As an official Appalachian Trail community, Pawling is a great place for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts to visit!  Every year, hundreds of Appalachian Trail through-hikers walk into Pawling and take advantage of the many services and businesses that support the hiking community.  The Appalachian Trail Metro North station in Pawling is the only rail station that sits directly on the Appalachian Trail.  Appalachian Trail hikers are welcome to stop by the Pawling Library at 11 Broad Street to charge up their phones and use the public computers.

Places to Stay

Hikers are welcome at the lovely Station Inn in the Village, but for those who are looking for places to camp, keep reading.

Telephone Pioneers Shelter

   The Telephone Pioneers Shelter,  built in 1988, is located on the Appalachian Trail near the Dover Oak trailhead on County Route 21.  Like other shelters on the AT, this one is pretty basic, essentially a platform with three walls and a roof, with a picnic table and a firepit out front and a privy fairly close by.  (It also has a little free library, if you’re looking for a new read.)  There’s a stream nearby that is a good source of water when it is running. However, it is usually dry in the summer months.

Murrow Park Shelter

This shelter is at Edward R. Murrow Memorial Park, at 142 Lakeside Drive in Pawling. Overnight camping is allowed for hikers and is free. It is a vestige from when Pawling’s section of the AT included a long walk along Old Route 55.  That portion of the trail has since been rerouted from Cat Rocks through the Nuclear Lake section.

There is a pavilion with power, picnic tables, lots of flat grassy areas for tenting, bathrooms, and an outdoor ‘rinse’ shower (cold water and you have to hold the handle to keep water flowing).

It is located 2.5 – 3.0 miles from each of the three trailheads in Pawling and about 1.0 mile from the town center.

Places to Shop

The Land Gallery

        This gallery, owned by nature photographer Jane Haslam, is a “must see” for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Pawling. Here you will find breathtaking photographs of much of the local natural scenery, including the view from Cat Rocks, as well as a carefully curated collection of gifts by local artists and craftspeople.  If you’re lucky, you might even meet Jane herself for a lively chat about the local hiking scene!

Native Landscapes and Garden Center

        This garden center, which specializes in native plants and landscape design,  is located directy on the Appalachian Trail next to the Metro North Train stop..  The owner Pete Muroski is knowledgable about local hiking trails and the native plants and animals that can be seen along the way.  The garden center is also the officially designated base camp  for the Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail Community. The center offers  bathrooms, a shower, a drinking water spigot and a small canteen for restocking snacks and other supplies  for Appalachian Trail thru hikers. 

CVS Pharmacy

           Conveniently located in the village center,  this is a great place to find hiking/camping provisions like bottled water,  energy bars, groceries, wet wipes and toiletries.  They even sell Pawling t-shirts and sweatshirts here.

Places to Eat

Pawling Family Quick Stop

       This little deli and gas station is where the locals go to get a great lunch or breakfast.  They have generously proportioned deli sandwiches of all kinds in addition to a hot food menu that includes everything from daily special soups to chicken parmesan to tacos. They have tables in the back of the store, but why not take the food on the trail with you and enjoy a beautiful picnic?

Vinny’s Deli and Pasta

      This famous deli and specialty food shop is featured on the Food Network!  Try their signature Vinny’s Steak Margherita Sandwich or pick up some of their freshly made mozzarella for a real treat.  Enjoy their delightful food on one of their picnic tables with umbrellas outside or take it out on the trail with you.

Sunflour Bakery

      This little bakery/cafe has excellent coffee, teas and baked goods, in addition to a small and delicious breakfast and lunch menu.  It’s also conveniently located next door to the Pawling Library and across from the Pawling Post Office.

O’Connor’s Public House

       If you’re looking for a place to grab a beer and some yummy comfort food after your day outdoors, check out O’Connor’s Public House.  This is a traditional Irish pub, offering lunch and dinner daily. The burgers and wings are perfect, and they also offer traditional pub favorites like fish and chips and chicken curry.

La Guadulapina Mini Market II

     If you’re seeking some truly authentic Mexican and Central American food, check out this great shop/restaurant.  Open from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily, they offer tacos, soups, tamales, empanadas and so much more!

Main Street Cafe and Deli

    This excellent little cafe/deli features delicious Central American food and fresh fruit smoothies.  Dine in or take out.  They also have a hot food bar with daily specials.  This is a great place to pick up a  quick, nutritous meal that won’t break the bank!

