hand hollow
Address
To enter at the Beaver Byway:
4079 County Route 9, East Chatham
To enter at the Lake Loop:
451 Gale Hill Road, East Chatham
Exact address number may
not correspond with the address.
Activities
Birding, fishing, foraging, hiking,
kayaking/canoeing, picnicking, walking
Features
Benches at overlooks, gazebo,
kayak launch, picnic tables, weak cell reception, medium trail traffic.
Size
2.5 miles of trails (out-and-back)
447 acres
Hand Hollow’s 447 acres include large forests, fishing opportunities at Meizinger Lake, and great birding opportunities. There are active beaver and great blue heron populations at this site, as well as a number of spring wildflowers. Water levels both in Meizinger Lake and the pond near the County Route 9 entrance may fluctuate depending on what the beavers are up to.
Hand Hollow is named after the Samuel Hand family who migrated from Massachusetts to settle in New Lebanon Springs in the late 1700s. The Hand Hollow Conservation Area includes a patchwork of former small family properties. It was made possible through the vision and generosity of the Rickey, Meizinger, and Winch families, as well as many community donors who value protecting open space.
Hand Hollow’s trails include a grass path, packed earth, and gravel turnpikes. Trails may be muddy after rain.
Hand Hollow is open to the public, for free, from dawn to dusk daily. Leashed dogs are allowed, please pick up after them. There are no restrooms available.