interstitialRedirectModalTitle

interstitialRedirectModalMessage

interstitialRedirectModalRedirectCTA
interstitialRedirectModalDismissCTA
Skip to content

Places We Protect

The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve

New York

Two monarch butterflies perched on yellow plants.
Eugene & Agnes Meyer Preserve Butterflies at our Eugene & Agnes Meyer Preserve in New York. © Marcela Medina/TNC

Explore rugged outcrops and wildflower meadows.

Viewing

Overview

Description

PLEASE NOTE: The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve is open during hunting season to bow hunting only. Written permission is required to hunt on TNC lands. To learn about our hunting program or to obtain permission to hunt, please visit our New York hunting information page.

This diverse preserve combines two distinct parcels containing a variety of geologic forms and an exceptional concentration of vernal pools. In the rugged east parcel, deciduous forest, hemlock stands and mountain laurel thickets crown rocky outcrops, and steep cliffs rim Byram Lake Reservoir. In the western parcel, native grasses and wildflowers blanket several meadows that provide excellent habitat for mammals, birds, and insects. A number of reptile and amphibian species thrive in the streams and red maple swamps throughout both parcels.

This preserve was donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1973 by the Meyer Foundation. The Nature Conservancy acquired 16 additional acres of swamp in 1978.

Meyer Preserve is a favorite venue for field trips among educators and researchers. Local school groups monitor and maintain a number of bluebird boxes in the meadows. Botanical clubs document and monitor occurrences of rare plants, and geology classes often visit the preserve to examine its exceptional display of glacial influence.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Size

247 acres

Explore our work in New York

This 250-acre preserve is located in North Castle and New Castle, Westchester County, New York. There are two separate trailheads, known as the "East Parcel" on Oregon Rd. and the "West Parcel" on Sarles St. Both trailheads have a small parking area. Cell reception is not reliable at either trailhead or within the Preserve.

There are more than 6.5 miles of color-coded trails that range from steep and narrow trails through boulder fields to mowed paths through fields to wide abandoned roads.

In the East Parcel, discover pockets of very old and large beech trees and hemlocks, a red maple swamp, and oak-hickory forests. Hike alongside a rushing stream and through boulder fields left behind by the glaciers of the past. You may see wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, purple trillium, toothwort, false Solomon's seal, bloodroot, and cardinal flower.

In the West Parcel, enjoy flatter trails through open fields that meander along the forest's edge. You may see wildflowers such as butterfly milkweed, goldenrod species, and black-eyed Susan in bloom during the summer months.

Throughout the preserve, look and listen for birds such as wood thrushes, red-bellied woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, veeries, worm-eating warblers, magnolia warblers, yellow-throated vireos, Baltimore orioles, blue-winged warblers, black-and-white warblers, Louisiana waterthrushes and bay-breasted warblers.

Trail Map

DOWNLOAD

Plan ahead and prepare for your hike at the Meyer Preserve. Start by looking at our Trail Map. There are 6 different main trails and 1 connector trail to choose from. Together, they total about 6.5 miles. Please note that all mileages listed are one-way distances. Here’s what to expect when you hit the trails:

Trails

East Parcel

  • The Red Trail is a moderate hike and is marked with red paint blazes. The trail is 1.9 miles long and begins at the East Parcel trailhead at Oregon Road. The trail can be hiked as a loop around the preserve. It also connects with the Yellow Trail if you are walking from the West Parcel. It is a natural soil surface trail that meanders through a swamp teeming with native flora and fauna, parallels a flowing stream, and continues through a deciduous-hemlock forest with rugged boulder fields. The trail includes views of Byram Lake Reservoir to the east. Expect 378 feet of elevation gain and a typical trail width of 33 inches; at its narrowest, the trail is 17 inches wide. The typical grade (incline) is 9.5%, with a maximum grade of 40.5% and a typical cross slope (the incline across the trail) of 5.1%. Expect small natural stream crossings, some areas of more dense plant growth, and some obstructions, such as rocks, roots and fallen trees.