DC Malaysian Food Truck

   We’re including this local food truck that is located directly on the Appalachian Trail across from the Appalachian Trail Metro-North stop on Route 22.  Try their honey roasted pork or the curry chicken and potatoes, along with shumai, dumplings and bubble tea for a nutritious lunch.  For more info, here’s a link to their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077743098808

Roseanne’s Kitchen Food Truck

     If you’re looking for a great lunch on the trail that is a little less exotic,, check out this OTHER food truck that is also often parked by the Appalachian Trail Metro North stop.  Here you will find a great menu of burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads.  Check out their facebook page to find their daily specials and other info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100040295779827

Things to Do

Hiking

     Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities for visitors to Pawling and the Hudson Valley.  Here are some favorite hiking spots:

• Lakeside Park  (2 Lakeside Drive)

   This heavily wooded park offers several hikes around the circumference of the lake, an outdoor chapel and through the adjacent Murrow Park.  Trail maps can be found online at the Pawling Community Foundation https://pawlingfoundation.org/trail-exploration/

• Appalachian Trail 

      This famous trail has several scenic sections for day hikers including the view from Cat Rocks, the Dover Oak and the Pawling Nature Reserve before continuing into the town of Dover and Connecticut.

• Nuclear Lake (Old Route 55)

           The Appalachian Trail also runs through this beautiful hiking area, which sits on the site of a former nuclear research facility.  The hike from the parking area on Old Rt. 55 is on a wide and relatively flat path that leads directly to the lovely lake.  While swimming and fishing are not allowed, don’t worry about running into Blinky, the 3-eyed fish from the Simpson’s television show.  The site was cleaned up and deemed safe by the EPA many years ago.

• Pawling Nature Reserve  (Quaker Lake Rd.)

The Pawling Nature Reserve on Quaker Lake Road is managed by the Nature Conservancy.  There are several well-maintained trails here, offering views of gorges, small waterfalls, rock formations and swamp lands.  Markers along the way describe native plants, animals and birds as well as information about the indigenous people that once lived here. A section of the Appalachian Trail also runs through the Reserve.

Swimming

 Lakeside Park Waterfront (2 Lakeside Drive)

        During the summer (between Memorial Day and Labor Day) the waterfront is open on weekends and during the week when school is not in session.  The waterfront includes a sandy beach and well-maintained swimming area surrounded by floating docks and fully staffed with lifeguards during open hours.  The swimming area also includes bathrooms, picnic tables, outdoor grills for cooking, and a variety of kayaks, row boats and standing paddle boards that are included at no extra charge with your day pass to the waterfront.  Both residents and non-residents can purchase day passes to the waterfront at Lakeside Park.

Kayaking

• Lakeside Park (2 Lakeside Drive) 

     During the summer season, when the waterfront is open visitors can purchase beach passes which include boat and kayak rental.   Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, kayaking around the quiet pristine lake.

• The Great Swamp

The Great Swamp runs through Pawling, and this is a popular place to kayak and canoe, offering paddlers sightings of  painted turtles, herons, red-wing blackbirds, kingfishers, dragonflies,l beavers, otters, and muskrats.  Some folks have even spotted the occasional bobcat, coyote or black bear. There aren’t any public sites to launch a kayak in Pawling, but there are places to launch in nearby Patterson to the south or Wingdale to the north. For more information, visit https://frogs-ny.org/paddling-canoeing-and-kayaking-the-great-swamp/

Biking

•      Maybrook Trailway  

This section of the Empire State Trail, which extends from Manhattan all the way to the state’s borders is a fun and easy bike ride by lakes and woodlands.  The best parking area for this section is at the Holmes Whaley Lake Civic Association (237 NY-292, Pawling, NY 12531 )  For more information, visit https://empiretrail.ny.gov/new-york-city-poughkeepsie/pawling-hopewell-junction. 

Fishing

        Fishing is permitted at both Lakeside Park (2 Lakeside Dr.) and Murrow Park (142 Lakeside Dr.).  The most common fish found in these areas are wide-mouth bass,  chain pickerel, black crappie and yellow perch.  

          Fly fishing is also a popular activity at the nearby Ten-Mile River and the Housatonic River.  To learn more about fly fishing in the area, check out The Angler’s Den at https://www.anglersden.net/