Literary historic site and nature trails

John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge and Memorial

About 14.4 road mi

John Burroughs’ summer home, nonprofit nature-trail property, and nearby state memorial in Roxbury, about 14.4 road miles from Arkville Station; Lodge interiors open only with announced programs.

The place

About John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge and Memorial

Woodchuck Lodge connects a Delaware & Ulster trip to the Catskills writing and landscape of naturalist John Burroughs. Burroughs returned to the Roxbury family farm in 1910, named the small farmhouse Woodchuck Lodge, wrote nearby, and welcomed neighbors and notable guests. The nonprofit now preserves the site and uses walks, talks, and outdoor programs to continue that nature-centered legacy.

A casual visit is primarily an outdoor one. The Lodge’s current visitor page says its surrounding fields-and-woods trails are open daily from dawn to dusk year-round, while the house itself opens for Wild Saturdays and other announced events. Delicate artifacts are in storage during restoration, so an exterior or trail visit should not be described as a full furnished-house tour.

The nearby John Burroughs Memorial State Historic Site includes Burroughs’ grave, Boyhood Rock, and an outdoor exhibit. New York State publishes a general first-weekend May–October tour window for Woodchuck Lodge, but the Lodge’s own current guidance limits tours to announced events. Follow the Lodge event calendar for interior access and use the state phone for Memorial Field questions.

What stands out

Walk Burroughs’ landscape

Choose among several short field-and-woods loops lined with benches and birdhouses.

Event-day interpretation

Use a Wild Saturday for guided nature, local-history, author, or night-sky programming and possible Lodge access.

Memorial Field

Continue to Boyhood Rock, Burroughs’ grave, and the state outdoor exhibit during daylight hours.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Delaware & Ulster Railroad trip

The measured road route from Arkville Station to Woodchuck Lodge is about 14.4 miles. The short trails and daylight-open grounds are flexible, but an interior tour or Wild Saturday is date-specific; reserve the larger block only after confirming the event and still protect railroad boarding.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Grounds and trailsWoodchuck Lodge says its nature trails are open daily from dawn to dusk, year-round. Weather, restoration work, and temporary closures can still affect access.
  • Lodge interiorThe Lodge itself opens for Wild Saturdays and other announced events. Do not expect a walk-in interior tour on an ordinary day.
  • Remaining 2026 programsThe current event page lists Wild Saturday programs on September 5 and October 3 after this guide’s August 14 check. Confirm time, capacity, and tour access on the event page.
  • Short trailsThe Lodge publishes Trout-Lily Trail at 0.09 mile plus a 0.05-mile Summerhouse Spur, Poet’s Path at 0.24 mile, Centennial Trail at 0.55 mile, and a 0.30-mile Short Meadow Loop.
  • Memorial FieldThe state historic site is down the road at 1415 Burroughs Memorial Road. A roughly 0.08-mile path leads toward Boyhood Rock and the grave; grounds are open dawn to dusk.
  • Restoration limitsThe Lodge says many delicate Burroughs artifacts are stored during restoration. Program attendance does not guarantee every interior object or room is available.
  • AccessibilityNeither source publishes a complete route covering parking, historic-house thresholds, every trail, Boyhood Rock, benches, or the grave. Email the Lodge and call the state site at 518-827-6111 about the exact need.
  • Facilities and weatherThe visitor page does not promise staffed restrooms, water, or an indoor shelter during an ordinary grounds visit. Plan for an outdoor, unstaffed stop unless an event says otherwise.

Add a Saturday local stop

Add Pakatakan Farmers’ Market

Shop local food and crafts inside the historic Round Barn after confirming the selected 2026 schedule.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I tour Woodchuck Lodge any day?

No. The Lodge’s current page says interior tours coincide with Wild Saturdays and other announced events. Ordinary visits are for the dawn-to-dusk grounds and trails.

When are the trails open?

The Lodge says the nature trails are open daily from dawn to dusk, year-round, subject to current conditions and any temporary restriction.

How far is Woodchuck Lodge from Delaware & Ulster Railroad?

The measured road route from Arkville Station is about 14.4 miles. Allow roughly half an hour each way in addition to the stop and railroad arrival margin.

What short trails are available?

Published options range from the 0.09-mile Trout-Lily loop and 0.05-mile spur to 0.24-, 0.30-, and 0.55-mile meadow loops.

Where are Boyhood Rock and John Burroughs’ grave?

They are at the separate John Burroughs Memorial State Historic Site down the road from Woodchuck Lodge. The state grounds are open dawn to dusk.

Is the Lodge and memorial accessible?

The sources do not establish one complete accessible route. Email jbwoodchucklodge@gmail.com for the Lodge and call 518-827-6111 for the state memorial with the specific parking, surface, threshold, or trail question.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-14. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.