Pinecliff Sanctuary's boardwalk was built to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

An additional short woodland trail connects to the boardwalk loop and circles the ridge between the sanctuary and the Saw Mill River Parkway. [Trail Map]

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

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

Pinecliff Sanctuary offers a quarter mile wheelchair accessible boardwalk over and around a red maple swamp.

Pinecliff Sanctuary was first protected by the New Castle Land Conservancy. [History]

The wetlands of Pinecliff Sanctuary improve water quality, prevent flooding and provide habitat for wildlife and plants.

Pinecliff boardwalk showing exit
for nearby woodland trails

For humans, there are no restroom or picnicking facilities but the boardwalk benches are a great place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee! (Yes, you need to bring your own coffee.)

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.

Please park carefully at the end of Pinecliff Road being careful not to block our neighbors' driveways or the sanctuary entrance. Please do not park in the sanctuary's two marked handicapped spots unless you require that closer access to the boardwalk. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted on the boardwalk loop at Pinecliff Sanctuary.

Two paved handicapped parking spaces offer
close and easy access to the Pinecliff boardwalk.

Sanctuary History
Pinecliff Sanctuary's seven acres were donated by the Stern and Arleo families to the New Castle Land Conservancy in 1969 which merged with the Saw Mill River Audubon Society in 1975.

Completed in 1996, the wheelchair accessible boardwalk was made possible through the financial support from a Westchester County Community Development Block Grant, through numerous contributions from local organizations and businesses, and through the volunteer labor of Audubon members, friends and sanctuary neighbors.

A new entrance sign was added in the summer of 2007 through a New York legislative grant. Additional signage was added in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 through a grant from the Norcross Foundation.

Road Directions
Pinecliff Sanctuary is at the end of Pinecliff Road outside of the hamlet of Chappaqua, in the Town of New Castle. [Trail Map]

Pinecliff Road is off Route 120, Quaker Street, approximately 1/2 mile north of the Route 120-Chappaqua Exit of the Saw Mill River Parkway. Please drive slowly up Pinecliff Road and be aware of children at play. Parking is extremely limited; please park carefully so as not to block neighbors' driveways or the sanctuary entrance.

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]

Pinecliff Sanctuary is often visited by school and community groups. 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.

You can join Audubon online today
and be billed later for membership.