Wonder Lake State Park

Wonder Lake State Park is a protected area in Patterson, New York, with an artificial lake, wooded hillsides, and roughly 14 kilometers of marked trails. The property covers more than 460 hectares and connects several forest parcels and wetland zones.

The park began as a summer estate developed in the 1930s by A.L. Cushman, who created two ponds by building dams across small streams. The land became public property in the 1990s and later joined the state park system.

The grounds still carry traces of their time as a private retreat, with the lake and surrounding woodlands shaped by decades of residential use. Local anglers and hikers now share these same trails and shores, drawn by the quiet and the chance to spot deer or waterfowl.

The trail network connects with the regional Highlands Trail and offers routes for different levels of fitness and stamina. Parking is available near the main access points, and the paths remain open year-round.

The reserve forms a key ecological corridor within the Great Swamp watershed, linking several public lands through forest belts and streams. This connectivity allows wildlife such as deer and foxes to move between different habitats.

Location: New York

Inception: 1998

Operator: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Phone: +18452257207

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/wonderlake/details.aspx

GPS coordinates: 41.49500,-73.64920

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24