Calendar - Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission

Outdoor enthusiasts planning a weekend visit to the Albany Pine Bush Preserve face a key logistical hurdle as Trailhead #8 remains temporarily closed for parking area renovations and paving.

The temporary closure began on November 4, 2026, and was scheduled to last for the next two to three weeks, according to updates from mail.albanypinebush.org. Visitors looking to access the preserve during this maintenance window are encouraged to utilize alternative trailheads across the property.

For those seeking guided outdoor events, albanypinebush.org reported a 1.4-mile hike through the sandy hills of the Blueberry Hill West region, carrying a suggested donation of $5 and meeting at trailhead #5.

Participants navigating to the trailhead from the Discovery Center building turn left onto Route 155 at the traffic light, proceed half a mile to the next light, and turn left onto Washington Avenue Extension before taking an immediate right onto Frontage Road.

From Frontage Road, drivers continue 0.3 miles to the stop sign at Pitch Pine Road, turn right, and drive half a mile to the end of the road where Blueberry Hill West Trailhead #5 is located. The terrain features sandy hills suited for all ages.

Beyond active trail maintenance, visitors engaging with the preserve’s broader ecosystem should note its ongoing ecological management policies. mail.albanypinebush.org reported that specific schedules for prescribed fires cannot be provided in advance due to the unpredictability of weather and fuel conditions, though individuals can subscribe to receive morning-of notifications. Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and trapping remain carefully regulated across the preserve and New York State.

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