Robert V. Riddell State Park North

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Robert V.


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Summary

Riddell State Park North is a 1,000-acre park in Otsego County, New York. The park is located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.

One of the main draws of the park is its extensive trail system, which includes over 12 miles of hiking trails that wind through the forested hills and along the banks of the Schenevus Creek. The park also features several ponds and a small lake, which are popular spots for fishing and swimming.

In addition to its natural beauty, Robert V. Riddell State Park North is also home to several historic sites, including the remains of an early 19th-century grist mill and a series of stone walls that were built by early settlers in the area.

Visitors to the park can also take part in a variety of educational programs and events, including guided nature walks, birdwatching tours, and workshops on topics like nature photography and outdoor survival skills.

The best time of year to visit Robert V. Riddell State Park North depends on your interests. Spring and summer are great for hiking and fishing, while fall offers spectacular foliage views. Winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the park's trails.

Overall, Robert V. Riddell State Park North is a beautiful and diverse outdoor destination that offers something for everyone.

       

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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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