Wonder Lake State Park
380 Ludingtonville Road
Holmes, NY 12531
- General Information: (845) 225-7207
Converted from a 1920's summer home in the town of Patterson, Wonder Lake is a hiker's delight of 8.6 miles of marked trails. Walk on what were historically bridle trails around scenic Wonder Lake in this 1133 acre area. Get in touch with nature around the 3-acre Laurel Pond.
Take the Highlands Trail, a trail established in NJ and in NY west of the Hudson River that is expanding to eventually traverse 4 states - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Experience the first segment in Putnam County. When completed, the Highlands Trail in NY and NJ will extend over 200 miles from the Connecticut border to the Delaware River. The route will connect major scenic attractions in both states.
Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, birding or hunting, Wonder Lake has it all.
Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near the park -
- Atlantic Kayak Tours: Offering different kayak tours and instructional programs
- Appalachian Trail: A portion of the AT runs through Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks
- Canopus Beach: A large sandy beach offering swimming, boating and picnic areas
- Martin Hugh McGuire Hemlock-Northern Hardwood Area: A newly dedicated area of the Bird Conservation Area, located in the campground.
- Hudson Highlands State Park: Home of the consistently #1 rated Trail in America, the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
Dogs are permitted on trails on a leash of not more than 10 feet.
1498 Route 301Carmel, NY 10512
Hours of Operation
Park Hours: Open dawn to dusk
The Park Office is located at Fahnestock State Park.
Maps
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
The lake is surrounded by mountain laurel and eastern hemlock. The lake area is also home to otter, barred owls, and coyote.
A.L. Cushman, owner of Cushman's Bakeries in New York, fell in love with his summer home in the Town of Patterson, and began acquiring property in the 1920's. In the early 30's he hired local residents to clear bridle trails within his large holdings, allowing them to take any lumber removed for their own use during the winter. He also had them dam a stream in the center of the property, creating 30 acre Wonder Lake, as well as 3 acre Laurel Pond just to its north.
In 1993, "Skip" Montgomery, a son of Robert Montgomery (Hollywood actor/director), and family friends of the Cushmans, returned to Patterson to assist the Cushman heirs in developing a portion of the estate, especially focusing on protecting the extensive hiking opportunities on the land he camped and hiked in his youth.
A Park is Born
Wonder Lake State Park was acquired 1998 by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The land purchased was without road frontage, leaving it without access. In 2006, the State rectified the access problems by purchasing additional acres and constructing the current parking lot on Ludingtonville Road. An additional parcel was purchased in 2010 bringing the total to 1133 acres. The yellow blazed bridle path was first opened by OPRHP in 2007. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference was then invited to design and construct additional hiking trails.
As of 2012, there are 8.6 miles of marked trails, with additional trails in the design stage for the east side of the park.
Amenities Information
- Amenities
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Documents
- Wonder Lake State Park Brochure (pdf)