The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Mount Holly's rugged outcrops of bedrock rise up to 621 feet, cradling a mixed deciduous forest of chestnut oak, black oak and red oak. On the west side of the preserve, a large wetland complex includes an open red maple swamp and a pond that is slowly transforming into a marsh.

Why We Selected This Site
The Nature Conservancy, assisted by concerned local citizens, purchased the property from the estate of Edward A. Norman in 1975.

What We Do Here
Long-term monitoring projects such as deer population studies, invasive plant research, geological surveys and bird censuses are current topics of research at Mount Holly.

Four color-coded trails provide access to nearly the entire preserve. The red and blue trails criss-cross each other several times and take hikers on a meandering walk through mixed deciduous forest and stone outcroppings. The yellow and orange trails bring visitors along wetlands and thickets. Horses are permitted along designated trail sections throughout the preserve.

Things To Do

Hardwood forests are dominated by oak and black birch. In the wetlands, look for speckled alder, sweet pepperbush and swamp azalea.

Listen for the loud cry of the pileated woodpecker in the open sugar maple stand, and watch for ruffed grouse and broad-winged hawks.

Plan Your Visit

This 209-acre preserve is located in Bedford and Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York.

Directions

• I-684 to exit 6, east on Rt. 35 for approx. two miles to North Salem Road
• Left on North Salem Road for 0.25 mile to Mt. Holly Road; turn right.
• Follow Mt. Holly Road for 1.5 miles to where it makes a sharp left. 
• Make the left turn (still on Mt. Holly Road).
• The preserve is on the left past the intersection with Holly Hill Lane.
• There is a small parking area along Mt. Holly Road, and minimal parking along the Todd Road entrance.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

Read our guidelines on posting comments