Events

Hit the Trails: Winter Fun in Montgomery County

Posted on January 12, 2024

Getting outdoors and enjoying Montgomery County’s picturesque scenery doesn’t need to stop just because the snow has started to fly. While many love to hit the trails on their snowmobiles, and there are miles of trails to explore, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are two other great family-friendly ways to enjoy a winter day.

A man and a woman snowshoe at Schoharie Crossings State Historic Site.

Whether you’re exploring Wintergreen Falls, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site or one of our many other parks and hiking trails, there’s plenty of places to discover.

If you haven’t tried it before, snowshoeing is a great way to exercise and spend time with friends and loved-ones during the colder months. While many winter sports can be intimidating to take up, snowshoeing can be enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities. All you need to start is a pair of snowshoes and some warm clothes.

Once you’ve decided to get outdoors, here are some helpful tips to make sure you enjoy the experience.

Start Small and Work Toward Bigger Hikes – If it’s your first time snowshoeing make it a manageable activity. You don’t want to start with a long up-and-down mountain trail if it’s your first time strapping on your snowshoes. Start at your local park or ball fields. Explore flat ground where you can reasonably walk before moving on to more difficult trails.
Bring a Friend or Loved-One – Nothing is more fun than spending time with someone whose company you enjoy. Snowshoeing is no different. Bring a loved-one or a friend whose skill level matches yours, so that both of you enjoy the activity.
Dress According to the Conditions – Snowshoeing can be an invigorating activity with positive health benefits, but you have to be prepared. As with other winter activities, it’s important to dress for the weather with warm boots, hats, gloves and proper outerwear. Remember, conditions in the winter can change fast, so be sure to check the weather before you set out and layer cold weather clothing accordingly to ensure you are prepared. When in doubt, remember the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
Don’t Forget the Essentials – Yes, you need winter clothing and snowshoes, but with all winter sports it’s important to remember the other essentials. Water, sun protection and a healthy snack will make your hike more enjoyable and have you ready to go back out again.

Snowshoeing isn’t the only outdoor activity that’s great family fun. The Erie Canalway Trail offers miles of perfect conditions for cross country skiing enthusiasts. Set out from one of the many public parking areas along the trail and enjoy historic sites, scenic vistas and more. You can also find prime conditions at many of the same parks and historic sites enjoyed by snowshoers.

Don’t Let Snow Slow Down Your Fun in the Sun

Posted on February 3, 2023

When the temperatures start to drop, many people shy away from outdoor activities. But just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy everything that makes Montgomery County unique and beautiful. Just remember to dress accordingly.

Whatever your passion, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this time of year.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, Canajoharie’s Wintergreen Park, the Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest in Charleston, and the Landis Arboretum are just a few of the many forest preserves and nature trails that dot Montgomery County’s landscape. Each trail offers cross-country skiers and snowshoers incredible natural vistas, and exciting opportunities for short, intermediate or full-day outings.

Located near the confluence of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River, visitors to Schoharie Crossing SHS will encounter the remains of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct (pictured), which harkens to earlier times in our nation’s history. Further along the trail, sightseers can explore early sections of the world-famous Erie Canal.

Looking for something a little bit more fast paced? Snowmobilers can be found crisscrossing Montgomery County daily on the nearly 200 miles of groomed trails. Maintained by a network of local snowmobile clubs, Montgomery County’s trails offer fun rides, attractive scenery and welcoming stops along the way. Click on the map to plan your next ride and then visit the dining section of our “Things To Do” page, to find the perfect stop along your route.

These are just a few of the ways you can enjoy the great outdoors in Montgomery County all winter long. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more suggestions and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube page.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO HOST 250THCELEBRATION FOR HISTORIC TRYON COUNTY

Posted on August 17, 2022

In celebration of the 250^th anniversary of historic Tryon County, Montgomery County will host a community celebration that will feature a presentation and curatorial exhibition prepared by the County’s Department of History and Archives; bus tours of the associated historic sites; reenactors from 1^st and 3^rd Tryon County Militia groups; 2nd Regt. Albany County Militia; goods for sale by local artisans; and activities for kids courtesy of the Utica Children Museum’s mobile museum.

