Foothills, Plains and Valleys

After a difficult one-mile incline to the top, hikers can watch a waterfall cascade down a cliff and take in the incredible views of the larger river valley at Jensen’s Ledges. Rock cairns/rock sculptures sitting along the edge of the mountain near the ledges also provide a unique and majestic feature to the summit. Along the way, check out the bluestone rock, a nod to the history of bluestone quarrying in the area. For hikers who choose to continuing hiking past the ledges, the rest of the trail weaves through towering forest and alongside bubbling streams. Please note that this trail is not regularly maintained and one may encounter downed trees, wet/muddy areas, and potentially parts of the trail flooded with several inch-deep water, especially after heavy rain. Trail conditions can differ depending on season and weather. Parts of the trail require hikers to cross small streams to continue. Although these streams are less than a foot deep, they can be too wide to jump across. Red, circular trail markers on trees indicate the trail path, which sometimes can be difficult to discern due to trail conditions and confusing signage. We recommend all visitors sign in to the trail register at the start of the trail. Please note that there are no restrooms available. This trail is managed by the New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation Game Lands 209 and parts of the trail are on or surrounded by private property. Please stay on the trail and do not trespass onto private property. Directions to Jensen's Ledges Shortly after trail register, there is a fork in the trail. Take the left path, which also has a sign indicating that it leads to the ledges. Trail will be a regular incline. After the trail begins to flatten at the top, there is a fork in the path. The right leads down to cross a wider stream. To see the waterfall, look for a smaller path to the right of the trail leading down across the stream. This path leads to a ledge with the waterfall. To reach Jensen’s Ledges, cross the stream and follow the trail. You will shortly see a path leading off the main trail to the right, marked with fall hazard signs. Take this path to the ledges. The trail continues on past Jensen's Ledges, but the best scenic views are at the waterfall and Jensens' Ledges. Parking At the trailhead there is an unpaved, gravel lot that can accommodate 10-15 cars. After rain there may be mud and/or standing water. Safety This land is managed by New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation Game Lands. For safety, please wear bright or fluorescent orange or pink to increase your visibility while hiking in these lawful hunting areas. Please exercise caution and situational awareness with weather and river conditions while hiking. During all seasons, there is always a risk of ticks. Please check for ticks on yourself and any pets after hiking. Please note that there is very limited cell connectivity in the area and cell phones may not receive signal along the river or on the hike. Respect private property and stay on the trail. Leave No Trace and Pack It In, Pack It Out Please practice "Leave No Trace" principles and do not litter or leave any waste, including animal waste, behind. Take waste with you and dispose of it properly. There are no trash receptacles available on the trails or at the trailheads, so you must take any trash with you when you leave. Please leave nature as you found it. This includes not touching, moving, sitting on, or altering the rock cairns around Jensen's Ledges. Do not start or create fires or campfires.

This moderate trail to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is 1.8 miles/2.8 kilometers roundtrip. Rising above the surrounding canyons, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at 7,310ft/2,228m is one of the highest points in the monument. The dark rock is dacite, evidence of a lava flow. Lightning activity is monitored from the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed fire lookout during the summer. Return the same way. Access is from the Sugarloaf parking lot.

While Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, we’re also known to be a very popular spot for cycling; no matter your level of expertise. The grounds of Saratoga National Historical Park are open daily, year-round, from sunrise to sunset; cyclists are able to ride the tour road at any time, weather and conditions permitting. Check on updates to our operating hours to see when the Tour Road is open. Bikes must remain on paved surfaces and follow all New York State bicycle laws. Off-road use is not permitted. Bike Rentals Find out about bike rentals at Saratoga National Historical Park from BikeSaratoga. What to Expect BRING WATER! There is no water available along the tour road and fountains are turned off during the winter months. The tour road is a 9.5-mile, paved, one way road with a 25 mph speed limit and a multi-use lane on the right hand side. A bicycle is considered a vehicle and must follow the posted speed limit and one way flow of traffic. At the end of the tour road, cyclists will need to turn right and ride 1.5 miles back to the visitor center (if this is where you started). In total, the "battlefield loop" is about 11 miles and contains steep inclines and downhills. You will probably use every gear your bike has! Need a shorter ride? A service road is available just after the 5-mile mark; it is indicated by a brown and white sign next to the bike lane. NOTE: this service road is gravel and there is a steep hill; for your safety, please walk. If you decide to turn around and head back to the parking lot going against the flow of traffic, walk your bikes on the right side of the road or in the grass. Pedestrians have right of way in pedestrian/bike lane. There are 10 parking areas along the 11-mile loop for you take a break and explore the historical grounds this park preserves. This isn’t a race, so take your time and enjoy your surroundings. Watch out for wildlife on the road. Deer can be tame and just stand on the road as you approach. Whether you've ridden the battlefield before or not, be sure to check out our additional tips below for a fun (and safe) ride at Saratoga NHP!

