Queens, New York

Top Spots in and near Queens

  • Kings Park, New York

    Kayaking the Nissequogue River

    5.0
    Starting on the banks of Nissequogue River State Park, this 6 mile journey makes you feel like you’re cruising down river in the south, when you’re really on Long Island. I really suggest going as high tide is rolling in as there can be some shallow sections along this trip. Head out into the ope...
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  • Bloomingdale, New Jersey

    Norvin Green State Forest Loop

    5.0
    8.01 mi / 1538.26 ft gain
    Norvin Green State Forest is one of the best-kept secrets in the New Jersey Highlands — a rugged, rewarding stretch of the Ramapo Mountains that rewards hikers with rocky summits, cascading waterfalls, stream crossings, and sweeping ridge views. The 8-mile loop with 1,538 feet of elevation gain i...
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  • Ringwood, New Jersey

    Ringwood Manor Trail

    5.0
    3.06 mi / 381.01 ft gain
    On my way to the drive-in, I saw a sign for Ringwood Manor estate and wanted to adventure around. The parking is easy and the property was beautiful! As we walked through the estate, we found: a quaint tree foresta small cemetery with headstones hundreds of years olda river with a small waterf...
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  • Rockaway, New Jersey

    Hike the Timberbrook Pond - Riley's Rise Loop

    5 mi / 500 ft gain
    The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn...
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  • Tuxedo Park, New York

    Backpack Harriman State Park

    4.6
    18 mi / 1200 ft gain
    While the first day is a bit longer and less exciting in terms of frequent landmarks, its a relaxing hike through rocky, wooded, forest among bountiful blueberry bushes and the occasional raspberry bush. Enjoy the isolation on this leg. The second day is packed with frequent and beautiful landmar...
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  • Jefferson, New Jersey

    Thru Hike the Four Birds Trail

    19 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...
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  • Pound Ridge, New York

    Leatherman's Loop

    1.25 mi / 1183 ft gain
    This loop trail is moderately rated and reaches a total elevation gain of approximately 1,183 feet. It’s located in the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, which spans roughly 4,315 acres. It is Westchester County’s largest park and includes roughly 35 plus miles of hiking trails to explore. The Ward...
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  • 89 Van Orden Road, New Jersey

    Hike the Hank's Pond Loop

    7 mi / 500 ft gain
    Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...
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  • Tuxedo Park, New York

    Sterling Lake & Fire Tower Loop

    5.0
    7.54 mi / 1239.06 ft gain
    Start out by turning right when you walk out of the visitor center onto Sterling Lake Loop (Blue Blazes). The visitor center is worth going in as they have a full diorama of the park with LED light to show trail routes. About .3 miles into the hike you will cross over a small bridge with a waterf...
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  • West Milford, New Jersey

    Hike the Terrace Pond North - South Loop

    10.7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn ri...
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  • Point Pleasant, New Jersey

    Kayak to Herring Island

    Starting at the small beach at the end of Bay Blvd, paddle heading south. You will need to pass through the boat canal so keep an eye out for speeding boats. You're able to see the island from the starting point so you really don’t have to worry about getting lost. You will reach the island after...
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  • Cortlandt, New York

    Camp Smith Trail

    4.0
    5.92 mi / 1759 ft gain
    This approximately 3-hour hike borders the Hudson River, and is one of the best in Westchester County. Start off at the parking area at the Bear Mountain Tollhouse, or at a small parking area farther up Bear Mountain Road, if you want a slightly shorter hike. The trail is fairly steep in places, ...
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  • West Milford, New Jersey

    Bearfort Mountain Loop

    5.0
    5.06 mi / 1007 ft gain
    Bearfort Mountain is a great weekend morning hike that borders NJ and NY. Parking can be tricky as the entrance to the lot looks like it is Greenwood Lake Marina's boat storage area. Once parked, find the trail entrance at the top of the little hill and continue to the blue on white marked trail....
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  • Patchogue, New York

    Fire Island's Watch Hill

    4.0
    2 mi
    If departing from NYC, catch the early LIRR train from Penn Station (or Atlantic Terminal) towards Patchogue. You may have to transfer at both Jamaica & Babylon, but it's an easy hop across the platform. Trip will take approximately an hour and a half and cost around $15, Off Peak, each way. ...
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  • Bear Mountain, New York

    Hike Bald Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park

    4.7
    6.8 mi / 1080 ft gain
    From your starting point at the Bear Mountain Inn, go left along the Cornell Mine Trail. (This part can be a bit confusing, but go past the carousel to a shaded picnic area; that is where the trail starts.) You will go under a bridge and follow the trail until it takes a sharp left and descends t...
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  • Philipstown, New York

    Anthony's Nose via Appalachian Trail

    4.6
    1.95 mi / 682 ft gain
    Parking for the trail runs along both sides of 9D right up until the Bear Mountain Bridge. It can be busy on the weekends so just make sure you're as far off the road as you can and be especially careful unloading kids and dogs. The trailhead is located at approximately 41.322571, -73.975949 and ...
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