There are so many great hikes in New York that you could do one a day for a year or two and still not hit them all. One that might sometimes get overlooked is the Swan Lake Loop in Rockefeller State Park Preserve near Hawthorne. It's a simple hike, but one that's enjoyable for the whole family. The scenery is stunning!
The hike is an easy-breezy 1.4 miles and since it's a loop, you won't even have to backtrack to get to your car.
Swan Lake Trail loops around Swan Lake, a 24-acre lake that you will have picture perfect views of through the entire hike!
There isn't much elevation gain at all throughout the hike, so it's excellent for children or beginning hikers. There are no stairs, so it's also great for wheelchair users and strollers.
The path is partially paved and the easy distance makes it quite popular with families and dog walkers.
The lake is a great spot for fishermen! The trail boasts a mile of shoreline access, so there's plenty of spots to cast your line.
Swan Lake Trail is centralized within Rockefeller State Park Preserve, so it connects to several other trails in the park if you want to make your hike a bit more challenging!
If you look closely, you will notice two little turtles in the lake! The park is a popular site for amphibians and migratory birds.
The views are best near sunset and the foliage is simply gorgeous in the fall, but the park is open year-round and is a great option for those looking for easier hikes with good views.
For more information on the trail, including photos, check out Alltrails.
Have you hiked the Swan Lake Loop Trail? Tell us all about it in the comments!
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