Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Albany, Albany Co.

Explore this inland pine-barrens ecosystem (one of the few left in the world) and you might catch sight
of a silvery blue butterfly-the endangered Karner blue! This butterfly is dependent on the wild blue lupine
that grows only in the dry, sandy, open woods and clearings of the pine barrens.

Wildlife to Watch

• Karner blue butterfly
• Fisher, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, red fox and gray fox, coyote
• Eastern spadefoot toad, hognose snake, spotted turtle
• Bird species of interest:
  • American woodcock
  • great horned owl
  • indigo bunting
  • whip-poor-will
  • red-shouldered hawk
  • red-tailed hawk
  • gray catbird
  • brown thrasher
  • pine warbler
  • prairie warbler
  • ovenbird
  • common yellowthroat
  • eastern towhee
  • field sparrow

Where to Watch

• Albany Pine Bush Bird Conservation Area Map (PDF)
• Fire-dependent pitch pine-scrub oak barrens
• Vernal (spring) ponds
• Hardwood swamps, hardwood forests, deep ravines
• Sand dunes

Recreational Opportunities

• Fully accessible and interactive visitor center
• Extensive trail system for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding

Accessible Features

This site has accessible features that include a visitors center and trail. A full list of DEC's accessible recreation destinations is available on the DEC website.

Size:

3,100 acres

Closest Town

Albany

Directions

See Google Maps and enter your address for step by step directions to Albany Pine Bush Preserve. (leaves DEC website)

Contact information

Telephone: 518-456-0655

Address: 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205

Website: Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Photo Credits: Frank Knight, Wendy Craney, Walley Haley