Member Hiking Clubs and Environmental Groups for Trail Hiking, Local Hikes, and Trail Protection in NY and NJ

The groups listed here support trails with their membership in the Trail Conference. Click through to their websites or use the contact information provided to learn more about them and how to join. Many welcome guests on hikes. To see a list of current outings that are open to the public click here. Hiking with one of the clubs is a great way for beginners to learn both about how to hike and where the trails are.

If you are the club person responsible for updating the information on your club below, please email jreinhardt@nynjtc.org to make changes.

If your club is not a member of the Trail Conference, get them to join.

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB (Parent club of several member clubs)

Long Island Chapter - Year-round hikes, backpack, lodge, trip, raft, canoe, x-c. Monthly meeting & program. Guests welcome.

Mid-Hudson Chapter - Hike, x-c, social activity. Guests welcome.

Mohican Chapter - Westchester & Putnam Co., NY & Fairfield CT. Hike, backpack, x-c, canoe, snowshoe, camp, bike. Guests welcome.

New York Chapter - Hike, maintain trails, camp on Lake Sebago, conservation, x-c.

 North Jersey Ramapo Chapter - North Jersey & Rockland/Orange Co., NY. Hike, x-c, snowshoe, canoe, conservation, trail maintenance.

Other chapters throughout NYS.

Contact: ADK 814 Goggins Rd., Lake George, NY 12845; 518-793-7737

Adventures for Women - Outdoor skills training, day hikes, backpacking, outdoor vacation w/e. 15 Victoria Ln., Morristown, NJ 07960; 973-644-3592.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB (Parent club of several member clubs)

AMC Delaware Valley Chapter

AMC Mohawk-Hudson Chapter - Local, Adirondacks, Catskills, Taconics, Bershires. Hike, bike, x-c, snowshoe, canoe, field trips, trail maintenance, active conservation.

*AMC NY-North Jersey Chapter - All outdoor activities, with a focus on hiking, backpacking, and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail. 5 Tudor City Pl., NYC 10017; 212-986-1430, office@amc-ny.org.

Other chapters throughout the northeast.
Contact: AMC, 5 Joy St., Boston, MA 02108; 617-523-0636, information@amcinfo.org.

Audubon Society, NYC - Offers classes and seminars about the city’s bird population, leads outdoor tours and excursions to experience NYC’s bird life first hand. Programs available for children, young adults and adults.

Bellvale School - Hiking, trail maintenance, Lakes Rd. Wildcat shelter. 359 Gibsonhill Rd., Chester, NY 10918.

Black Rock Forest Consortium - Research, education, and forest stewardship. 129 Continental Rd., Cornwall, NY 12518; 845-534-4517.

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

BSA Troop 8 (Brooklyn) - Outdoor activities including trail & orienteering volunteer maintenance. 1715 Newkirk Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226; 718-941-9835.

BSA Troop 23 - 407 Merritt Rd., West Point, NY 10996.

BSA Troop 36 - 70 Martin Ave., Oradell, NJ 07649; 201-986-0710, sharples@optonline.net.

BSA Troop 50 - 26 Alcott Rd., Mahwah, NJ 07430. 

BSA Troop 121 (Hudson Valley Council) - 73 Shepard Ave., Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.

BSA Troop 258 - 118 Malcolm Rd., Mahwah, NJ 07430.

BSA Troop 288 - PO Box 420, Annandale, NJ 08801; 908-437-6057.

Boy Scouts of America Northern NJ Council - Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson & Passaic Co. Youth outdoor activity combined with citizen and leader development, maintain trails in camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, Blairstown, NJ. For troop, post, pack: 25 Ramapo Valley Rd., Oakland, NJ 07436; 201-677-1000, info@nnjbsa.org.

Byram Township (NJ) Environmental Commission -  Promotes conservation and development of township resources, leads natural resources planning, and informs public about local conservation programs.

Catskill Center for Conservation & Development - Protects, sustains and fosters cultural landscapes, communities, arts and education of Catskills region. Year-round events, hikes, outings and lectures. PO Box 504, 43355 Rt. 28, Arkville, NY 12406; 845-586-2611, membership@catskillcenter.org.

Catskill Mountain Club - Outdoor recreational activities, volunteer stewardship of public resources, educational programs and environmental and recreational advocacy. PO Box 558, Pine Hill, NY 12465.

*Chinese Mountain Club of NY - Year-round, hike, bike, backpack, canoe, camp, x-c.

Church Communities Foundation - Youth hiking, camping, swimming, trail maintenance. 2255 Platte Clove Rd., Elka Park, NY 12427; 518-589-5103.

Closter Nature Center Association - 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forests open to all local residents, providing informative monthly lectures and nature walks for the general public, schools, or scout groups.

Discover Outdoors - Commercial organization leading hike, climb, bike, canoe, kayak, and x/c trips out of NYC. Formerly Outdoor Bound.

East Coast Greenway Alliance -  Promotes creating and protecting a planned 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway connecting 25 major cities and friendly for bike and pedestrian use.

