Sterling Forest State Park, Mountain state park in Orange County, United States
Sterling Forest State Park is a large protected area spanning over 22,000 acres of forest, water, and hills near New York City. The landscape alternates between dense woodlands, rocky ridges, and open water, creating varied habitats throughout the region.
The land was originally part of Cheesecock, a tract English settlers acquired from the Iroquois in 1702. Sterling Iron Works operated mines starting in the 1700s until industry ended in the 1920s, after which the area became a state park in 1998.
The name derives from the Sterling Iron Works that once operated here, shaping the region for generations. Today, visitors walk through these same forests following trails that connect to the broader landscape.
Over 70 miles of marked trails crisscross the property for hiking, wildlife watching, and photography throughout the year. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring water, as routes cross rocky terrain and change elevation.
An old fire tower on a mountaintop offers sweeping views across the woodland and valleys below. The structure reveals how the region was once monitored and allows visitors today to see the entire protected area from above.
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