Black Creek Preserve Trail, Black Creek Preserve, New York

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, fishing LENGTH OF HIKE: 2 miles OUT AND BACK OR LOOP: Loop DIFFICULTY OF TERRAIN: Easy ELEVATION GAIN: 440 feet PARKING FEE/PASS: No TOILETS: No CHANGING TABLE: No NURSING BENCHES: No BIKES/HORSES/MOTORS ON TRAIL: Yes CELL RECEPTION: Yes DRINKING WATER AVAILABLE: No POTENTIAL CHILD OR BABY HAZARDS: Ticks, bugs in the spring after lots of rain GEAR SUGGESTIONS: Bug spray, water Fantastic Hudson River views, an easy trail for toddlers, and pockets of silence are just a few of the reasons the 130-acre Black Creek Preserve is so popular for Hike it Baby members. While 2 miles may seem like a short hike, there’s a lot of terrain variety as well as shady spots to hang out in and make the hike seem longer. Look for old stone walls, a reminder that this was once a farming area for early settlers, now overgrown as the park takes the land back. This area was protected and developed in 1992 to create a space that would allow urban dwellers to experience the shore of the Hudson River in a more natural state. To hike this trail, look for a kiosk at the end of the parking area, and follow signs from there to the yellow-blazed Black Creek Trail and hike along the creek. Soon after you start hiking, the trail will cross a 120-foot suspension bridge that most kids love. Across the creek, expect some switchbacks, and then eventually the path will flatten out. You’ll pass vernal pools, seasonal breeding grounds where frogs lay their eggs, so make sure to point that out to your little ones. What makes this a pleasant hike is the combination of hiking through hemlock forests and open spaces, with a bubbling, gurgling creek running throughout. Head down to the water and you’ll enjoy large bluestone slate rocks that are easy to climb around. A few things to watch out for are ticks in the warm season and the fact that this trail can get buggy in the spring after lots of rain. Also, thick muddy trails are to be expected in shoulder seasons, so wear good hiking shoes. The hike ends at the Hudson River, and there are small rock beaches that you can climb down to, but doing this will require supervision for children. At high tide, there are no rock beaches. INSIDER’S TIP Summer and fall are the best times to visit. Dry summer weather means fewer bugs, and full-leaved trees mean shaded trails. In the winter, steep sections can be dangerous due to ice, so this is a better trail for families in less “weathery” months. At the end of the hike, dip your toes into Black Creek where there are often people fishing.