Lightly packed snow, scenic landscapes, and abundant wildlife sightings at the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve in the Capital Region make for a perfect winter adventure this February. Ideal for all skill levels, visitors can enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Situated along the shores of the Mohawk River in Clifton Park, take a stroll back in time along the original 1800’s Erie Canal towpath.

The lands that make up the preserve served as farmland for the Mohawks, the easternmost tribe of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, who referred to the area as “Canastigione” or “corn flat” prior to the arrival of the first white settlers in 1671. By 1822, local residents were paid per cubic yard to help dig what is now referred to as the “old Erie Canal.”