Highlights of Graff Sanctuary are the mature forest with large tulip trees and sugar maples.

Please remember that a sanctuary is where all life is respected. Please do not injure or remove any animals or plants from our sanctuaries.

Graff Sanctuary is a good place to enjoy hiking, birding, and quiet views over the surrounding woodland. Dogs are permitted on leashes. Please do pick up after your dog.

Sugar maple leaves in autumn

Please also remember that all of our sanctuaries are closed to visitors between dusk and dawn. We are grateful for the continuing care of our sanctuary neighbors in protecting these special habitats.

For protection of the wildlife and habitat and the enjoyment and safety of our visitors, camping, fires, biking, hunting and motorized vehicles are not permitted in any of our sanctuaries.

Sanctuary History
Graff Sanctuary's 30 acres were donated by Howard Graff to the National Audubon Society in 1975. Responsibility for managing the sanctuary was assigned to our chapter.

In 1991, ownership of the sanctuary was transferred to Saw Mill River Audubon.

The history of the stone structure at Graff Sanctuary is somewhat uncertain. It is reputed to have been a structure for storing water for the nearby railroad.

Road Directions
Graff Sanctuary is on Furnace Dock Road, west of Route 9A and north of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. [See Trail Map]

From Route 9A north of Croton, turn left onto Furnace Dock Road and continue ¼ mile. The sanctuary entrance is marked with a sign on the left. There is limited parking only on the right-hand side of Furnace Dock Road.

To reach a walking path along the river, drive further west on Furnace Dock Road to a parking area at the old site of a railroad station. The bridge over the tracks here is unsafe. Continue around the curve and you will come to a pull-off area on your left with a trail going out to a rocky shore along the river. (This is Oscawana Park property.)

An alternate entrance to Graft Sanctuary is located on Briggs Lane. Going north on Route 9A from Croton, turn left on Warren Road, (opposite Scenic Drive). Go one block and turn right, onto Briggs Lane. Drive to the end of this cul-de-sac and park. There is a sign on the left at the trailhead marked "SMRAS". The sanctuary entrance path starts up and crosses left over the private residential driveway of the last house on Briggs Lane. Please be careful to respect the privacy of nearby residences.

Visitor Information

All of our sanctuaries are open to visitors free of charge, seven days a week, dawn to dusk. Please contact our office if you want to bring a group to one of our sanctuaries.
[Contact office]

With advance notice, we may be able to provide your group with a guided tour. Even if your group wishes to visit without a guide, please contact us in advance. For the best possible experience for your group, we want to ensure that your visit does not coincide with another group's visit. [More About Sanctuary Tours]

Our sanctuaries are maintained by a part-time caretaker and volunteers on trail maintenance days. A group of volunteer "Trail Walkers" monitors individual sanctuaries and reports on their conditions.[More About Trail Walkers]

Online Maps for Sanctuaries with Walking Trails

[Brinton Brook Sanctuary] [Choate Sanctuary] [Graff Sanctuary]
[Haas Sanctuary] [Pinecliff Sanctuary] [Pruyn Sanctuary]

We also invite you to consider joining us as a member.

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