California Hill State Forest

In 2004, New York State purchased a 617 parcel in Putnam County which contained most of 90 acre Waywayanda Lake and in 2007 bought land that made the existing Pudding Street, Gordon Road and California Hill Multiple Use Areas one contiguous open space. Today it is all the 950 acre California Hill State Forest, devoted to sustainable forest management, recreation, watershed protection and, in general, to enhance and protect natural resources.

Take the Pudding Street exit off the Taconic State Parkway, heading east. Note: from the southbound Taconic, this is a left exit. There are 3 places to access the park:

• Pudding Street parking: there is signed, roadside parking on the right side of Pudding street 1.4 miles from the Taconic Parkway. Note: be sure to bear right to stay on Pudding St. .2 miles from the Taconic.
• Waywayanda Lake parking: from the Taconic, take Pudding St. east 2 miles; turn right on Waywayanda Court and follow to the end about a mile.
• Gordon Road parking: from the Taconic, take Pudding St. east 2.9 miles; turn right on Gordon Road .6 miles to the signed entrance on the right.

From the East, the park can be accessed from NY 301 and County Route 21/Peekskill Hollow Rd in Kent.

• Pudding Street and Waywayanda Ct. parking: from NY 301, go south .1 miles on Rt. 21/Peekskill Hollow Rd.; turn right on Richardsville Rd. Go .5 miles and turn left on Pudding Street. Waywayanda Ct. is a left turn 1.5 miles down Pudding St. The signed roadside Pudding St. parking is on the left 2.2 miles down Pudding St. from Richardsville Rd.
• Gordon Road parking: from NY 301, go south 1.4 miles on Rt. 21/Peekskill Hollow Rd.; turn right on Gordon Rd.; the signed entrance to the park is .6 miles down on the left.