Preserves & Trails

For an in-depth look at all the open spaces that Clifton Park has to offer,
please visit our Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Advisory Committee webpages:

Open Spaces website

Open Spaces, Trails & Riverfront Advisory Committee website

Geology Walks - Travel through geologic time by experiencing what is visible on walking trails near the river. Prepared by Katherine Johnson as part of a Girl Scout Silver Award project for Troop 2158. Click here for brochure.

Town of Clifton Park Trails Map
- A comprehensive map of all the parks, trails, and preserves that Clifton Park has to offer!
  - Click here for map

Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve
- 250 acreas nature preserve area to be established between Pierce & Kinns Roads. This 250-acre nature preserve area has a wide range of wetlands and woodlands and the confluence of 3 streams. Fishing trail access on north side of Dwaas Kill. Rugged, uneven terrain for hikers.
  - Click here for map

Garnsey Park
- A beautiful 151 acre parkland with hills, meadows and wetlands, can be explored via a nature trail through meadows and woods. Small unpaved parking lot is near the trailhead kiosk.
  - Click here for map

Hayes Nature Park
- More than a mile of ADA-accessible trails run along this 48-acre parcel off of Moe Road near Thoroughbred Way and Liberty Way.
  - Click here for map
  - Click here to view a Hayes Nature Park Wildflower Field Guide, prepared by Clifton Park naturalist David Behm

Kinns Road Park
- Kinns Road Park is about 64 acres owned and maintained by the Town of Clifton Park, with another 32 acres of adjoining lands owned by the Town of Clifton Park that have been acquired through the creation of park land in subdivisions and from Saratoga P.L.A.N. The park is centrally located off of Kinns Road, immediately east of Nottingham Way North, and just west of Carlton Road. The town park offers beautiful wooded trails — many of which connect to the adjoining neighborhoods — used year-round by walkers, hikers and orienteers. During the winter, some of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. This is a dog-friendly park, but all dogs must have a current dog permit obtained from the Town of Clifton Park Town Clerk (click here). A stream is located south of the park on the trail that leads to Sherwood Forest. The original 64 acres comprised a forest plantation owned by Saratoga County as a county forest, prior to being conveyed in 2017 to the Town of Clifton Park.
  - Click here for map
  - Spring Videos of Kinns Road Park - Click here for videos of 14 trails and what you would experience in Spring at Kinns Road Park.
  - Fall Videos of Kinns Road Park Videos - Click here for videos of 14 trails and what you would experience in Fall at Kinns Road Park.

Mohawk Landing
- On Riverview Road, next to Riverview Orchards. Offers parking space with kayak/canoe access to the Mohawk River.
  - Click here to view a Mohawk Landing Wildflower Field Guide, prepared by Clifton Park naturalist David Behm
  - Click here for map

North Woods Preserve
- 80 acres, off of south side of Shadow Wood Way, former village of Round Lake reservoir, woodlands area, previous unmarked trails with town trail access in future development. Click here to view a trail and features map.
  - Click here for map
Robert Van Patten Memorial Trail
- 1.6 mile long Multi-Use trial connects Ushers Road trial to the intersection of Van Patten Drive and Carlton Road.
Town Center Park
- 0.5 mile (one way) paved, ADA-accessible trail, from Maxwell Dr to Moe Road. Phase 1 includes parking areas on Maxwell Dr (across from Staples and Druthers) and at 499 Moe Road (across from Shenendehowa Campus entrance). Phase 2 on this 37 acre park to begin soon!
  - Click here for map

Veterans Memorial Park & Mooney Carrese Forest
- Located on MacElroy Road, this 141-acre park provides softball fields, a pavilion, and informal walking paths. Beautiful wetlands behind ballpark. A new hiking trail extends to the Mooney Carrese Forest..
  - Click here for map
Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve
- Offers hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, birding and nature walks. Trails are maintained. Open year-round sunrise to sunset.
- Click here for map
- Click here to view a Vicher Ferry Wildflower Field Guide, prepared by Clifton Park naturalist David Behm.

William K. Collins, Jr. Park
- Located near the intersection with NYS Route 146, this park provides a ball field, playground, nature trail, picnic areas, volleyball net, pavilion and “open space” areas for a variety of sporting activities and family gatherings.
  - Click here for map

The Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve in Clifton Park will be officially closed to recreational users but open for duck hunters in designated areas for one week in October. Hunters must register prior to entering the preserve in the Clifton Park Town Clerk's Office located at the corner of Clifton Park Center & Vischer Ferry Roads, showing hunter's and driver's licenses, duck stamp and car registration. The Town Clerk also has maps of the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve including the No-Hunting Zones. Click here for map

Update 6/8/23: After the issues with the previous contractor the Town embarked on a very quick planning and procurement process following the destruction of the trail. A request for bids went out and the Town received no bids for the trail reconstruction project. A new bid process will commence immediately.

Update 5/12/23: The Town Board has been working to repave the trails that connect neighborhoods such as The Oaks, Summerhill, Addison Estates and Settlers Hill in recent years. All of the trails have been successfully repaved except for the trail connecting Miller Road to Wallflower Drive. Due to some difficulty experienced by the contractor while performing the work, this section of trail will require extensive repairs. Therefore, we have closed the trail until the repairs are completed. Town personnel are reviewing the situation and a plan of action to complete the repairs is being devised. Thank you for your patience.