Environmental Education

Outdoor Recreation

Youth Development

Welcome to the Shared Website of the

Rensselaer County Dyken Pond

Environmental Education Center and the

Friends of Dyken Pond Center, Ltd.

Together, Rensselaer County and the Friends of Dyken Pond collaborate to provide high quality environmental education, outdoor recreation and youth development opportunities at this special place called Dyken Pond.

Located in Grafton, New York, we are in the midst of the Rensselaer Plateau, an area of high elevation and New York’s fifth largest unfragmented forest. Over thirty-three ecological communities are found on the property, ranging from beech-maple forests to spruce-fir swamps, beaver ponds and vernal pools. This variety offers visitors an exciting blend of places to explore and enjoy.

We are a low-use recreational area. Open during daylight hours, the park features over 11 miles of trails for hiking,  bird watching and nature photography, with a launch for non-motorized boats, and areas on the shoreline for great fishing.  Four short trails are self-guiding, allowing you to learn of our plants and animals at your own pace. There is no swimming, open fires or collecting of any kind.

Visit, Play, Learn, Connect