Have you ever wondered what life in the desert would have looked like thousands of years ago? Visitors to Tuzigoot National Monument can look into the lives of the Sinagua , the people who lived here and built the pueblo the park is named for by hiking the Pueblo Trail. The trail is a 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop that encircles the dwelling and allows an up close look at this incredible testament to community and ancient engineering. Visitors can also walk into and stand on the roof of one of the pueblo rooms. The tower or citadel provides the opportunity to view the inner structure of a pueblo room and some relief from the intense sun. A set of stairs leads to the roof of the citadel which offers 360-degree views of Tuzigoot. The pueblo was constructed and expanded in four phases from approximately 1050 CE to 1380. By the end of construction, Tuzigoot held about 110 rooms, 23 of them built on the second story. It's estimated about 225 people could have lived in the pueblo at its peak. It's very likely that women in the community constructed most of the structure while men gathered materials. Tuzigoot was just one of many Sinagua villages in the Verde Valley at the time; there were at least three other villages that were built within sight of Tuzigoot. This was home to a vibrant, thriving community until the Sinagua left the Verde Valley by about the early 1400s. It's not known exactly why the Sinagua left the area, but it may have been for multiple reasons such as climate change causing hotter, drier conditions in the southwest, competition for resources with other peoples, collapse of trade routes, or disease. Traditional knowledge from some descendants of the Sinagua say the pueblos in the Verde Valley like Tuzigoot were never meant to be permanent settlements and it was just time for their people to move on. However, Tuzigoot is not abandoned and forgotten; it remains a place where people come to connect with their culture and heritage. It is remembered and honored. Although most of Tuzigoot was reconstructed between 1933 and 1935, the reconstruction was built on the original foundation of the pueblo. Park staff continue to maintain the structure using natural materials and building techniques very similar to what the Sinagua would have used. If you're lucky, you may see cultural resources staff hard at work on this important project. Safety Bring water on your walk. The Pueblo Trail does not have shade and summer high temperatures range from 95 ° to 115 ° F (35 ° to 46 ° C). The park does not sell bottled water, but water bottles can be purchased from the bookstore and a water bottle refill station and drinking fountain are available at the restrooms. From spring through fall, rattlesnakes are seen in the park and may be present on the trails. If you encounter a rattlesnake during your visit, please let a staff member know immediately. Park rangers are specially trained to safely relocate rattlesnakes. Never attempt to handle or move a snake yourself and give all snakes at least six feet of space. Please remember that we are visitors in their home; rattlesnakes and all other park wildlife are protected from harm or harassment by law. Check the forecast ahead of time. From July through mid-September, heavy rainstorms called monsoons are common in the afternoon. Park trails are closed for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes five miles or less from the park. Regulations Never climb or sit on the dwellings or structures. Please refrain from touching dwelling walls. Please stay on the trail. Drones and other unmanned aircraft are not permitted in the park. Please leave all plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, bones, and other items where you find them for others to enjoy. If you find something interesting on the trail, take a photo to share with a ranger. Pets are welcome on the trails but must be on a leash no more than six feet at all times. Always clean up after your pet. Never leave your pets in the car.

Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. Follow the footsteps of those before you as you hike along hallowed ground. The grounds of Saratoga National Historical Park are open daily, year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Check our operating hours page for updates. Stop by the visitor center to grab a trail map of the Wilkinson Trail. What to Expect BRING WATER! There is no water available along the trail and fountains are turned off during the winter months. NOTE Streams within the park are not recommended for you or your dog to drink from. Need a shorter hike? Consider the Liaison Trail "shortcut" which reduces the hike to just under 2 miles. This "shortcut" is identified by a small sign labeled "Liaison Trail" and cuts across the historic Freeman Farm area between "Station F" and "Station N". Learn along the way There are 14 lettered "stations" (A-N) along the 4.2-mile trail which serve as trailmarkers and reference points for audio tour. The audio tour is available through this link or you can download the National Park Service app and find them under "Self-Guided Tours" on Saratoga National Historical Park's page. There is also a kids tour at this link that takes you along the shortcut Liaison Trail and can also be found on the NPS app in the same place. This isn’t a race, so take your time, enjoy your surroundings, and learn a little history!

Hike the Anza Trail through Moreno Valley in Riverside County, CA. This segment is located on the ancestral lands of the Luiseno, Tongva, and Cahuilla people, and it falls between historic Anza expedition campsites #58 and #59. This 8-mile certified trail starts at Towngate Memorial Park and ends at Lake Perris State Recreation Area . The multi-use paved path is flat and good for walking, jogging, and biking. It has lighting in some areas and would take roughly 2-4 hours to complete by foot. At the trailhead, Towngate Memorial Park offers parking, multi-use athletic fields, ADA-accessible parking, picnic tables, ADA-accessible restrooms, a softball/baseball field, ADA-accessible playground, and a picnic shelter. Cross Perris Blvd. and follow wayfinding signs to Santiago Drive to the existing trail west of Perris. The trail follows public sidewalks along Santiago and Perris and connects to the existing trail east and west of Perris. The trail does not cross the unimproved parcel. Follow wayfinding signs to continue along the trail. At the end of the trail, Lake Perris offers hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, picnicking, camping, rock climbing, horse-back riding, and the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum . There is a fee for entrance to the lake. Note that the trail is not developed at 15795 Perris Blvd., Moreno Valley.

Soldiers at the fort were encouraged to tend gardens, and we have a few examples of what they grew! Come and see how different some of your favorite fruits and vegetables were back in the 18th century, and learn about how different medicinal herbs were used. You may already have some herbs in your pantry! Before his arrival to the fort in the spring of 1777, Gansevoort sent a letter to his second in command, Lieutenant Col. Marinus Willett, ordering a garden to be planted near the fort: “As soon as the Season will permit you will have the Garden put in Seed, that the Garrison may not be without vegetables in their Season.” Everyday, private soldiers would have received a portion of bread, flour, or vegetables for their one daily meal, along with a portion of meat. Meat was often shipped to the fort in barrels of brine and not considered fresh by today’s standards. What little livestock they had was kept for milk production. During the Siege of 1777 a number of these animals were killed for food; a fact Gansevoort later bemoaned to Gates stating that they should have had proper supplies before an attack occurred. Even with fresh vegetables available, portions weren’t always distributed fairly. By the next spring, orders were issued to the men that specific food items were to be sold at set prices (Example: 16 Shilling for 17 lbs. of onion and $2 per head of cabbage). This was done so that those civilians and even other soldiers with more access to the garden and livestock could not cheat others out of their fair share.