto the path because one can get lost. I walk at least once a week there when the weather is good.

Davesko16

This is an inland pine baron with fantastic trails for hiking running biking or horseback riding. Make sure you remember to do a tick check afterward.

Mimf

Always s looking for something different to do on days out in Albany. This preserve is a fresh water pine barren in the heart of New York State and right in Albany. Be careful if you're using gaps though. It took me way round the back to a maintenance entrance! Shoot for the Discovery Center and use a hard copy map. It was raining when it was time for the 45 minute Karner Walk so we sat in a meeting room, only 4 of us on a Friday, but an interested 4. The walk guide spent 15 minutes or so giving us the origins of the pine barren, how building Crossgates Mall negatively affected the area ecologically and all about the Karner. Fascinating stuff for the 4 of us. School children would enjoy more action and there are such programs available so advance planning is a good thing check out the website for the upcoming calendar and pre-registration. The rain had eased off so we took a short walk around one of the observation trails. A lovely visit and one that led into lunch and then the movies on a rainy day.

unwindwithspa

I liked that my dog could run and enjoy nature. Beware- tons of ticks. Wear a hat and spray your dog.

Jimbo_Queens_NewYork

Modern main building, with interesting exhibits and classroom space. Also, info booth and maps of well-defined nature trails throughout the preserve.

254tonyp

We live in the Pine Bush area. It's a great place to take a walk i nlate spring or fall. Accessible from so many places. And with the Mall and Stuvesant Plaza nearby, you can get your nature, shopping and junk food in all in an afternoon.

Denise540

Nice trails and surroundings with local flowers and trees, with a variety of elevations. Close to home. Not overly crowded.

950laurad

If you walk the trails, you can imagine what this region looked like to the Native Americans. The Pine Bush is a unique eco-system that is endangered by encroaching development and a landfill from the City of Albany that should have been closed a decade ago. On Route 155 you can now visit the Pine Bush Preserve Nature Center, that is very well done. Gorgeous in the mid-autumn when the low lying foliage is striking but also pretty any other season.

3432Sandy57

If you are looking for something for the whole family, this is one terrific place to stop. We walked with dogs and infant around a well maintained path and then spent a bit of time at the nature center. (One if us had to wait outside with pups, as they aren't allowed in, but I think I had noticed a dog boarding facility just outside the preserve). After reading other reviews, I see we could have done much more if we had time. Staff were very friendly and helpful too.

TSB9205

Relaxing, interesting and even educational! Tour was led by a very knowledgeable young lady. The preserve was beautiful and we had a lovey walk along a well designated path. You can walk it alone or go with a guide. Nice thing about going alone is that you can stop for long periods if you really want to bird watch or look for the rare butterfly that makes this place it home.

family_of_roone

We took one of their gps classes and the kids loved it. We've been back for another family type hike. The museum area is small but interesting. Worth stopping in.

Gershwin12

Fishing, Kayaking, hiking, birding and,nature. Everything one would want in a park. There were signs on the lake saying "no swimming".