Mill Brook Preserve — Attraction in Town of New Paltz

A Shady and Peaceful Walk at Mill Brook Preserve

The Mill Brook Preserve in New Paltz is a truly beautiful and peaceful spot, perfect for a shady walk with your dog or a brisk mountain bike ride. The trails are well-marked and easy to follow, as shown on the trail map near the trailhead. The presence of signs for the "Blue Trail" and "Pink Trail" make navigating a breeze.

The preserve's most striking feature is its dense canopy of trees, which provides a welcome escape from the sun. The paths are covered in a carpet of fallen leaves, giving the forest a soft, tranquil feel. A particular highlight is a unique, ancient-looking tree that appears to be split down the middle, with two massive trunks rising from a single base. I'll call this incredible sight the Split-Trunk Sentinel. It's a must-see landmark that gives the preserve a touch of ancient magic.

The trail also follows the course of a small brook, which adds to the serene atmosphere. You'll find spots where the water pools and reflects the sky and trees, creating a beautiful, natural mirror. The photos also reveal what looks like a series of old concrete or stone structures along the creek, adding a hint of history and mystery to the landscape.

While the trails are rugged with uneven footing in some spots, they offer a great opportunity for a quiet escape into nature. It's a wonderful place to walk, and the natural shade makes it ideal for a leisurely outing with a dog. History of the Mill Brook Preserve

The Mill Brook Preserve, managed by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, is part of a larger effort to protect local land and waterways. The preserve itself follows the course of the Mill Brook, a tributary of the Wallkill River. The area has a history of industrial use, with remnants of old dams or foundations visible along the waterway. These structures are likely tied to the area's past, when water power from the brook was used to run mills.

Today, the land has been reclaimed by nature and serves as a vital green space for the community, providing a habitat for local wildlife and a recreational resource for residents...

Hidden gem in New Paltz.

You're instantly surrounded by nature; the sounds of birds and running water, vast, hilly land, lots of trees, well paved trails. Easy hike, will return. This is an amazing place to be so close to Main St and so natural. There were a lot of people, given it was sunny and a Sunday. Perfect local...

This is a very great place to walk around nature peacefully. I never thought I would recall that moment, but I feel that this is also excellent to walk around with a friend. Also, this very therapeutic walk of nature in New Paltz helps me stay calm. I would like to go there...