Sterling Forest State Park

Sterling Forest Park is filled with beautiful natural features and a web of great trails including the Appalachian trail. The visitor center is situated on Sterling Lake. Inside there is a large model of the park. You can select buttons that light up the trails on the model. The park rangers are very helpful in planning a hike. I chose to hike up to the fire tower which you can climb and enjoy an unobstructed view of the surrounding area. I highly recommend downloading the free «pdf maps app» and downloading the free pdf map of Sterling Forest. Turn your phone on airplane mode to save battery because there’s little cell phone service but your GPS will still work and show your position on the map.

Great hike.
1) We did a circuit through the giant furnace, ruins, fire-​tower and Bear Rock Point overlook.
2) The area is beautiful and a great hike for all levels.
3) Will be back.

!!! ALARM CLOCK — Yay to pre-​recorded sounds of birds chirping !!!
my droool has seeped & soaked deep into my fluffy faux goose-​feather pillow.
It’s Sunday morning. I erect myself up! I resound that it’s time to get myself lost in a hike. A Solo Hike!!!
I thumbed letters into my ipad for a great, exciting, safe adventure.
«Sterling State Park, Indian Hill Loop»
I drove up to the parking lot at 9am. There was one other car there, it’s tires seemed low on oxygen…
Half an hour into my hike, as I stopped swirling and twirling my hair, I noticed that there was nothing else flowing into my ears., but deadening silence.
Birds stopped chirping, crickets stopped hissing, water stopped moving., You begin to think…, why am I the only thing that is moving and making noise?
ps: If you like solo hikes, you’ll like this trail.
pps: I almost got killed by a snake!

On of the best hikes a beginner should take beautiful lake and semi tough trail. It takes about 2 – 3 hours complete.

Been going hunting there for the past 5 years. Shot my first deer there this past fall. Luv it here

Sterling Forest State Park is just about 50 miles outside New York City in Tuxedo Park. It is a fantastic place to getaway to from the city and enjoy a nice day of hiking in the mountains. When you arrive, stop in the park office to grab some trail maps and take a look around to check out the maps of the park. There are so so so many hiking trails that range in how long you want to hike for and how hard the trail is. I hiked up the Fire Tower Trail and looped around which ended up being about 4.2 miles. The hiking is tough at some parts when it gets steep up hill. But the views are beautiful and the trails are all clearly marked so you stay on track — even after being hit by Hurricane Sandy. Get to the top of the Fire Tower Trail and you will find a fire tower that is about 8 stories up. If you are brave enough, venture up the fire tower for 360 degree views. It is a scary climb but it would be well worth it (I only got up about 4 stories).
I will definitely be back here to explore other miles long hiking trails.