  • The Blue Trail is a moderate hike and is marked with blue paint blazes. The trail is 0.5 miles long and can be accessed via the Red Trail in a few locations. This trail can be used to make a shorter loop if desired. It is a natural soil surface trail that passes through a deciduous-hemlock forest with rugged boulder fields. Expect 330 feet of elevation gain and a typical trail width of 37 inches; at its narrowest, the trail is 16 inches wide. The typical grade (incline) is 6.9%, with a maximum grade of 28.3% and a typical cross slope (the incline across the trail) of 4.4%. (By comparison, an easy trail usually has less than a 5% incline, a maximum grade of 15% and a cross slope of 0). Expect small natural stream crossings, and some obstructions, such as rocks, roots and fallen trees.

  • The Yellow Loop is a moderate hike and is marked with yellow blazes. The loop is 1.0 mile long and can be accessed via the Red Trail. It can also be accessed from the Walking Trail if you are hiking in from the West Parcel or from Oregon Rd. It is a natural soil surface trail that passes through rugged rocky outcrops, deciduous forest, and a few small creeks. Expect 300 feet of elevation gain and a typical trail width of 27 inches; at its narrowest, the trail is 15 inches wide. The typical grade (incline) is 12.5%, with a maximum grade of 44% and a typical cross slope (the incline across the trail) of 6.5%. Expect some areas of more dense plant growth and some natural obstructions, such as rocks, roots and fallen trees.

West Parcel

  • The Red Trail is an easy hike. The trail is 1.7 miles long and begins at the West Parcel trailhead on Sarles St. The trail begins parallel to a flowing stream and continues on through a series of fields, meandering occasionally into the edge of the forest. The trail’s surface is mowed grass. Since there are not many trees, you won’t see as many painted blazes on this trail. Instead, there are directional signs installed on posts to help with navigation. Expect 250 feet of elevation gain and a typical trail width of 60 inches; at its narrowest, the trail is 30 inches wide. The typical grade (incline) is 6%, with a maximum grade of 15% and a typical cross slope (the incline across the trail) of 4%. Expect minimal obstructions, such as rocks, roots and fallen trees.

  • The Walking Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike. The trail is 0.9 miles long and begins at the West Parcel trailhead on Sarles St. The Walking Trail can also be accessed at the end of Oregon Rd. It serves as a connecting trail between the East and West Parcels of Meyer Preserve. Expect 180 feet of elevation gain and a typical trail width of 60 inches; at its narrowest, the trail is 20 inches wide. The typical grade (incline) is 5%, with a maximum grade of 20% and a typical cross slope (the incline across the trail) of 3%. The trail is an old road, so it is composed of gravel mixed with firm soil. Expect minimal obstructions, such as rocks, roots and fallen trees. Please note that the Walking Trail borders private property, so be sure to stay on the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve is open year-round from dawn until dusk.

  • Free parking is available at both entrances to the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve. The East Parcel has a parking area for 3 cars on Oregon Rd. The West Parcel has a parking area for 4 cars on Sarles St. directly across from Bretton Ridge Road.

  • In the East Parcel, discover pockets of very old and large beech trees and hemlocks, a red maple swamp, and oak-hickory forests. Hike alongside a rushing stream and through boulder fields left behind by the glaciers of the past. You may see wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, purple trillium, toothwort, false Solomon's seal, bloodroot, and cardinal flower.

    In the West Parcel, enjoy flatter trails through open fields that meander along the forest's edge. You may see wildflowers such as butterfly milkweed, goldenrod species, and black-eyed Susan in bloom during the summer months.

    Throughout the preserve, look and listen for birds such as wood thrushes, red-bellied woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, veeries, worm-eating warblers, magnolia warblers, yellow-throated vireos, Baltimore orioles, blue-winged warblers, black-and-white warblers, Louisiana waterthrushes and bay-breasted warblers.

  • The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve is open during hunting season (Oct 1 - Dec 21, Dec 26 - Jan 1) to bow hunting only. Written permission is required to hunt on TNC lands. To learn about our hunting program or to obtain permission to hunt, please visit our New York hunting information page

  • To help ensure that this special place can be enjoyed for future generations, please leave no trace and carry out what you carry in. Camping, littering, unauthorized hunting, fires or removal or destruction of plants or animals are prohibited. See our full preserve visitation guidelines for more information.

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

See the Complete Map