1 / 3Lenoir Preserve
📍 Northwest Yonkers, NY
Free Westchester nature preserve with 0.8 miles of easy paved and unpaved trails, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, historic estate ruins, and a nature center. Two free parking lots.
Small, but enjoyable wildlife refuge in Yonkers. Special butterfly/hummingbird garden and occasional bird walks with guide. There's a nature center with a restroom. I've never seen many birds or butterflies, but I enjoy the quiet walks. Just found out they also run a preschool and the nature center and restroom and peace are unavailable while they're there. There is a portable toilet available outside.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with younger kids who enjoy a short, easy nature walk in a calm setting. The paved main path handles prams and young walkers without trouble. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed — the preserve is quiet rather than wildlife-dense — so pair it with nearby Untermyer Garden if you want a longer outing.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →330 Google reviews
Janet Cook
6 months ago
“Small, but enjoyable wildlife refuge in Yonkers. Special butterfly/hummingbird garden and occasional bird walks with guide. There's a nature center with a restroom. I've never seen many birds or butterflies, but I enjoy the quiet walks. Just found out they also run a preschool and the nature center and restroom and peace are unavailable while they're there. There is a portable toilet available outside.”
Nalex
5 months ago
“This estate is absolutely beautiful and the trails are easy to maneuver. 2 parking lots with free parking and lots of space. Spent the afternoon walking the paths and enjoying the fresh air. So, quiet and peaceful walking through the woods and the birds chirping puts a nice touch to being out in natures garden.”
Jimmy Ching
7 months ago
“Quite nice place to unwind see butter🦋 hustle sit let time past its walk path is good hear birds, see the oldest Tulip Tree ,next to Untemeyer Garden can go there too”
Kin
a year ago
“A relatively short walk (~0.8 miles) - there is a paved path you can follow with various branching points. The unpaved paths are hard to follow, but since the place is contained, it's difficult to get lost. While Google maps currently lacks routes in the preserve, you can orient yourself with regards to landmarks. The castle ruins and the nature center are fun to look about”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Lenoir Preserve covers three former estate footprints — Lenoir/Wightman House, Ardenwold Carriage House (now the nature center), and Fairlawn stone ruins. A paved main loop runs under a mile with unpaved branches off it. The butterfly and hummingbird garden and a 300-year-old tulip tree are the standout natural features. Restrooms are inside the nature center, which doubles as a preschool on weekdays.