Preceding the Declaration of Independence, Tryon County was carved from Albany County in March of 1772 and was comprised of territory as far north as the St. Lawrence River, as far south as the Pennsylvania border, and as far west as the territories of the Six Nations. The county was name in honor of William Tryon, the last provincial governor of New York. It featured prominently during the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Oriskany, which was fought on August 6, 1777, between 740 Tryon militiamen, supported by 60 allied Oneidas, and the British Army.

Montgomery County’s Tryon County 250^thcelebration will also feature a chicken barbecue to benefit the Montgomery County Heritage & Genealogical Society. Additional information about Tryon County can be found HERE (opens in a new tab) .

WHO: Kelly Farquhar, Montgomery County Historian

Norm Bollen, President, Mohawk Country Association

WHERE: Old Montgomery County Courthouse

9 Park Street Fonda, NY 12068-1500

WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2022

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

First Bus Tour Departure

11:30 a.m.

Presentation by the Montgomery County Historian

12:15 p.m.

Second Bus Tour Departure
12:30 p.m.

Third Bus Tour Departure
1:30 p.m.

Like our event on Facebook:

https://fb.me/e/1TCHv4hRO (opens in a new tab)

Firework’s Displays in the County for the Holiday weekend and beyond!

Posted on June 30, 2022

Here is a line-up of Firework’s displays happening in the County over the Holiday Weekend and beyond.

For a full list of events happening in the county, please check our Event Calendar HERE.

Saturday, July 02, 2022

Amsterdam Mohawks Game, Shuttleworth Park, Crescent Ave, Amsterdam
- After Game

Sunday, July 03, 2022

Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest, Riverlink Park
- 9:30 PM

4^th on the Weekend, Wiles Park, Fort Plain
- Fireworks at dusk

Firecracker 50, Fonda Speedway, Fonda
- After Race

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Wishfest, Riverlink Park, Amsterdam
- At Dusk

After the 4^th Celebration, Village of Fonda Recreation Park, Park St, Fonda
- 9:00 PM

Great Outdoors Month Events Planned at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on May 26, 2022

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will celebrate June as Great Outdoors Month by offering fun opportunities to enjoy the outdoor spaces at the Erie Canal site. Great Outdoors Month is a month-long celebration of responsible, healthy outdoor recreation on local, state, and federal lands and waters.

The return of Putman Porch Music on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm will be a great way to enjoy an evening of musicians jamming Americana, Roots, Bluegrass, and Folk tunes. Kicking off on June 2nd, this series invites local musicians to come spend an evening on the historic Putman Canal Store porch to jam and enliven the vibe of the former Erie Canal stop off. Putman’s store building is located at Yankee Hill Lock on the grounds of Schoharie Crossing, 553 Queen Anne Road. Much like a group of canawlers that happen to be stuck waiting at the lock, a few instruments and strong voices is all that is needed to pass the time.

Get outdoors and peddle your way on World Bicycle Day, June 3rd at 6:00pm from Yankee Hill Lock to Karen’s Ice Cream. This staff lead ride will be along the Empire State Trail, covering three miles each way. The site encourages families to participate and enjoy a delicious ice cream cone before riding back.

On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4th, Schoharie Crossing is collaborating with ECOS: The Environmental Clearinghouse to offer a paddle on the Schoharie and Mohawk River starting at 9am and a guided nature–walk at 1pm from the Visitor Center. Bring your canoe or kayak to the Schoharie Aqueduct Boat-launch on Dufel Rd, just off NYS Rt. 5S for a leisurely paddle to explore the nature and history of these waterways. Overall, we’ll paddle about three miles and discover some fascinating connections this spot has to places near and far. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the paddle and before the nature walk, starting from 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter. We’ll traverse about a mile of the old canal towpath, were mules once pulled barges. Now, these paths are lined with interesting plants, wildflowers, birds, and other critters we might see along the way.

