Home › New York › Clifton Park › Woodcock Preserve
Woodcock Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 53 Google reviews · Running trail in Clifton Park, New York · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 2.4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Woodcock Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Nature area featuring peaceful trails and a dog-friendly hike.
What runners say about Woodcock Preserve
“No real payoff like a summit or a nice scenic view, but it's a nice bit of preserved land.”
“Excellent light hike in a shady wood.”
“Trails are well marked and there is some great stone work and log work to help keep you out of the mud if the weather has been rainy.”
“Nice trails, quiet, benches to rest or just sit and enjoy the wilderness.”
“Easy trails but not too short.”
For birdwatchers this is a great trail. Yellow, red, blue, silver . . . I can't identify the species, but you will see a great variety of them. The trail is usually easily walkable (not so much after a heavy rain) and it is level. A fabulous nature experience!
Great place to go for a walk and enjoy nature with the family. Flat trails, no hills. Just remember the Tanner Rd the parking lot is off of, is 35 mph. The cops sit daily on the road waiting. My buddy was caught headed back from his hike with his dog.
This was a great find. I was taking my son to practice and I saw it and had to try it out. It was beautiful and I hope I get a chance to go back. Nice trails, quiet, benches to rest or just sit and enjoy the wilderness.
Excellent light hike in a shady wood. Trails are well marked and bolstered with sapling logs or rocks laid across muddy and low lying areas. No real payoff like a summit or a nice scenic view, but it's a nice bit of preserved land. Blue trail is off limits during spring and summer to preserve a bird nesting habitat.
Trail conditions & character
“Trails are well marked and bolstered with sapling logs or rocks laid across muddy and low lying areas.”
“Nice trails, quiet, benches to rest or just sit and enjoy the wilderness.”
“The trail is usually easily walkable (not so much after a heavy rain) and it is level.”
“The blue loop is out of use for the summer--enjoy the nature but please don't break the rules that are keeping that nature intact.”
“Just remember the Tanner Rd the parking lot is off of, is 35 mph.”
“No real payoff like a summit or a nice scenic view, but it's a nice bit of preserved land.”
“My buddy was caught headed back from his hike with his dog.”
“Trails are well marked and there is some great stone work and log work to help keep you out of the mud if the weather has been rainy.”
Plan your run at Woodcock Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance2.4 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesaratogaplan.org
- Phone(518) 587-5554
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Clifton Park
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Kinns Road Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 282 reviews
Dog-friendly trails and paths through the woods, plus a picnic area.
George T. Smith Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Park with shaded picnic tables, a playground, a basketball court, and tennis courts, plus trails.
Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve
4 ★★★★☆ 122 reviews
240-acre reserve offering a natural habitat for animals & plants, hiking trails & fishing spots.
Longkill Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 88 reviews
Garnsey Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 109 reviews
Leafy park featuring well-maintained hiking paths for birdwatching and nature walks through the woods.