East Hampton Trails Preservation Society - Year-round twice-weekly town hikes. Biking, kayaking, adventure trips in East Hampton and beyond. Volunteer crews maintain trails. PO Box 2144, Amagansett, NY 11930; info@easthamptontrails.org.

Fire Island Wilderness Committee - 325 Beaver Dam Rd., Brookhaven, NY 11719; 914-632-8936, fiwilderness@earthlink.net.

Fishkill Greenway Trails Committee - Dedicated to developing a Greenway Trail within the town of Fishkill to provide the community with scenic, recreational, and educational opportunities.

Flat Rock Brook Nature Association - 150-acre nature preserve, 3.2 mi. trails free and open to public, year-round nature programs for children and adults. Membership organization, call for fees. 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631; 201-567-1265.

Fox Hill School - Hiking, maintains trails.  Walden, NY 845-778-7561.

Friends of Garret Mountain - Environmental group committed to preserve and protect Garret Mountain and Rifle Camp Parks in Passaic Co., NJ. Birding, botany and general walks. Members welcome. Contact Norma Holmes, 973-746-8933.

Friends of Glen Gray - Camping and hiking facility in Bergen Co., NJ. Hiking trails, fishing lake (ages 16+, requires NJ Fishing License), cabins, lean-tos, tent sites, sports field, campfire ring, amphitheater, dining hall, kitchen, wood stoves in cabins, cabins with electricity. 201-327-7234, fax 201-327-0322, campglengray@aol.com.

Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct - The Old Croton Aqueduct is a National Historic Landmark and the longest thinnest Historic State Park in NY, averaging 60 feet wide and spanning 26.2 miles from Van Cortlandt Park to the Croton Dam.

Friends of Pelham Bay Park - Supports and maintains trails in NYC's Pelham Bay Park.

Friends of the Shawangunks - Environmental group concerned with Gunk ridge. Members welcome. PO Box 270, Accord, NY 12404; 845-687-4759, info@shawangunks.org.

*German-American Hiking Club - Hike, x-c, w/e lodge trip, canoe. GAHC2@verizon.net.

Greater Stamford Area Trust - The operating body of Headwaters Trails, encouraging education and recreational use of the Catskills that is ecologically sensitive and promoting the natural beauty of the region.

Hi-Camp Outdoor Activity Club - Maintains trails, outdoor recreational activities.  917-882-6666 www.hicamp.org

Highlands Natural Pool - Olympic-size, stream-fed swimming pool adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest trails. Memberships and day passes available. 180 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood, NJ 07456; 973-835-4299 or info@highlandspool.com.

HIKE for Mental Health - Coordinates fundraising wilderness hikes to benefit nonprofit organizations committed to preventing and alleviating the pain caused by mental illness or maintaining and preserving wilderness trails.

Hiking Group for Singles and Friends - 16 McAllister Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854; 203-854-5508.

Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. - c/o Geordan Smith, 50 Chestnut Rd., Verona NJ 07044; 973-857-4168.

Hudson Highlands Gateway Task Force - Hiking, trail building, marking trails, trail maintenance, snowshoeing, bird watching. Town of Cortlandt, 1 Heady Street, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567; Richardd@TownofCortlandt.com.

Hudson Valley Hikers - Meetup group of outdoor enthusiasts with hikes every weekend. Hike, backpack, camp, kayak, cycle, mountaineer, rock/ice climb, etc.

Hunterdon Hiking Club - Year-round hike, x-c. c/o Hunterdon Co. Park System, Rt. 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833; 908-782-1158.

Hyde Park Trail Partnership - The Hyde Park Trail system includes nearly 14 miles of trails linking parks and historic sites in the town of Hyde Park, NY. Learn more on our website and find links to info and trail maps.

Interstate Hiking Club - Fri., Sat., Sun. events in northern NJ & southern NY. Hiking, canoeing, biking, snowshoeing, and trail maintenance. 33 Morris Ave., PO Box 52, Mt. Tabor, NJ 07878; 973-625-4379 no calls after 9pm, info@interstatehikingclub.org.

Little Stony Point Citizens Association - Volunteer organization dedicated to keeping Little Stony Point Park beautiful and accessible to the public.

Long Path North Hiking Club - Year-round hike, snowshoe, x-c in Albany, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties. SASE to PO Box 855, Schoharie, NY 12157; 518-864-7068.

Mountain Skills Climbing Guides - AGMA-accredited climbing and hiking guide service based in the Gunks and Catskill Mountains. Trail Conference retail partner offering discounts to Trail Conference members. PO Box 991, New Paltz, NY 12561; 845-853-5450, info@mountainskills.biz.

Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy - Environmental group focusing on NJ Highlands conservation, trail construction, maintenance, hiking. Contact John Jimenez, 908-537-7631.

Nassau Hiking and Outdoor Club - Weekly hikes, various levels, guests welcome. Backpacking, camping, biking, skiing and w/e trips in LI, Harriman, Hudson Valley and Catskills.

Nelsonville Greenway Committee - Trail maintenance, hiking, maintains Nelsonville Trail & Split Rock Trail up to the White Trail junction on top of Bull Hill. Contact Walter Garschagen, 845-265-2500.