Saturday, June 18th we’ll host a picnic at Empire Lock as we celebrate International Picnic Day. At 11:30am, we’ll take a short half-mile walk from our Visitor Center to Empire Lock to enjoy a Bring Your Own Picnic together.This is a great way to spend part of the day before Father’s Day! Discover some beauty among the towpath trail and historic Erie Canal features. The site will provide a Picnic Basket Shuttle, transporting your lunch and keeping it safe from Yogi.

These events are a fun way to add miles to the Canalway Challenge, a program sponsored by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. More information on this free challenge can be found online at: https://eriecanalway.org/canalway-challenge

To wrap up the month, on Tuesday, June 28th at 6:30pm the Friends of Schoharie Crossing host environmental educator and author, Anita Sanchez for Puddles! “There’s nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife. They also provide a key ingredient for many animal homes: mud!” This hands-on program will introduce naturalists to the animals that use puddles as a habitat. We’ll meet some puddle-loving creatures, including snails, and have some close-up experience with mud.

The grounds for the site are open all year from sunrise to sunset. Visitor Center hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm. Group reservations available for off hours.

For information about these events or what is available at Schoharie Crossing, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516 or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov. Find and like us on Facebook. For more information about New York State Parks, visit the website at www.nysparks.com.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

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Putman Porch Music at Yankee Hill Lock. Photo Credit: Halldor Sigurdsson

Labor Songs and Opening Day at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on April 27, 2022

The Erie Canal historic site, Schoharie Crossing will be opening their Visitor Center for the 2022 season on Sunday, May 1^st at 1pm. The site will be celebrating with a performance by Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle, who will be offering their “Labor Union Song’s” program at 2pm outside the Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter.

The labor unions in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s were particularly strong in solidarity and activism, and even included songs to motivate and give hope. Musicians Gibson and Staudle present a variety of these songs, as well as historic narrative about the development and progress of the Labor Union movement, which includes a passage about the historic Mohawk Valley Formula negotiation system. The program is an open-air concert that will be held near the Visitor Center lasting about 45 minutes and is family friendly. Please dress for the weather and bring lawn chairs.

Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle are award winning songwriters and singers and live near the Adirondacks in upstate New York. As a duo, they have been performing for twelve years, and tour both regionally and nationally.

The Visitor Center will have open hours until the end of October: Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sundays 1pm to 4pm. Closed Monday’s and Tuesdays. Groups or off-hour reservations are available.

For more information about these programs or the historic site, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit www.parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schohariecrossing.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town–Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

Posted on February 16, 2022

What to Expect

If you’re looking to venture outside during the winter in Montgomery County, the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is a perfect place for a day trip. It’s an ideal location for those looking to spend time outdoors. It’s suitable for those who prefer paths shorter in distance with minimal difficulty. Dogs are permitted. The site is only 5.2 miles from the Thruway.

Walking bridge at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. — Participants cross a walking bridge at the Schoharie Crossing during a Winter Walk held on Jan. 26.

If you’re from Upstate, you know the weather is unpredictable. Especially during the winter months. Boots and warm layers are recommended. When there’s enough of the white, fluffy stuff, you could also pack your cross country skis or snowshoes. Another thing to keep in mind for your day trip, is it’s a prime opportunity to bird watch! You can check out some of the species people have observed at the Schoharie Crossing on eBird.

Background

If it’s your first time visiting — the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century’s greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Schoharie Crossing has a Visitor Center that exhibits traces of history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation. Currently, the Visitor Center is open by Reservation only – you can call to schedule a time to visit the Pathway to Empire Exhibit. The Visitor Center

Historical Plaque Schoharie Crossing — Montgomery County Economic Development Staff Assistant Andrew Santillo pictured viewing a historical plaque on the Woodchuck Walk at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.

will reopen for regular hours May 1. The site grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Stay updated by following the Schoharie Crossing on Facebook or Instagram.

