Our grounds, trails, and playground are open daily from dawn to dusk.

873 Boston Post Road Rye, NY 10580
914.967.5150

Navigate with ease using our new interactive trail map! Discover trails, learn about the grounds, and more as you explore our nature center.

Hours

Office
September - May:
Monday – Saturday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

June - August:
Monday – Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Grounds
Open Daily Dawn Until Dusk

 

  • Guests of all ages can have fun at the Rye Nature Center! Check out the many features of our beautiful grounds below, which are open daily from dawn until dusk for all to enjoy, or learn more about our programs and activities.

  • Parking and admission to the Rye Nature Center are free! Memberships and donations allow us to stay open to the public from dawn to dusk. There is a donation bird located by the welcome kiosk near the parking lot if you would like to make a donation. Donations can also be made online.

    All contributions support FRNC’s Nature Access Fund initiatives, educational programs, and conservation efforts.

  • Bikes are not allowed on the trails. However, we encourage green transportation, so if you bike to the Rye Nature Center you can leave your bicycle at the bike rack by the welcome kiosk.

  • Dogs are not allowed on the Rye Nature Center grounds. We are rehabilitating sensitive wildlife that cannot be disturbed.

  • Our restrooms are located in our main building and are accessible during office hours.

    Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Sept - May)

    Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (June - Aug)

Have more questions? No worries! Head over to our FAQ page for helpful answers and feel free to reach out if you need further assistance. We're here to help!

Explore the Grounds

  • The Quarry

    Located by the Bunny and Ridgetop trails, this quarry was once mined for quartz to make wrist watches.

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    Be on the look out for the quarry’s three main minerals: quartz (white and clear), mica (shiny and reflective), and feldspar (salmony and tan). You can also find straight, unnatural-looking lines along the rocks––that’s where miners drilled in to blast the quarry.

  • Two benches on a rocky overlook

    The Overlook

    Located along the Deer Trail, the Overlook offers a bird’s eye view of the RNC grounds.

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    Take a break on a bench and look out over the forest! You can see part of the Small Pond, and if you’re lucky, you might see a family of deer passing through.

  • A natural pond in a wooded area

    The Ponds

    The Rye Nature Center has two ponds on its grounds: Nanderwhere Pond and the Small Pond.

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    Both are great places to look for frogs, and the Small Pond is also home to many interesting dragonflies. If you approach Nanderwhere Pond quietly, you might might be able to see one of the bull frogs along the edge of the pond, or turtles sunning themselves on logs.

  • The Ruins

    When the Parsons family estate burned down in 1942, the stone chimneys and outer walls stayed standing.

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    These walls are still here today, and the signs around the Ruins are a great opportunity to learn about local history. The grounds around the Ruins were once a manicured garden, but in the decades since the fire, the forest has reclaimed the land with amazing speed.

  • One adult instructor with a group of children entering a small, red shed.

    The Sugar Shed

    The Sugar Shed is where FRNC demonstrates the process of making maple syrup.

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    As the sap flows from the maple trees on our grounds, we usher in the early days of spring with the sweet aroma of boiling sap, transforming nature's bounty into the golden syrup cherished by all.

  • An educational playground in a wooded area.

    STEM Course

    An educational playground in a wooded area.

Fun for All Ages

Discover fun for all ages at FRNC! From My Naturalist and Me sessions for 2-4 year-olds to exciting programs like Forest Preschool, vacation camps, and summer ecology adventures for older kids, there's something for everyone. Plus, explore our adult programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. Click below to explore our Programs and Events!

Get in touch.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or inquiries about our programs, events, or anything else on your mind. We're here to help and would love to hear from you!

Need assistance? Give us a call at (914) 967-5150 and our friendly team will be happy to help you!