WELCOME TO
WARD POUND RIDGE
RESERVATION
This 4,700-acre Reservation is
Westchester
County's largest and one of its most beautiful parks.
It was purchased in 1924 and set aside as a sanctuary
for wildlife and as a recreational and educational area.
PICNICKING
Picnic areas are equipped with charcoal grills or
fireplaces, picnic tables, running water and toilets.
No electricity is available. Firewood is not
furnished. Groups of 26 or more persons are
required to make an advance reservation by calling (914)
864-7075.
CAMPING
Year-round camping is available in open-face lean-tos.
Sleeping capacity is limited to eight persons per
shelter. Non-potable water and toilets are nearby
and each shelter has an outside grill or fireplace for
cooking and a picnic table. No trailer or
recreational vehicle camping is permitted. A
maximum of two tents per shelter is allowed. Open
tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served
basis in the upper Kimberly Bridge area.
Permits for using shelters and tent
sites, available to adults 21 years old or over, are
issued at the park superintendent's office. Two
cars are permitted per shelter/site; additional
visitors' cars pay applicable parking fees.
|
|
Camping
(payable at registration): |
|
|
Lean-to (11 a.m. to 11 a.m.) |
|
|
with
Westchester County Park Pass |
$25 |
|
without Park Pass |
$35 |
|
Tent Rates (payable at registration): |
|
|
Overnight (10 a.m. to 10 a.m.) |
|
With Westchester
County Park Pass |
$15 |
|
without Park Pass |
$25 |
|
Campers who wish to make advance
reservation must do so at least three weeks prior to
their visit, all other reservations must be made in
person at the park office. Call (914)864-7317 for
reservations. Permits are not transferable and
fees are non-refundable.
Occupants of shelters and tent sites
will be held responsible for any damage to shelters and
facilities. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in
shelters or tent sites.
HIKING TRAILS
The reservation features 35 miles hiking trails,
including several self-guided nature trails.
Pamphlets describing the nature trails and topographical
maps are available at Trailside Nature Museum, located
within the park.
HORSEBACK RIDING
All trails may be used for horseback riding. Horse
vans or horse-drawn carriages must park at the Meadow
parking lot or behind shelter #5. (See Map) Horses
may not be ridden on paved roads. No horses are
available for hire.
| Fees: |
|
| Per Horse Trailer and Towing Vehicle |
|
| with Park Pass |
$5 |
| without Park Pass |
$10 |
|
|
| Per Horse and Carriage |
|
| with park Pass |
$5 |
| without Park Pass |
$10 |
| |
WINTER ACTIVITIES:
An extensive system of five-, three-, and two-mile
trails is available for cross country skiing.
Skiing is also permitted on open slopes. There are
no ski tows. Trails begin at the end of Michigan
Road near shelter #5 (see map).
Sledding is permitted in designated areas.
THE TRAILSIDE NATURE MUSEUM
The museum exhibits specimen birds, mammals, reptiles,
insects, minerals, American Indian artifacts, and houses
the Delaware Indian Resource Center. Nature
interpretive programs are offered weekly.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday,
9 a.m. to p.m.; school and group
visits are available by appointment. Call
(914)864-7322.
WILDFLOWER GARDEN
The 1/2 acre Luquer-Marble Memorial Wildflower Garden
located near the Trailside Nature Museum, contains over
100 kinds of wildflowers. (See map)
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are
not allowed in the garden.
|
PARKING/ENTRANCE FEES |
| Passenger cars, motorcycles, and
vans |
|
| with Park Pass |
$4.00 |
| without Park Pass |
$8.00 |
| Senior Citizens* |
$1.00 |
| Mini-bus (10 passenger
maximum) |
$15.00 |
| Buses |
$35.00 |
|
*Weekdays only, with a Westchester
County Senior Citizen ID card.
RULES
-
A carry-in/out policy is in effect
for litter and garbage.
-
Dogs must be leashed at all times.
-
No bicycles or motorized vehicles
allowed on trails.
-
Keg beer permitted only in reserved
picnic area. Permit required.
-
Fishing permitted only in Cross
River; New York State fishing license required.
-
All minerals, animals, and plants
are protected and are not to be removed.
-
Possession of firearms, air-powered
weapons, bows, arrows, slingshots, etc. is
prohibited.
-
No hunting or trapping.
-
No fires allowed except in
designated places in camping and picnic areas.
-
No fuel-powered model planes or
gliders.
-
No hang gliding.
-
Possession of fireworks prohibited
by New York State law.
-
No swimming permitted.
The park is open year round from 8
a.m. to dusk except to campers occupying shelters
overnight. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LOCATION
The reservation entrance is near the junction of
Routes 35 and 121 south in Cross River. Accessible
from Hutchinson, Bronx River, Sprain Brook and Saw Mill
River parkways, and Route I-684, I-287 and 22.
Mailing address:
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Box 461
Cross River, New York 10518
Click to enlarge map 
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Joseph A. Stout, Commissioner