Within the site’s boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal’s development. As you walk behind the Visitor Center lies the ‘Woodchuck Walk’ – formerly the towpath of the original Erie Canal. Along this trail
are historical plaques providing history of the area that you’re walking through. The ‘Woodchuck Walk’ is about a one-half mile long hike out to an original Erie Canal Lock that lays adjacent to an Enlarged Era Canal Lock. There are two walking bridges across the lock. These allow you to stand in-between the old locks. Old locks create a story of what once was a bustling area with barges and other small boats bringing goods to and from the area in the 19th century.

Once you go across the two lock bridges, you can continue on the Towpath trail to the Yankee Hill lock, which is about two miles further or you can head back on the trail toward the Visitor Center. The Towpath Trail, which is a half of a mile, leads to the site’s largest structure the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Creek.

Schoharie Creek Aqueduct in Montgomery County, NY. — A view of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct during the winter.

It’s a perfect place to take a picture before you end your walk.

If you are interested in more of a guided visit, Education Director at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, David Brooks will be hosting a Winter Walk event on February 23 at 1 p.m., weathering permitting.

Dining

If you are looking to grab a bite to eat following your visit, hop on Route 5S and head eastbound toward the South Side of Amsterdam. There are a number of restaurants to choose from. Whether you grab takeout from DomAdi’s and a craft beer to bring home from Southside Beverage, or sit down at Evolve Eatery , Lorenzo’s Southside, Shorty’s Southside Tavern, Herk’s Tavern or Southside Slice, you really can’t go wrong! A visit to the Schoharie Crossing is a day trip suitable for all four seasons. If you come back in the spring, Karen’s Produce & Ice Cream is a must visit.

Whenever you choose to be a Tourist in Your Own Town, or bring someone from outside the area to explore, Montgomery County will not disappoint.

Be A Tourist in Your Own Town: Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest: Home to Montgomery County’s First Disc Golf Course

Posted on October 22, 2021

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town- Thomas H Burbine Memorial Forest- Home to Montgomery County’s First Disc Golf Course

Disc golf is here in Montgomery County! A new course, designed by sport enthusiast Mark Hay, opened in the Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest, a 330-acre woods in the town of Charleston last fall.

Maintained by Hay and a dedicated group of volunteers, the course is drawing disc golf enthusiasts from the Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, and beyond. Montgomery County Executive Matt Ossenfort is one of the first and biggest supporters of the project. “Not many folks even know Montgomery County has its own forest, and what we’re trying to do through initiatives like “Be a Tourist in your own Hometown” is to remind people of the great assets that we have,” Ossenfort has said.

Within the first moments of walking through the trees to the first hole, I can see why people would adore this sport. What a luxury to have this course right in Montgomery County.

Mark’s passion for the game is shown right after the first throw. And it is a good throw, right through the tall pines.

Disc golf is similar to golf in that it has 18 holes, and each hole has a par number as a goal to hit. There are different kinds of discs for different kinds of throws, such as drivers and putters, and the objective is to put a disc, rather than a ball, into a basket. All you need is a book bag and a small startup investment for the discs. When we get to the basket, it is music to your ears when you throw the disc and hear the chains rattle as you “sink” the disc. We all cheer each other on as we go through the course.

Principal designer and Disc Golf Enthusiast Mark Hay

You walk the 2 mile course. It was a pleasure to walk the course with Mark and hear his story and how he thought the Burbine Forest would be a serene and perfect spot for the game. Mark’s heart is truly here at Burbine, as he learned the game a couple years ago, and found a core crew of family and friends to turn this dream into a reality. They volunteer their time and effort to add professional design and tee boxes to the course. Where the course is a little muddy, volunteers take the time to design and build bridges. You can see and feel the dedication to make this course not only a favorite for players, but a pristine Montgomery County tourism attraction as well.

This is a socially distanced sport you can play all year long.

My favorite spot was hole 10. For the advanced player, you must throw the disc across a pond! It was great to see Mark make it over the pond, and share stories of players attempting to make it across. There are quite a few discs in the pond, so many that Montgomery County diver Aaron Robinson has used his skills assisting the course with disc recovery! The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department has been such a wonderful partner, and everyone appreciates Aaron his own time and using his own equipment to perform this task.

