Looking for a scenic hiking spot near Woodstock? The Sloan Gorge Preserve offers easy trails and stunning views, perfect for families and new hikers. Explore the gorge, streams, and rock formations, then enjoy Woodstock’s artsy vibe and local eateries. A must-visit for nature lovers!

If you're looking for a great hiking spot in the Catskills near Woodstock, the Sloan Gorge Preserve in Woodstock is a great spot to visit. Just a short drive from the heart of Woodstock, this beautiful spot offers some awesome trails that let you escape quickly into nature.

The Preserve hosts two loop trails, the Quarry Loop Trail and the Sloan Gorge Loop Trail. All told there’s just over a mile and a half of trails on the Sloan Preserve, making it a great spot for families to enjoy a walk, or for anyone in Woodstock looking for a quick and easy outdoors adventure.

The Sloan Gorge Preserve is accessible from the parking area and trailhead located at 487 Stoll Road in Saugerties. The parking area and trailhead has an informational kiosk and maps and brochures are available to help you on your hike of the area. There are no restrooms or port-a-johns available. In addition should the parking area be full, there is no on-street parking.

On our visit, we started with the Quarry Loop, then took the Sloan Gorge Loop - which gave us the opportunity to see all that the Preserve has to offer. Along the way we saw the remnants of the stone quarry that was active in the late 1800s, some amazing examples of Catskills geology, and then traversed the Sloan Gorge and its unique natural features, including some places where you get to crawl through the rocks, before heading back to the parking area.

Trail Description: Beginning at the parking area and trailhead on Stoll Road, we quickly came to the intersection between the Quarry Loop and the Gorge Loop. We turned left onto the Gorge Loop and followed that trail through the old bluestone quarry on site. As we returned to the start of the loop, we continued on the Sloan Gorge loop, crossing some gentle terrain before entering into the gorge.

The gorge itself is not difficult to traverse, but it can be wet and muddy in places and there are a few spots where rock hopping is necessary as you go through areas where rocks have tumbled down the sides of the gorge. About halfway through the gorge, there’s a short side trail that takes you through a narrow split in the rocks, which ends in a spot where you’ll need to crawl under the rocks before reconnecting with the main trail.

As the gorge gets wetter with more standing water, the trail leaves the gorge and ascends onto its southern side. From there the trail makes its way back to the original intersection just before the parking area and trailhead, which once there, you’ll take the short access trail to the parking lot.

All of the trails are easy to follow and not difficult to walk, making it a great choice for families or anyone new to Catskills hiking.

Trail Details:

Easy
Approximately 1.5 miles loop walk.
Approximately 100 feet of elevation gain.

After your hike at the Sloan Gorge Preserve, you can explore Woodstock itself, with its artsy vibe, cool shops, and cozy spots to grab a bite to eat or some coffee to drink. Whether you're just looking to enjoy nature or want to make a day of it, the Sloan Gorge Preserve is a perfect stop in the Woodstock area.

The Sloan Gorge Preserve is owned and managed by the Woodstock Land Conservancy, a local land trust that is dedicated to protecting natural spaces in and around the Woodstock area of the Catskills.

For More Information

You can find out more about this hike and the Sloan Gorge Preserve here:

Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center (5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper) on the Web, Facebook, Instagram, and in person.

Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

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Our Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations

Gear we used on this hike:

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Important Hiking Considerations:

Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.