5 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in Upstate New York
New York has three venomous snake species, and two of them are rattlesnakes. The Timber Rattlesnake is the big one, reaching up to 60 inches with a bite powerful enough to earn its spot on every New York hiker's short list of things to watch for. The Eastern Massasauga, sometimes called the swamp rattler, grows to about half the size and prefers wetlands over the rocky outcrops the Timber favors. Sightings of both are rare, but if you spend time in the right habitats, loose talus slopes, south-facing ledges, dense forest cover, or wetland edges, the odds go up fast. Here are the five places in upstate New York where the odds are highest.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest, on the western shore of Lake Champlain, is believed to hold one of the northernmost breeding populations of Timber Rattlesnakes in the eastern United States. The 3,725-acre property has everything a Timber Rattlesnake wants: wooded ridgelines, south-facing rocky outcrops, and 200-foot cliffs dropping straight into the lake. The aptly named Snake Den Harbor is exactly what it sounds like.
The snakes are active here from mid-May through mid-October and are most often seen on warm mornings, coiled on exposed ledges catching the first sun of the day. If you are hiking the trail network near Snake Den Harbor, watch your step.
Lake George and the Tongue Mountain Range
The Tongue Mountain Range juts into the western side of Lake George and hosts one of the larger Timber Rattlesnake populations in the state. The microclimate is milder than the rest of the Adirondacks, and the rocky ledges, hardwood forest, and steady supply of small mammals make the range as close to ideal Timber Rattlesnake habitat as you will find.
Rattlers here occasionally swim to nearby islands, which has led to at least one documented removal from a resort property on Lake George. Hikers running ridge trails are the most likely to cross paths with one, especially on warm mornings between May and September when snakes are either crossing the trail or basking next to it.
The Catskill Mountains: Overlook Mountain and Mount Tremper
The Catskills contain 13 of New York's 17 native snake species, and the Timber Rattlesnake is one of them. Two specific peaks consistently turn up as hot spots: Overlook Mountain above Woodstock, and Mount Tremper just to the northwest. Both have fire tower trails, and both post signs warning hikers about rattlesnakes for good reason.
Overlook Mountain climbs more than 1,300 feet to a summit lined with loose rock and exposed ledges. This is textbook Timber Rattlesnake terrain, and sightings are common enough that the New York State DEC posts seasonal warnings at the trailhead.
Mount Tremper is accessed from the hamlet of Phoenicia and also has a fire tower, posted signage, and active den sites not far off the route. Other Catskill hot spots include Kaaterskill Clove and the more remote corners of Catskill Park. August is the month when Timber Rattlesnake activity peaks here.
Shawangunk Ridge and Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Rock climbers know it as "the Gunks," and the ridge supports both Timber Rattlesnakes and Northern Copperheads. Timber Rattlesnakes concentrate in the western parts of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, on slopes and open rocky ledges well away from the main climbing corridors near New Paltz.
Timber Rattlesnakes are live-bearers, and pregnant females seek out the hottest exposed ledges in summer to help their embryos develop. The males and non-pregnant females stick to cooler forest cover below the cliffs. Worth noting: copperheads have also been documented at the base of those cliffs, so "watch where you step" applies whether you are on the rocks or under them.
The Hudson Highlands
The Hudson Highlands run along both sides of the Hudson River through Putnam and Orange Counties, about 50 miles north of New York City. The rocky terrain has supported Timber Rattlesnake populations for centuries. Breakneck Ridge, inside Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, is the best-known sightings hotspot, largely because it also happens to be one of the most heavily trafficked day hikes within an hour of the city. Head up from the Metro-North trail and you will see rattlesnake warning signs before the scramble even starts.
Bear Mountain State Park, in the same Hudson Valley corridor, is the other well-documented rattlesnake area here. Copperheads are also present, and the park's mix of forest, talus, and cliff face supports both species. If you would rather see one behind glass, the Trailside Museums and Zoo in Bear Mountain has Timber Rattlesnakes on display alongside other native reptiles.
If You See One
Timber Rattlesnake populations in upstate New York are declining, but they are still out there, and they are protected under state law. If you spot one, keep at least 10 feet of distance and let the snake move on its own. They do not chase people, and bites almost always happen when someone tries to handle, harass, or move the snake. If you want to see one up close without the risk, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse has rattlesnakes on display year-round.
