Coon Mountain Nature Preserve

Westport, Essex County

Coon Mountain is a naturalist's paradise and a viewer's dream. It is famous for its mysterious and craggy interior, with rocky outcrops and dark hemlock forests. Steep cliffs and talus slopes (accumulations of rock debris at the base of a cliff or steep mountain slope) reveal vistas of oak-pine forests, small fens and hardwood swamps.

Wildlife to Watch

  • Migratory songbirds
  • Broad-winged hawks
  • Porcupine

Where to Watch

  • Trails
  • Lookouts

Recreational Opportunities

  • Hiking (easy climb to the summit)
  • Bird watching (especially in the spring and early fall)

Size

318 acres

Closest Town

Westport

Directions

Go to Google Maps, and enter your address for step-by-step directions to Coon Mountain Nature Preserve. (This link will open a page outside the DEC website. Hold the "Shift" key down, and click on the link to open it in a new window.)

Contact Information

Telephone: 518-576-2400

Address: Halds Rd., Westport, NY

Website: Adirondack Land Trust (leaves DEC's website)

Photo Credits: Carl Heilman II, Adirondack Land Trust, Larry Master