Turnpike State Forest

Highlights

A rider-focused forest destination with real mileage, useful access, and room to build a serious trail day.

Riding

In the saddle, the experience is shaped by west almond trail system with about 29 miles of loops and spurs open to horses. That translates into a ride you can tailor to your horse, your confidence level, and the kind of day you want to have—anything from a calm conditioning outing to a more immersive trail adventure with scenery that feels distinctly New York.

Rideable terrain

29 miles

Trailer parking

This is one of the better trailhead setups in the region, with tie stalls, picnic shelters, a mounting platform, and camping options that make arrival feel smooth and intentional.

Horse regulations

Horse trails are closed to horses between October 1 and May 31 annually. Riders must carry current negative Coggins paperwork and use only the designated multi-use trail system. Ride with strong shared-trail etiquette, keep paperwork accessible, and let current conditions—not just the map—guide how ambitious your day should be.

Getting here

This is one of the better trailhead setups in the region, with tie stalls, picnic shelters, a mounting platform, and camping options that make arrival feel smooth and intentional. Once you are onsite, take a minute to organize before you head out. These are the kinds of places where an intentional first ten minutes—parking straight, checking your tack, confirming your map, and reading the current notices—can make the rest of the day feel effortless.

Planning your visit

Turnpike is a standout for riders who want trail mileage and horse-friendly infrastructure in the same place. It has the bones of a real riding trip: useful facilities, multiple loops, and enough on-the-ground support to make it feel comfortable without losing the rustic forest character.

Where to stay

Horse camping is allowed here, which gives the destination much more flexibility than a simple day-use trailhead. Even if you only come for one night, having the option to stay close to your trailer and start the next ride without repacking everything makes the whole experience feel more relaxed.