Posted on October 9th, 2020

Thacher State Park in Town of New Scotland

John Boyd Thacher State Park is a beautiful and historic state park located in Voorheesville, Albany County, New York. This park is situated atop the Helderberg Escarpment, which is a large limestone ridge that overlooks the surrounding area, providing visitors with stunning panoramic views of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack Mountains.

The park was named after John Boyd Thacher, who was a prominent Albany businessman and politician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also an avid conservationist and played a key role in the establishment of the park.

Visitors to John Boyd Thacher State Park can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, and rock climbing. The park features over 25 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to more challenging hikes up the escarpment. Rock climbers can test their skills on the steep cliffs and boulders that dot the landscape.

In addition to its natural beauty, the park also boasts a number of historic and cultural attractions. These include the Indian Ladder Trail, which takes visitors through a scenic gorge and past a Native American rock shelter, and the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, which features interactive exhibits on the area's geology and wildlife.

Link: NY State Parks Website