Constitution Marsh Sanctuary

Nice to get out of the city and enjoy some natural scenes on a perfect Sat morning, especially the driving was not that long. Many routes could be chosen based on the level of difficulty (and we chose level 3). The route itself was not that long however (less than 2 miles).
Perfect for a family trip or a group of friends. There was even a small spring!

A small area with scenery hiking path and easy access to Indian brook waterfalls (see my photos!) at the parking lot face the river, to your left is the waterfall, to the right is the hiking trial to the marsh. Worth a visit if you are in this neighborhood.
1. Good scenery
2. Limited parking
3. Short trail so less time demanding
4. Easy hike

One of my favorite places to hike with my family is in the sweet little town of Garrison, NY, about an hour north of Manhattan (even accessible by public transportation + short taxi ride). Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a 270-​acre tidal wetland along the Hudson River. After a brief hike through the woods, just enough for little kids, the trail opens up to a sprawling 700′ boardwalk which snakes through the marsh, allowing you to walk on the water and admire the views.
It’s about a one mile hike in total, from the car and back so perfect length for a family with young kids. Even though there is a brief steep ascent in the woods, there are steps made of stones to make it safe and interesting or little ones.
We started off walking down Warren Landing Road which starts from the tiny parking lot (only 8 spaces). Take the gravel road down a slight hill toward the sanctuary’s visitor center. Once you get to the visitor’s center, which is comprised of two houses, you can easily find the trail head at the end of the property. My 4 year old’s job is to find the trail markers whenever we hike, and since this was the first time her dad joined us here, she was happy to lead the way. At the peak of the hike you’ll find a bench which offers a fantastic view overlooking the mountains and West Point. Soon after this point you descend the little mountain and the view opens up to a sprawling boardwalk which runs through the marsh.
The marsh is a sanctuary that provides a foraging and nesting habitat to more than 200 species of birds and 30 species of fish. The boardwalk has a couple signs marked with birds and critters who live there. We’ve made this hike a few times and haven’t seen many, but I’m sure that’s because there’s nothing quiet about my exploring 4 year old. This gorgeous hike is such a wonderful way to get a giant taste of nature just an hour outside of NYC. I look forward to our next visit here.
Tips:
The parking lot only has 8 spaces. Don’t park along the road, the town will tow. If it’s full consider parking at the nearby train station and taking a taxi 845−265−8294 or 914−384−7061.
There is a bathroom at the Audubon Center.
There are no food options at the center.
You can rent canoes from the center, unfortunately I don’t have any information on this.
The hike is free.
This hike is not accessible with strollers or wheels.
There are a couple of steep points but I found it all very manageable with my daughter, she did this hike on her own as young as 3 years old.
This is a great place for a picnic.
Dogs are not allowed.
There is another great hike from the same parking lot to Indian Brook Falls, click here for our review on that fun hike.
For public Transportation: take Metro-​North railroad Hudson Line to Garrison Station or Cold Spring (visit the MTA for schedules).
Take taxi service from the train station to Constitution Marsh by reservation, call 845−265−8294 or 914−384−7061.
For more family fun ideas check out my blog:

Great nature preserve in Garrison. Lots of nice trails. They have a bunch of elevated walkways above the marsh which are really cool to walk on. If you in the area and want a nice hike and some pretty views head over to constitution marsh.

Amazing place.
1) You have the Indian Brook waterfalls which is a short walk from the parking lot.
2) The marsh is also a small walk away from the parking lot.
3) There is not too much space for parking. I would say about 8 cars can fit in the parking lot.
4) The hike is very easy, it might be used for a stroll after a harder hike.

Nice serene place with well marked trails.

G and I thought we would go and watch the last of the snow melt from a wonderful vantage point-​Constitution Marsh Sanctuary but rather than heading to the left this time, we went to the right past the NO PETS sign (ssssh!) and up and down and down and up for a lovely early Spring hike to overlook the marshland.
It is still early so the fairer weather’s flora and fauna were absent and the only sounds to accompany us on our hike were the trains below and the crows overhead and an occasional squirrel scurrying across the pathway in front of us. It is not a particularly long hike but it does involve some scrambling over rocks though they have done away with the rope and now have a «stairway» of larger stones. But for all this the reward is not only a heavenly view but a lovely handcrafted bench from which to observe it. We sat a while and took it all in before making our way down and back up that hill. We did that blue diamond trail well and I would happily go back again but perhaps without my verbotten hund. ;)))