New Haven Hiking Club - Hiking, biking, camping, canoe and kayak trips, x/c, snowshoe, trail maintenance, social outings.

*New York Alpine Club - Asian-American club. Year round hike, ice/rock climb, backpack, snowboard, ski, camp.

*New York Hiking Club - Year-round hike, w/e trips.

*New York Ramblers - Unusual, long, strenuous hikes.

*Outdoors Club - Easy to strenuous hikes, bikes, city walks, cultural trips, more. Newsletter and hike schedule. PO Box 227, Lenox Hill Station, NYC 10021; hbmanyee@yahoo.com.

Outdoor Single Friends - Singles over 40. Hiking excursions, shows, dinners.

Palisades Nature Association - Administers 165-acre Greenbrook Sanctuary, weekly field trip and nature walk. Members only, groups by appointment. PO Box 155, Alpine NJ 07620, 201-768-1360.

Protect our Wetlands, Water & Woods - Hiking, fundraising, trail maintenance, land trust for purchasing open space. PO Box 438, Denville, NJ 07834.

*Protectors of Pine Oak Woods - Field trips, hike, land conservation, mainly on Staten Island. Bulletin available, guests welcome.

Rip Van Winkle Hikers - Year-round hike in Catskills and Mid-Hudson. All levels, guest welcome. Every Mon., 2nd & 4th Sat., 1st Wed. Meeting 4th Mon. bimonthly.

Rock Lodge Club - Nudist/family and kid-friendly. Maintains own trail network, engages in local environmental and land preservation efforts, leads annual hike thru Russia Brook Sanctuary. Clean spring-fed swimming lake, tennis, sauna, hot tub, overnight facilities. Visitors welcome, memberships available. Stockholm, NJ. 20% discount to visitors presenting an active Trail Conference membership card upon arrival.

RPHC Volunteers - AT hikers and trail maintainers focused on the AT in Putnam & Dutchess Counties, NY. Contact Timothy Messerich, 845-297-9573.

St. Benedicts Backpacking Project - Open only to current students and faculty at school. Caretakers for Gren Anderson Shelter and its side trail to the AT.

Shorewalkers - Box 20748, New York, NY 10025.

SIERRA CLUB

Lower Hudson Group (NY) - National & local conservation, outings, lectures, socials.

Mid-Hudson Group (NY) - Weekly hike, canoe, x-c, all levels. Socials, national & local conservation, national outings program. PO Box 1012, Poughkeepsie NY 12602.

Society for the Advancement of Judaism - Contemporary Reconstructionist synagogue rooted in Jewish tradition and committed to spiritual growth, social justice, and building community. 15 W 86th St., New York, NY 10024; 212-724-7000.

Southampton Trails Preservation Society - P.O. Box 1263, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.

Storm King Adventure Tours -  Maintain trails, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking. 845-534-7800.

*Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society - Gay/lesbian. Hike, camp, canoe, bike, ski, socials. PO Box 36-20469, NYC, NY 10129

SUNY Oneonta Outing Club - pettas@oneonta.edu.

Teatown Lake Reservation - 834-acre Westchester nature preserve and center, 14 miles of trails, educational programs, trips, lectures. Trail crews meet w/e monthly Apr. thru Dec., Adopt-a-Trail ongoing trail assessment. 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining, NY 10562; 914-762-2912.

Tenafly Nature Center Association - 400-acre preserve, 7+ miles of trails, 3-acre pond, abundant with wildlife. Open to the public year-round, more than 1100 groups of all ages visit yearly; 201-568-6093.

Thendara Mountain Club - Hike, canoe, backpack, x-c, snowshoe, trail maintenance, camp on Lake Tiorati, Harriman Park.

Union County Hiking Club - Year-round outdoor activities, hikes and bicycle riding.

University Outing Club - Hike, canoe, field trips, films, dinners. Central NJ area, open to public, families welcome.

Urban Trail Conference - Year-round hikes, cultural and nature walks in NYC and tri-state area, all via public transportation.

Valley Stream Hiking Club - Hiking and walking in NY, NJ, CT, & MA trails and towns. Maintain a Long Island Greenbelt Trail. 67 E Fairview Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580; 516-837-7515.

Wappinger Greenway Trail Committee - Several municipalities and nonprofits that maintain a 10 mile figure-8 trail including woods, roads, and sidewalks around Wappinger Lake and Wappinger Creek in Wappinger Falls, Dutchess Co., NY.

*Weis Ecology Center/NJ Audubon Society - Nature center near Norvin Green State Forest. Camping, programs, guided hikes, access to trails in NJ Highlands, 1 hr from NYC. 150 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood, NJ 07456; 973-835-2160, weis@njaudubon.org.

Westchester Trails Association - Day hikes every Sat. & Sun., fall Catskills w/e, carpool at North White Plains Station parking lot.

West Milford 13ers - Offers moderately paced hikes in and around the heart of the North Jersey Highlands. Support sustainable tourism: climb all 13 local peaks and become an official 13er.

Women About - Lesbian, age 18+. Non-profit organization offering a supportive environment to meet for year-round urban walks, hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, x-c.