Input wanted for new state forest in Dutchess
More than 500 acres of land along the Appalachian Trail corridor in eastern Dutchess County is now one of New York’s newest state forests, though it currently doesn’t have any official trails or parking areas.
Grape Hollow State Forest, located in the towns of Beekman and Pawling, features a mix of upland forests, fields and vernal pools. The land not only provides safeguards for critical wildlife habitat in a “rapidly developing area,” according to according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, but it also provides a “natural buffer for the iconic Appalachian Trail, enhancing the the trail experience for over 3 million annual visitors.”
While Grape Hollow State Forest was first established as a year-round, multi-use area in 2024, with hiking as its primary activity, there are currently no marked trails, only old roads and footpaths providing “informal day hikes,” according to the DEC. Parking is currently only accessible via roadside pull-offs.
A public information session will take place on January 20, 2026 from 6 to 9pm at the Town of Beekman Recreation Center (29 Recreation Center Road, Hopewell Junction) for community input on the types of use allowed in the new forest, as well as infrastructure development of the site, including formal parking lots and trail signage. The meeting will include a short presentation by DEC Region 3 Division of Lands and Forests, followed by an open table session with DEC staff to facilitate conversation and answer questions.
Event link: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/events/2026/1/grape-hollow-state-forest-public-information-session
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