Beat The Heat! Shady Hikes At Rockefeller State Park Preserve

A gravel path curves through a dense green forest, with tall trees and thick undergrowth on both sides. A blue trail marker is visible on the left.

I just looked at next week’s weather forecast for Pleasantville, NY, and the temperatures will be approaching 100 degrees! I like to visit Rockefeller State Park Preserve often, and on hot sunny days, I stick to the shaded trails as much as possible. Fortunately, the park has plenty of shade for hikers who want to venture out on hot sunny days! These are my favorite shady trails after hiking in the park weekly for several years. Try them on your next trip there when the temperatures get hot.

A topographic trail map with a red route line showing a looping hike through wooded terrain, crossing Phelps Way and passing locations like Glacial Erratic and Visitor Parking.

Shady Hike #1 at Rockefeller State Park Preserve

This hike has a lot of shade and runs along the Potantico River and several streams, making it enjoyable.

Distance: 4.1 Miles
Elevation Gain: 354 ft

Nature’s Way is a trail accessible directly from the parking lot with a lot of shade. Head down this trail and make a short detour to the Glacial Erratic trail. Head back and continue to the Old Sleepy Hollow Road trail, crossing Sleepy Hollow Road. Continue and cross the bridge over the Potantico River, then make a right on the Potantico River trail. Continue on this trail until you reach the Thirteen Bridges trail and make a right. Continue on the Thirteen Bridges trail until you reach the Witches Spring trail and make a right. Head to the Spook Rock trail and make a right. Continue on the Spook Rock trail until you reach the Big Tree Trail and make a left. Continue on Big Tree until you get to the Potantico River trail and make a right over the bridge. Head down the Potantico River Trail to the Gory Brook trail and make a left heading over the bridge. Continue on the Gory Brook trail until you reach the Old Sleepy Hollow trail. Continue on the Old Sleepy Hollow trail back to the parking lot. You can also head back up the Nature’s Way trail (on the left) to the parking lot.

You can download a PDF map of the hike here.

You can download a GPX file of the hike here to open in AllTrails.

A trail map shows a red-marked hiking route looping around Swan Lake and nearby forest paths in a park, with labels for paths, elevation lines, and parking.

Shady Hike #2 at Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Distance: 3.8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 325 ft

This hike goes around Swan Lake, then heads up a hill to the Stone Barnds section of the park.

Head from the parking lot past the park office to the Brother’s Path at Swan Lake and turn right. Follow the Brother’s Path around the lake until you reach the Ridge Trail and turn right. Follow the Ridge Trail to the Simental Trail and turn right. Continue on the Simental Trail until you reach the Brook Trail and turn right. Follow the Brook Trail back down the hill (one of my favorite parts of the park) until you get to the Old Railroad Bed trail, then turn right. Turn right on the Old Railroad Bed trail to the Peaceful Path trail. Continue on the Peaceful Path trail to Brothers Path and cross over the dam at the end of Swan Lake. From there, turn right on the Deer Run trail. Follow that around until you return to Brother’s Path adjacent to the Information Kiosk. Turn right and head back to the Parking Lot.

You can download a PDF map of the hike here.

You can download a GPX file of the hike here to open in AllTrails.

A person wearing a backpack and holding a water bottle wipes sweat from their forehead while outdoors, with green trees in the background.

 

Hot Weather Hiking Tips

Be sure to prepare for warm-weather hiking, even if you are going on a short hike on shady trails!

  • Start your hike early in the day when the temperature is cooler and the sunlight is less direct
  • Wear sun protective clothing that is lightweight and wicks moisture from your skin, not cotton.
  • Use sunscreen
  • Be sure to bring water and stay hydrated
  • Please don’t overdo it! If you start feeling unwell, then stop and rest or discontinue the hike

 

 

Here are some other links you may find helpful!

Best Trails for Birds at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY

Suggested Bird Photo Hike at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY