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Preserves & Trails

Foster-Blake Woods Preserve

A hiking and cross country skiing trail along the dramatic shoreline area known as the Palisades.

Location

37480 State Rte 12E, Clayton, NY 13624

Directions: From the intersection of Rt. 12 and Rt. 12E in Clayton, head west on Rt. 12E toward Cape Vincent for 3.7 miles. The parking area will be on the right (river side), just opposite Pelo Road.

Open daily from dawn to dusk!

Download Foster-Blake Woods Preserve Trail Guide
fall trees overlooking the blue water of the St. Lawrence River

Chris Murray Photography

ground level view of fungi on the forest floor during spring

Photo Credit Terra Bach

winter snow blankets the trail and covers all the trees and shrubs

Photo Credit Bridgett McCann

Fall leaves cover the forest floor, surrounded by tall trees with the sun peeking through making everything glow warm yellows and orange

Chris Murray Photography

the sun pokes between the trees during springtime at the Preserve. Between the trees. the blue of the St. Lawrence River comes through.

Photo Credit Terra Bach

Explore Foster-Blake Woods Preserve!

Explore the scenic beauty of the Foster-Blake Woods Preserve, where shoreline cliffs meet a mature northern hardwood forest. The nature trail is accessible for all ages, and offers a .75-mile looped trail for hiking and cross-country skiing that winds along the Palisades, with breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River. The trail splits into two arms, with one winding along the upper, steep ridge, offering stunning views of the forest and glimpses of the blue river peeking through.

Ecological importance

The shoreline of the Foster-Blake Preserve is made of sedimentary rock. The thin layers of rock, carved by glaciers and erosion, resemble a kind of geologic lasagna, and are clearly visible from the water. Its mature Northern Hardwood Forest provides views from rocky bluffs overlooking the St. Lawrence River islands, while scattered pockets of mixed shrubland and hardwoods, offer excellent bird habitat for nesting and foraging, as well as cover for small mammals and upland game birds.

Preserve History

Foster-Blake Woods stands as a testament to the vision and generosity of two Clayton residents, Rett Foster and Joseph Blake, who were outstanding stewards of the land and deeply committed to conserving the Thousand Islands region. In 2013, Rett’s wife, Judy Foster, donated the land to TILT to honor both her late husband and their neighbor, ensuring their shared love for this wooded retreat by the water would be protected for generations.

TILT Timeline

Preserve Spotlight

ATVs and snowmobiles are not permitted on the Preserve.

Trail Guide

Foster-Blake Woods Preserve is named for two Clayton men who were committed to conservation of the Thousand Islands region and were outstanding stewards of the land.

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