Graff Sanctuary
Graff Sanctuary is a 29-acre property protecting a woodland ridge overlooking the Hudson River in between Furnace Dock Road and Briggs Lane in the Town of Cortlandt.
Along the trails of Graff Sanctuary are many beautiful trees and several interesting rock formations including glacial erratics, large boulders different in composition from the surrounding bedrock left behind when glacial ice moved through the Hudson Valley.
The easiest parking and trail access is at the end of Briggs Lane where a private driveway cuts across SMRA land and is also initial access to the sanctuary trails.
Park on Briggs Lane being careful not to block our neighbors’ driveways and then walk up the last driveway on Briggs Lane veering to left to follow trail along stone wall following the red trail.
Please contact our office in advance if you want to bring a group of more than 6 people and/or three cars to any one of our sanctuaries. Parking is very limited and there are other groups regularly scheduled to meet at our sanctuaries.
With advance notice, we also may be able to provide your group with a guided walk.
Even if your group wishes to visit without an Audubon guide, please contact us in advance to let us know when you will be visiting and the estimated number of vehicles and visitors in your group. Thank you.
sanctuary history
The history of the stone structure (pictured above) at Graff Sanctuary is somewhat uncertain but it is believed to have been used for water storage as part of the Oscawana property on the other side of Furnace Dock Road.
Graff Sanctuary was donated by Howard Graff to the National Audubon Society in 1975 with Saw Mill River Audubon responsible for sanctuary management.
In 1991, ownership of Graff Sanctuary transferred to Saw Mill River Audubon.
