The Martin Van Buren Nature Trails
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Trails Description
The Martin Van Buren Nature Trails are made up of three trails, including a 1.4 mile outer loop trail. A mowed meadow with two outhouses built by Eagle Scouts is used for group camping. There is a glen with a small stream and overlook benches, also built by Eagle Scouts.
The Martin Van Buren Trails have been designated as a Hudson Valley Greenway Trail as well as a National Recreation Trail.
Map of the Van Buren Trails
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MVB Trail Rules and Information
- Admission: FREE
- Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
- Pets: All dogs must be on a leash and owners must remove dog waste.
- Trash: No receptacles are located onsite. Please take your trash with you.
- Water: There is no potable water on site.
- Cars and parking: Park only in the designated parking area.
- Vehicle use: NO motorized vehicles (including ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles etc.) are allowed on the trails.
- Respect the site and its visitors: Audio equipment and radio use is allowed with earphones only. Please respect the plants, animals, and artifacts at the site, as they are part of what makes these properties special.
- Hunting is prohibited.
- In case of Emergency: Call 911, our designated address is 2408 Rt. 9H, Kinderhook, NY 12106.
- Contact: Mark Leinung, 518-275-2088
Trail News
Members of Friends of Lindenwald and Scouts from Troop 2114, Valatie, christened the new fire ring that was constructed by Scout Dillon Schneider for his Eagle Scout project.
Our new bog bridge has been completed! We welcome visitors to check it out on the Outer Loop Trail (White Trail).
MVB Trail Special Use Form
To submit an application for special use of the MVB Trails, please fill out and submit the form below.
History of the Development of Van Buren Trails
In the early 1970’s, a local group was negotiating with the National Park Service about acquiring Lindenwald, the home of the 8th President. At around the same time, Columbia County decided to put a garbage dump just across the road (Route 9H) from the historic site. Fortunately, history won the battle and the Martin Van Buren Nature Trails occupy the space across the road from what is now the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site.
In the early 1980’s, Columbia County approached Cornell Cooperative Extension about finding a 4H club to take on the 71.8 acre site as a nature trail project. The Bits and Bytes 4H Club and the Nature Nuts 4H Club worked with Cooperative Extension Agents Dave Dykeman and Linda Tripp, who guided them through many projects, such as interpreting the property and laying out the trails.
As the initial 4H groups grew up, The Friends of Lindenwald took over the management and maintenance of the trails. In 2013, Columbia County deeded the ownership of the trails to the Friends of Lindenwald.
In 2017 the trails were recognized by the Hudson River Valley Greeway.