Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area
Due to the severe weather that occurred in May 2018, there are numerous blowdowns and damaged trees in and around the trail system for this property. Visitors are advised to exercise caution when using the trails.
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (845) 256-3076; R3admin@dec.ny.gov
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Town of Kent, Putnam County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 3N
- Map: Nimham State Multiple Use Area (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 1,054-acre Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area is named after Chief Daniel Nimham of the Wappingers tribe. This property is very popular with bikers, hikers and horseback riders and has an extensive network of trails and old roads. Forest cover is mainly mixed hardwoods with some conifer plantations. Please be aware that forest management activities, such as timber thinning or harvesting, may disrupt trail use at times. The forests here are managed to produce forest crops, maintain diverse wildlife habitats, protect water quality and provide recreational opportunities.
Arsenic mining occurred on portions of this property. Read the April 2019 fact sheet (PDF) to see what actions DEC is taking to address exposure.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Nimham Mountain MUA has approximately 10 miles of trails and unpaved forest access roads that allow for multiple kinds of recreation.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There are no designated campsites; however at-large backcountry camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Non-motorized boats can be launched from shore on Rinaldi Pond.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The trails and roads within the unit serve as multiple use trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Shore fishing is allowed on Rinaldi Pond.
Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Hunting & Trapping
General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Hunting and trapping are allowed during appropriate seasons. Various game species and furbearers found on the unit include white tail deer, pheasant, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.
Fire Tower
General information on fire towers includes historic and current uses of fire towers and links to other locations with fire towers.
The Nimham Mountain Fire Tower is an 82'6" steel tower with a 7' x 7' metal cab. It was constructed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and closed in 1989. The tower is on the National Historic Lookout Register. The Mount Nimham Fire Tower Restoration Project was organized by the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Commission in 2000 and since then, the tower has been restored and reopened to the public.
Horseback Riding
General information on horseback riding includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is a 0.76-mile trail in the south of the property that is currently maintained for horseback riding. The rest of trails and roads within the unit serve as multiple use trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Trails are maintained for horseback riding by the Putnam Horse Council, a local horseback riding group.
Proof of current negative Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate for their horses.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Nimham Mountain features an abundance of wildlife including, but not limited to white tail deer, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Nimham Mountain has two routes in the Motorized Access Program for People With Disabilities (MAPPWD). The 1.16-mile Rinaldi East Trail and the 0.79-mile Rinaldi West Trail are both open for ATV use by people with disabilities and an MAPPWD permit to allow for wildlife viewing. This use is allowed seasonally from mid-April to mid-December, depending on weather conditions.
Directions
- Nimham Mountain Fire Tower (41.461351°N, 73.725673°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Mount Nimham Court parking area #1, 4 car capacity (41.455945°N, 73.718886°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Mount Nimham Court parking area #3, 4 car capacity (41.454302°N, 73.721460°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Gipsy Trail Rd parking area, 30 car capacity, spots for 3 horse trailers (41.454492°N, 73.711029°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Nichols Street parking area, 6 car capacity (41.442505°N, 73.700655°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Nimham Mountain must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Species Rules
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.
Planning and Management
Nimham Mountain State Forest
DEC is developing a management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r3.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Timber stands are classified as either conifer plantations, meaning they were planted, or natural hardwoods, meaning they regenerate without human assistance. Stands of introduced pine, spruce or larch are planted in old farm fields, because they need open areas with direct sunlight to thrive. Such stands usually grow for about 80 to 100 years depending on species and soil conditions. They are usually managed by a series of partial thinnings. These thinnings provide sunlight openings in the canopy to encourage natural regeneration of native hardwoods. Removal of the conifer overstory in a final harvest allows hardwood seedlings to grow to maturity. There may be areas where the stand could be replanted with conifers if certain conditions exist.
Hardwood trees are not usually planted, as they spread vast amounts of seed and thereby naturally regenerate. Periodic thinning of hardwood forest stands through the sale of forest products gives the residual trees more growing space. This helps keep the forest healthy and provides openings for new seedlings, which in turn provide a revolving supply of food and cover for wildlife and are a source of future crop trees.
Hardwood stands are managed in either of two silvicultural styles, uneven aged or even aged. With uneven aged management, trees of all sizes and ages are maintained at all times throughout the stands, which will generally contain large trees giving an illusion of old growth. At Nimham Mountain, the hardwood stands were harvested just prior to state ownership. With even aged management, all of the hardwood trees within the stand are maintained at about the same age.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- White Pond Multiple Use Area
- California Hill State Forest
- Big Buck Multiple Use Area
- Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Putnam County Veteran Memorial Park (leaves DEC website)
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas, food and other supplies, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Fishkill, Mahopac, Hopewell Junction and Carmel.
Putnam County Tourism (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
