The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) welcomes you to High Falls Public Conservation Area in Columbia County, NY. This 47-acre property takes its name from the historic waterfall—the highest in the county.
Columbia County is nestled between the Catskills and Berkshires along the Hudson River north of New York City (NYC).
The tour begins at the High Falls parking area and takes you hiking through hardwood forests and hemlock ravines to the falls overlook. It is an audio walking tour designed to be enjoyed at your own pace.
Along the route you will learn about how High Falls and the Agawamuck Creek have been an important part of the region’s development. Learn about the dam above High Falls, which was built in 1845, and still visible from the viewing area, and an old mill still stands on the creek’s northern slopes.
In the mid-1990s the landowner at the time recognized the importance of the natural and scenic resources found on the property and contacted the local land trust. Over the course of several years, CLC worked with the neighbors, the Town, and the Village to develop a plan for the property.
CLC thanks the Meltz and Schnackenberg families for donating the property, the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation and Jack Shear, the Wellspring Foundation, the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation, and the Greenagers for their support maintaining this property.
As you hike along the route, you will learn about the nature and history of the forest you are passing through.
Tour Sponsors This tour is presented by the nonprofit,
The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC). The CLC works to conserve the farmland, forests, wildlife habitat, and rural character of Chatham and Columbia County, New York. They strive to strengthen the connections between people and the land.
Since its founding in 1986, the Columbia Land Conservancy has collaborated with partners to preserve the County’s vibrant rural character. It has conserved more than 30,000 acres of farmland, forests, and wildlife habitat to ensure clean air and water, healthy ecosystems, a strong agricultural sector, and a rich variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
CLC cultivates connection to the land by
providing outdoor and educational activites at
10 Public Conservation Areas, supporting agriculture by ensuring prime farmland continues to be available to the next generation of farmers, and promoting land protection and smart land use planning.
Find More Tours Near You If you enjoy this tour, check out all ten audio tours presented by The Columbia Land Conservancy:
Overmountain Fox Hill,
High Falls,
Overmountain Gazebo,
Siegel-Kline Kill,
Ooms,
Schor,
Harris,
Drowned Lands Swamp,
Greenport, and
Hand Hollow.
In addition, you can find other tours in New York State or wherever your travels may take you at
TravelStorys.com. Every place has a story.
Location: New York
Travel Type: Walking
Tour Duration: 30 minutes
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