Vernooy Kill State Forest is a state forest located within the broader Sundown Wild Forest in the Catskills. The area features varied topography, including mountains, valleys, and rivers, with trails often following old logging roads. A prominent natural feature is Vernooy Kill Falls, and the forest offers diverse landscapes suitable for outdoor pursuits. Visitors can engage in several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and more.
Vernooy Kill State Forest…
31
Routes
4.3
(5)
Average rating
174
People visited

5.0
(2)
19
hikers
22.9km
06:30
500m
500m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
3.13km
00:50
40m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
hikers
9.64km
02:44
230m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

17.4km
05:10
740m
200m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
11.4km
01:01
160m
160m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
11
riders
10.1km
00:54
130m
130m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
23.5km
02:13
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
3.71km
00:18
20m
20m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
52.8km
04:20
880m
880m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
40.3km
02:42
460m
460m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

65.9km
04:30
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
41.1km
02:33
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
runners
5.32km
00:38
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.7km
01:21
210m
210m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11.6km
01:37
490m
490m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
9.69km
01:01
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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15
riders
28.0km
01:12
230m
240m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
107km
05:30
1,070m
1,070m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
85.2km
03:53
780m
770m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
4
riders
57.6km
03:22
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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Vernooy Kill State Forest offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, and jogging. The forest features varied topography and trails, including old logging roads. It is part of the larger Sundown Wild Forest in the Catskills.
A popular hiking destination is Vernooy Kill Falls, accessible via trails like the Flat Hill Trail. This trail, an old logging road, offers an easy grade. A 3.5-mile (5.6 km) round trip to the falls provides a serene walk through a shady forest. For more options, consult the Hiking in Vernooy Kill State Forest guide.
Yes, Vernooy Kill State Forest is home to Vernooy Kill Falls, a 49-foot waterfall. A bridge crosses the waterfall in its middle. The Waterfall hikes in Vernooy Kill State Forest guide provides routes to this feature.
Vernooy Kill State Forest is known for its mountain biking trails, which include singletrack and multi-use options. Trails vary in difficulty, with some featuring berms, bridges, jumps, and rock gardens. Sections of the Vernooy Kill Falls and Denman Mountain Snowmobile-Multiple Use Trails are suitable for mountain biking. More information is available in the MTB Trails in Vernooy Kill State Forest guide.
Yes, trails like the Flat Hill Trail, an old logging road, offer an easy grade suitable for casual strollers and families. These paths generally provide a gentler grade and wider surface. The diverse trail network includes options for various skill levels.
A prominent natural feature is Vernooy Kill Falls, a 49-foot waterfall. The area also features fishable trout streams and Mountain Laurel along trails. The broader Sundown Wild Forest offers views of the Catskill High Peaks and the Rondout Reservoir.
Routes in Vernooy Kill State Forest have an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on more than 300 visitor experiences. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users. There are 3 routes currently listed on komoot for this area.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Vernooy Kill State Forest, MTB Trails in Vernooy Kill State Forest, and Cycling in Vernooy Kill State Forest. Guides for running, road cycling, and traffic-free bike rides are also available.
Vernooy Kill State Forest is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as part of the Sundown Wild Forest. For information and inquiries, contact the DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office at (845) 256-3076. For emergencies, call 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.
Yes, multi-use trails and old logging roads, such as the Flat Hill Trail, are suitable for touring cycling and jogging. These paths generally offer a gentler grade and wider surface. The Cycling in Vernooy Kill State Forest guide provides route options.
The forest features varied topography, including mountains, valleys, and rivers. Trails often follow old logging roads, providing a mix of easy grades and more challenging routes. Some mountain biking trails include technical features like berms, bridges, and rock gardens.

