Bennett Hill Preserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bennett Hill Preserve is a 648-acre nature preserve located in the Genesee Valley region of New York State.
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Summary
The preserve offers visitors an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.
One of the primary reasons to visit Bennett Hill Preserve is to enjoy the hiking trails. The preserve offers over 10 miles of trails that wind through diverse terrain, including forests, fields, and wetlands. The trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate, making them accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Another point of interest at Bennett Hill Preserve is the variety of wildlife that can be observed in the area. The preserve is home to a number of different bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and hawks. Additionally, visitors may spot deer, foxes, and other mammals during their visit.
One interesting fact about Bennett Hill Preserve is that it is located on land that was once used for farming. The preserve's founders worked to restore the land to its natural state, and visitors can now enjoy the fruits of those efforts.
The best time of year to visit Bennett Hill Preserve depends on visitors' interests. Spring offers an opportunity to see wildflowers in bloom, while summer is a great time for birdwatching. Fall is a popular time to visit the preserve for its stunning foliage, while winter offers the chance to enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Bennett Hill Preserve is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers visitors a chance to connect with nature in a variety of ways.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Thompsons Lake State Park
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Joralemon Memorial Park