Aaron Robinson takes a dive in the pond for disc recovery! (Pictures from https://www.facebook.com/nymcso – Montgomery County Sheriff’s Facebook Page)

Mark Hay – making it across the pond on Hole 10.

Mark Hay, principal designer and advocate for the Disc Golf Course at the Thomas H Burbine Memorial Forest.

The afternoon was a perfect crisp fall day, and as I drove home, I realized I worked up a bit of an appetite, and dinner was still 3 hours away. I was driving past the Rustic Red House- at Glen Country Store (https://www.facebook.com/rusticredhouse) and it was a perfect moment for a nice cup of soup. All the menu items are homemade, and if you wanted something more, they have made to order meals and sandwiches (with boars head cold cuts). Also nice sweet treats to enjoy and take home.

Another local owned business and big disc golf supporter is The Stockyard Public House (https://www.thestockyardpublichouse.com/), which opens at 4pm Tuesday-Friday, and 1pm Saturday and Sunday. The Stockyard has great homemade meals as well, and live music on the weekends.

Wherever you travel from, whether the country roads or the NYS Thruway, there are many restaurants and shops to visit. For a full listing-please visit www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com

Thank you to Mark Hay and Morgan McClary for sharing this experience with me. I can’t wait to buy some discs and try again.

Anne Boles

Director of Tourism Development

Montgomery County Tourism

www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com

tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org

Tentrr Yankee Hill Getaway- Book your experience today!

Posted on August 31, 2021

Wedged between Adirondack and Catskills parks, the Tentrr Yankee Hill Getaway campsite lies on a thin strip of land in the middle of the old Erie Canal and the modern-day Barge Canal system. This area is teeming with places to bike, hike and explore the region’s rich history. At the eastern end of the site is the Putnam Lock Stand, a historic general store that used to sell dry goods, meat, groceries, liquors and literature to canal travelers. All campsites are on the open lawn with tents facing the Mohawk River/Erie Canal. An included pop-up tent can house additional campers (up to 4). Kick back and soak up the view from your Adirondack chairs. Your group can enjoy the included fire pit, grill, picnic table and benches during your stay. If you’re hungry after a day of adventure, the nearby town of Amsterdam (3 miles) also has several local restaurants and cafes as well as Riverlink Park which hosts outdoor concerts and has a boat dock. For the paddlers in the family, there is a self-service kayak rental kiosk on the campsite run by Upstate Kayak Rentals.

Link for reservations: https://www.tentrr.com/s/sites/?q=yankee+hill+getaway&refinementList[badge_type_display][0]=State+Park+Site

Link for Tentrr x On the Canals: www.tentrr.com/onthecanals

Link to press release: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-new-camping-opportunities-along-new-york-states-canals-summer#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20Governor%20Cuomo’s,On%20the%20Canals%22%20excursion%20opportunity.

Paddle the Mohawk Valley Set for August 7!

Posted on July 12, 2021

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is inviting people to sign up now for Paddle the Mohawk Valley, Saturday, August 7 from 9am-1pm. Participants will paddle the scenic and historic Mohawk River through Erie Canal Locks 11 and 12 and past several islands on this 5.5-mile guided half-day trip. Paddlers will start at Schoharie Crossing Boat Launch and paddle to Port Jackson/Amsterdam.

“We are eager to introduce people to paddling on the Erie Canal. Paddling safely together after a year of social isolation will be a wonderful way to celebrate and appreciate the recreational, scenic, and historic bounty of the Mohawk Valley,” said Mona Caron, Program Manager for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

“This summer is a season of economic recovery and finally getting back to the people and activities we love,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brain U. Stratton. “That’s why we’re incredibly excited to promote paddling on the historic and scenic Erie Canal, one of the premier waters ways in the Empire State which will allow New Yorkers and tourists alike to appreciate it in all its glory.”

Registration of $25 includes shuttle to and from parking and lunch. Kayak rentals are available for a fee. To register: http://paddlethemohawk2021.eventbrite.com

ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY
Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves our extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. www.eriecanalway.org

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Category: Day Trips