Moccasin Kill Sanctuary

Guidelines: To help ensure that this special place can be enjoyed for future generations, please leave no trace and carry out what you carry in. Camping, littering, hunting, fires, or removal or destruction of plants or animals are prohibited. See our full preserve visitation guidelines for more information.

What to See: The Moccasin Kill flows through the preserve and meets the Mohawk River about a mile downstream. The creek has eroded the land here and created deep ravines and exposed bedrock. Depending on the time of year, the Moccasin Kill can be either full, creating several beautiful cascades, or dry, exposing layers of bedrock.

Of the many spring wildflowers growing along the trail, perhaps the most beautiful is pink trailing arbutus, which blooms in late April and early May. The trails pass through hemlock ravines and mixed hardwood forest, which includes several kinds of oak (chestnut, red and white) as well as hickories, maples and birches.

From the trailhead, cross the footbridge and follow the blue-blazed trail for about one-quarter mile to find the trail junction for the red trail. The red trail splits off to a 0.4 mile loop that follows a ridge along the Moccasin Kill ravine.  The blue trail continues for about a 0.5 mile loop through hemlock forest.

From the parking area, the blue trail loop is 0.7 mi long, and the red trail loop is 0.4 miles. The blue and red trails have an average grade of 11%, though the red trail has some particularly steep sections. Both trails have several short, steep climbs and may have muddy terrain. There is a flourishing stand of poison ivy between the parking area and the bridge.