Rock Oak Preserve is a 30-acre hardwood, coniferous forest with a canopy of red oak, chestnut oak, white pine and eastern hemlock. It is Woodstock Land Conservancy’s newest preserve, and we are excited to share it with the public.  The preserve opened to the public in mid-July, and we held the official ribbon cutting celebration July 31 that included County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Legislator Eric Stewart.

Its stunning rock-cut is a reminder of its rich history – and nature’s ability to recapture land. The rock-cut was created for the railroad, but the destruction of West Hurley in the early 1900s to build the Ashokan Reservoir stopped the trains from running through it. The one-mile trail includes a short spur trail into the rock-cut and a meandering loop through upland oak forest, passing glacial erratics, rock outcroppings and a scenic lookout. 

Rock Oak Preserve is named for the bountiful chestnut oaks, also known as rock oak because they grow in dry, rocky soil. These magnificent trees are easily recognizable by their deep-ridged bark and their leaves with rounded “teeth” along the edges. The rock oaks help to create the diverse ecosystem that thrives in this preserve as the animals, flora and fauna returned to the place abandoned by humans and their machines.

The history and beauty are freely available to visitors thanks to the Martin family’s generous land donation and financial support as well as funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.  

Visit the Rock Oak Preserve page for a map, brochure and more information.