Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

Quick facts: A 292-acre nature preserve with approximately 2.5 miles of public trails for hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. The public trails are open from sunrise to sunset every day. No dogs allowed. No biking, hunting, fishing, or swimming allowed. Jogging type strollers are allowed. Reinstein Woods is just east of, and shares a fenced border with, Stiglmeier Park (aka Losson Park) in the Town of Cheektowaga. It is located at 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043.Click HERE for an interactive google map of the trails in Reinstein Woods

Activity	Available	Notes
GPS tracks	YES
Dogs Allowed	NO
Hiking	YES	From sunrise to sunset everyday. Guided tours are avaialble by schedule
Camping	NO
Backpacking	NO
Biking	NO
Hunting	NO
Fishing	NO
Swimming	NO
Canoe/Kayak	NO
Equestrian trails	NO
Snowshoeing	YES
X-Country Skiing	YES	no designated trails – use the hiking ttrails
Snowmobile Trail	NO

More Detailed Information

Main Kiosk at Reinstein Woods

Reinstein Woods is owned by New York State. It is under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation which maintains an informational website for the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center.

It consists of 292 acres of forest, wetlands, and ponds. Most of the trails are old roadbeds built by the former owner, Dr. Victor Reinstein, who contributed the property to the State of New York in his will.

There is no admission charge. There is a large free parking lot and a public restroom.

Public hiking is allowed between sunrise and sunset every day. The Environmental Education Center sponsors free guided tours and themed hikes, including several evening hikes to explore the woods after dark.

Snowshoes can be rented at the Environmental Education Center for just $4 during its business hours – Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. the telephone number is 716-683-5959.

Reinstein Woods Section Map

The Nature Preserve is divided into three sections: (1) the Intensive Use Area, (2) the Interpretive Area, and (3) the Sanctuary Area.

The Intensive Use Area includes the Environmental Education Center, bathroom facilities (open from sunrise to sunset every day), and a boardwalk for viewing Lily Pond.

The Interpretive Area includes the public trails, some of which have informational signs and kiosk.

The Sanctuary area is closed to the general public. It occupies the southeastern portion of the Nature Preserve.

Aerial Photo of Reinstein Woods with Trails

There are 2.5 miles of trails open to the general public. However, to walk all of the trails in one day requires hiking about 3 miles because of the need to double back on some of the trails.

The general public is excluded from a few of trails in the Interpretive Area that run into the southwestern corner of the nature preserve. Those trails can be accessed on guided tours and themed hikes.

The trails are generally wide, falt, and dry, with the exception of one 20-foot section of the Lily Pond Trail just east of the intersection with the Footprint Trail. It can be avoided by taking the State Symbols Trail.

Here are some pictures of recent hikes on the trails: