Dover Stone Church Preserve
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Park Overview:
Main feature: a short, moderate walk leads to a scenic brook and a dramatic natural cavern—the "Dover Stone Church" —through which water flows out and sunlight filters in.
Park Description:
This is a small-town preserve, which began in 2004 by offering a single short hike (about 1.2 miles round-trip from parking area). The scenic brook and cavern at the end of the trail make the Dover Stone Church — an extraordinary cave-like natural formation — a worthwhile destination. Inside the cavern is a 30-foot waterfall cascading into a pool of water that flows through and then out of the cavern entrance.
By 2015, additional parkland was acquired; three new trails were blazed and opened to the public.
The Dover Stone Church Visitor’s Guide provides a history and description of the site, including a map showing designated parking areas and the access path to the trailhead.
Trails Overview:
Use the Web Map link to view the network of trails. Access to the preserve is by foot along Stone Church Lane, a graveled private drive (0.4 mile, one way). The trailheads are at the top of the small rise at the end of the drive.
- The original Stone Church Cave Trail (0.2 mile from trailhead, pink blaze), while generally easy, follows close alongside the Stone Church Brook, and the rocks are often wet and slippery. High water may cover stepping-stones during rainy periods.
- From the trailhead, the path immediately descends on granite steps into a flat, man-made valley. Young maple trees that give a sense of formality to the start of the hike line the way here. At the end of this flat walk, another shorter set of steps takes the path into woods and near the brook. You emerge briefly into an open area, where a way is mowed in both directions. Turn left. You will see another welcome sign for the preserve. Follow the path across a wooden bridge, then along the streambed — the path often follows rocks or flat stones. It rises gently, and you are soon at the gothic-like entrance to the Stone Church cavern.
- To return, simply retrace your steps
- New trails include two providing “lollipop” hikes: Red Trail (1.0 mile, loop from trailhead); Yellow Trail (1.0 mile, loop from trailhead). Plus a Blue Trail (1.5 mile, out-and-back from trailhead). The Web Map link on this site shows a trail map and briefly describes level of difficulty for each.
Park Acreage:
170.00 acresMunicipality:
Dover PlainsMain feature: a short, moderate walk leads to a scenic brook and a dramatic natural cavern—the "Dover Stone Church" —through which water flows out and sunlight filters in.
This is a small-town preserve, which began in 2004 by offering a single short hike (about 1.2 miles round-trip from parking area). The scenic brook and cavern at the end of the trail make the Dover Stone Church — an extraordinary cave-like natural formation — a worthwhile destination. Inside the cavern is a 30-foot waterfall cascading into a pool of water that flows through and then out of...
Park Acreage:
170.00 acresMunicipality:
Dover PlainsContact Information
Web Link:
Town of DoverPhone:
(845) 832-6111Fees:
Not availableDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take NYS Route 22 to Dover Plains. Immediately south of the traffic light at Mill Street, look for blue-and-gold historic sign on west side of road for Dover Stone Church. The drive is private, but open for pedestrians; do not take cars up it. According to the Visitor’s Guide (linked elsewhere on this site) parking is permitted at the elementary school across the street when school is not in session; at the Tabor Wing House, 3128 Route 22; and at Four Brothers Restaurant, all within walking distance.
Stone Church Lane, Dover Plains, NY 12522 – GPS Coordinates: 41.739628, -73.581453
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Metro-North’s Dover Plains station stop is an easy quarter-mile walk. From the station proceed north to Mill Street, turn left. At Route 22, turn left, then in a short distance turn right onto Stone Church Lane and continue to the trailhead. Zoom in on Location Tab.
BUS TRANSPORT :
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The Dover Stone Church is one of the more interesting geological features in the Hudson Valley. It's a really short hike to the cave, but it's definitely worth the visit. I usually coordinate this with a trip to the Trevor Zoo and make a day out of it.
The first section of the hike is down a treelined path. The trees are still small, but someday this section of the trail should be shaded by some giant trees. This section leads to the creek that runs along the trail and up to a wooden bridge. Most people skip past this little field, but there is a nice pond here and some trails that most people skip. I'm not sure if these trails lead along the top of the gorge, but you used to be able to walk along it and up past the cave to some nice views of the water coming down the slopes above the Church.
The main attraction here is the Stone Church itself. There is a stone path that follows the creek to the cave with some nice cascades and rocks to sit on. At the entrance to the cave I once found a pineapple (Don't ask me how it got there). It was stuck underwater, but through some sly maneuvering, I managed to get it out. Apparently submerging pineapple makes them incredibly squishy and rotten, so it exploded in my hand and floated its way down the creek. It then became my mission in life to return this majestic pineapple to the sea. Sadly it only made it to the wooden bridge before sinking to the bottom, resting in the murky depths, never to be seen again.
Beside pineapples, the cave is filled with rocks that you can walk across to get deeper in the Church. In the winter, the walls will freeze over with icicles and gives it a completely different look. The Stone Church isn't huge (It's more of a Stone Studio) but it is extremely picturesque and a great spot for a short hike. It does get crowded here in the Summer, but if you go during the week or in the Winter, you can usually avoid people.