3d Bush

[Salomon Thoj]

WELCOMETO THE ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE. Located between the majestic Catskill and Adirondack mountains, this 3,350 acre preserve offers visitors an experience rich in geological, natural and cultural history. Known for its gently rolling sand-dunes, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. Visitors young and old are invited to venture into the preserve or explore the Discovery Center where learning comes naturally through hands-on activities.

The preserve contains nearly 20 miles of official marked, multiple-use trails. Most trails are considered easy to moderate and vary from wide open sandy trails to narrow, grassy woodland passages. The topography is generally flat with gradual slopes up and down the natural sand dunes.

In the spring, summer and fall the Pine Bush can be very hot and dry. Remember to bring your drinking water and sunscreen. In the winter trails can get icy. Snowshoes or cramp-ons are a good idea at these times.

Become part of a community of friends that protect the unique habitat at the Albany Pine Bush. Friends of the Pine Bush Community help people get out to enjoy nature and seize opportunities to participate in local learning and scientific research.

MORE info about joining and donating Click here

We cannot provide a specific schedule for prescribed fires in a given area due to the unpredictability of weather and fuel conditions. If you would like to be notified the morning of a prescribed fire, please subscribe below.

For more information about prescribed fire please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/prescribedfire.

On that page you will see links to sign up for notification alerts or leave feedback at the bottom of the page. People can sign up to get email notifications through either of these links.

The Kings Highway Barrens, at trailhead #9, is temporarily CLOSED while habitat restoration work is being completed. This site was cleared of invasive black locust trees in early 2024. Next the site will be stumped, graded and then planted with native pine barrens plants. This is the first phase of restoring these 38 acres back to a pine barrens. Please view the interactive trail map to see the tree removal locations as well as other preserve areas you can visit during this time.

Click here if you need a mobile friendly version of our trailmap.

Please contact Stewardship Director, Joel Hecht with any questions or concerns. 518-456-0655 or jhe...@albanypinebush.org

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