Please note: The trail around Thompson Pond travels close to the water’s edge; visitors might get their feet wet. Please wear appropriate footwear.
At the foot of Stissing Mountain lies the ancient Thompson Pond Basin, which formed nearly 15,000 years ago when a melting ice chunk created a depression or kettle. Over time, the kettle divided into three interconnected water bodies, including Thompson Pond, which forms the headwaters of a major tributary of the Hudson River. The basin's pond, cattail marsh, swamp and upland forest support a wondrously diverse array of wildlife.
Before you visit, please download a preserve map
Why We Selected This Site
Thompson Pond was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1973. It is considered an excellent example of a calcareous (or limy) wetland that abounds with a variety of wildlife. The Nature Conservancy seeks to preserve its 387 plant species, 162 bird species and 27 mammal species.
What We Do Here
As development threatens to alter the bucolic character of the region, The Nature Conservancy is working to promote the continued protection of the area's open space and other local natural resources. Ecological researchers and natural history clubs are encouraged to utilize Thompson Pond Preserve for educational and research activities.