Rocky’s 5K, Rockefeller State Park: This scenic course on well-maintained carriage trails through Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a runner’s paradise. You’ll find it right off Rt. 117 just past Pace College. It begins near the main parking lot and follows the scenic 13 Bridges and Gory trails. There isn’t a prettier place to run in our area. Best of all, your admission fee supports the park’s trail maintenance program.

More about the park

Northern Westchester hosts a variety of great hiking trails and back to nature experiences. Most notably Ward Pound Ridge Reservation,  Greenwich Audubon and Westmoreland Sanctuary. But none measure up to the pristine beauty of Rockefeller State Park and its 25 miles of trails winding through 1400 bucolic acres.

The Rockefeller family deeded the preserve to the New York State Office of Parks in 1983. Since then they have safeguard the natural beauty and wildlife of these lands. The paths were originally designed as horse and buggy carriage trails for the Rockefeller’s. They wind through forested hills and valleys and a pastoral landscape of hayfields and meadows in the Pocantico River watershed.

They are now ideal for strolling, jogging, horseback riding, hiking and cross-country skiing. In fact, the trails regularly attracts high school cross country teams who train in the park. You can even safely take an off-road stroller on these paths.

With 180-recorded species of birds, Rockefeller State Park Preserve has received IBA (Important Bird Area) designation by the National Audubon Society. Consequently the park also attracts birders from far and wide. Similarly licensed anglers descend on the park, where they can fish for bass in the 22-acre Swan Lake and for brown trout in the Pocantico River.

Read our Bucket List: Rockefeller State Park for more about this amazing park.

The park also hosts the Rockwood Ramble, a 10 K in early June.