James A. Caples Memorial Park

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Last Updated: December 6, 2025

James A.


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Summary

Caples Memorial Park is situated in the town of Ancram, New York. The park is located on the east bank of the Roeliff Jansen Kill, a scenic river that flows through the area. There are several reasons to visit the park, including hiking, nature observation, picnicking, and camping. The park has an extensive trail system that runs through the surrounding woods, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the area's diverse flora and fauna. The park's points of interest include a 100-foot waterfall, a historic grist mill, and a covered bridge that spans the Roeliff Jansen Kill. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, beavers, and bald eagles.

Interesting facts about the area include its history as a site of early Dutch settlement, and its role in the American Revolution as a strategic location for both the Continental and British armies. The park is named in honor of James A. Caples, a local resident and conservationist who played a key role in preserving the area's natural beauty.

The best time of year to visit James A. Caples Memorial Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. Fall is also a beautiful time to visit, as the leaves change color and the park takes on a vibrant, autumnal hue. Visitors should note that the park is closed during the winter months due to inclement weather conditions.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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