Cherry Plain State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cherry Plain State Park is a beautiful state park located in the Rensselaer County of New York.
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Summary
It covers an area of 175 acres and offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities for visitors. The park is known for its serene beauty, scenic views, and the diverse range of flora and fauna.
One of the main reasons to visit Cherry Plain State Park is for hiking and nature walks. The park has several hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The trails are well marked, making them easy to navigate, and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Another point of interest in Cherry Plain is the freshwater lake. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors can rent paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes from the park office. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, trout, and catfish.
In addition to hiking and lake activities, Cherry Plain State Park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and campsites. The park is an excellent destination for families, as it offers something for people of all ages and interests.
Interesting facts about Cherry Plain State Park include that it was originally a family farm and was later purchased by the state in the 1960s. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, foxes, and raccoons.
The best time to visit Cherry Plain State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is open for swimming and boating. However, the park is also open year-round and offers activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Overall, Cherry Plain State Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a beautiful and peaceful park that offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages and interests.
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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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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CHERRY PLAIN STATE PARK Campgrounds
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Cherry Plain State Park
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Pittsfield State Forest
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Sites 11, 12, 13
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Stoney Ledge Group Site
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Birch Group Site
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Stewart Preserve
Lanesboro State Natural Area
Balance Rock State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park
Mount Greylock State Reservation