Pogue Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake

There are several rules for the Pogue. No wading, swimming, or fishing is allowed. No pets are allowed in the pond, so please keep your animals on a leash to prevent them from wanting to jump in the pond. And as always, please carry out any trash.

To access the Pogue Loop, the most direct way to get there is to take the Mountain Road Trail from the entrance of the park to the pond. Parking for Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is located at the Billings Farm and Museum. Cross the road and make your way into the park. If you need to get water, maps, information about the park, or to use the restroom, continue up the hill to the visitor center.

Otherwise, take The Mountain Road Trail to the right for roughly 1.5 miles until you arrive at the Pogue, a 14 acre pond created by Frederick Billings in the 1880s when an earthen dam was constructed. You have a choice when you arrive as you can either go straight or take the right. Continuing straight ahead will lead you around the pond with a slightly steeper uphill. You'll pass the King Farm Loop Trail, which leads to the King Farm overlook and several other trails which are fun to explore. The trail wraps around the lake and and is well shaded.

There are times where the trail gets closer to the water and times when it is further away. As you descend back toward the junction, the woods open up a little bit, providing for good photo opportunities of the hills above the pond, especially in the Fall when the leaves change color, which is probably the best time to visit the Pogue. Once you have completed the loop, you can return to your car via the Mountain Road Trail or explore any of the numerous other trails in the area.

Various fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds call the Pogue home throughout the year. You may see herons and many other varieties of birds depending on when you visit. As you walk around the edge of the pond, you may see turtles sunning themselves or fish swimming just below the surface of the pond.
In the fall, the hills above the Podgue turn color and are highlighted with beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves.