🏔️ 590 Acres of Military Ruins and Mountain Bike Trails in the Hudson Valley — 30 Minutes from Manhattan — Blauvelt State Park in Rockland County, New York, 590 acres of hardwood forest along the Hudson River Palisades, site of Camp Bluefields (WWI/WWII military rifle range), concrete bunkers and target walls in the woods, Long Path hiking trail, mountain biking, part of Palisades greenbelt, views of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge — Orangetown, NY
Thirty minutes north of Manhattan, in Rockland County, 590 acres of hardwood forest cover a ridgeline above the Hudson River. Buried in the woods: concrete bunkers, tunnel systems, and target walls from a military rifle range that operated from 1910 through World War II.
Blauvelt State Park is what happens when the Army leaves and the forest moves back in. Camp Bluefields trained National Guard soldiers and ROTC cadets for two world wars. Now the bunkers are trail features, the firing lanes are singletrack, and the Long Path runs through it all on its 350-mile route from Fort Lee to Albany.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Hiking | Network of trails through dense hardwood forest. Includes a section of the Long Path — a 350-mile trail from Fort Lee, NJ to near Albany. Rocky terrain, forest canopy, and hidden military ruins along the way |
| Mountain Biking | Designated shared-use trails maintained by Palisades MTB in cooperation with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Mix of beginner and intermediate singletrack through the forest. Yield to hikers |
| Military Ruins | Concrete target walls (butts), underground tunnels, and bunkers from Camp Bluefields — the Army rifle range that operated here from 1910 through WWII. The ruins are scattered throughout the forest, slowly being reclaimed by nature |
| Greenbelt Connection | Blauvelt connects to Clausland Mountain County Park, Tackamack Town Park, and Buttermilk Falls County Park — forming a continuous greenbelt along the Hudson Palisades |
| Wildlife | White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, hawks, and songbirds in the hardwood canopy. The forest is dense enough to feel wild despite its proximity to New York City |
Camp Bluefields History
| Era | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1910 | The Blauvelt Rifle Range opens to train New York National Guard soldiers. The Army builds target walls, bunkers, and tunnel systems for safe personnel movement across the firing range |
| 1913 | The Palisades Interstate Park Commission takes over the property after complaints about stray bullets reaching nearby residential areas in South Nyack and Grand View |
| WWI–WWII | The site serves as YWCA summer camp, ROTC training camp, and WWII infiltration course for soldiers from nearby Camp Shanks — the massive embarkation point that processed 1.3 million troops for Europe |
| Present | The forest has reclaimed the military infrastructure. Concrete bunkers sprout trees from their roofs. Tunnels fill with leaves. The ruins are one of the most unusual trail features in the Hudson Valley |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 🍂 Hudson Valley foliage at its peak. Hardwood forest blazing with color. Military ruins framed by autumn leaves. Best hiking weather |
| Spring (Apr–May) | 🌸 Wildflowers on the forest floor. Migrating warblers in the canopy. Trails drying out. Mountain biking season begins |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full canopy shade. Warm and humid. Mountain biking. The dense forest provides relief from summer heat |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Bare trees reveal the military ruins and Hudson River views. Snow hiking. Quiet. The bunkers look their most dramatic in winter light |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the military ruins safe to explore?
The ruins are accessible but unstructured. Concrete walls, tunnel entrances, and bunkers are scattered through the forest. Use caution — surfaces can be slippery and structures are deteriorating. There are no guided tours or interpretive signs. Bring a flashlight for tunnel exploration.
Is it really close to NYC?
Yes — about 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge and Palisades Interstate Parkway. Parking is limited — arrive early on weekends. The park is in Orangetown, between Nyack and Orangeburg.
More parks nearby: Tallman Mountain State Park is a short drive away, while Hook Mountain State Park lies a short drive away.
🏔️ The Army Left. The Forest Moved Back In.
590 acres of hardwood forest growing over WWI bunkers and WWII infiltration courses. The Long Path runs through it. Mountain bikes weave around concrete ruins. And Manhattan is 30 minutes south.
