Dover Stone Church

Dover Stone Church is a short, easy, highly-memorable hike — and an absolute delight.

Hike Length: 1.0 miles (1.53 km)

Total Ascent: 280ft (85m)

Intensity: Easy Taconics Hike

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Includes: Blazed Trail, Rock Scrambles, Road Walk, Stream Crossing

Similar Entries In: Taconics, Nature Trails, The Best Hikes, The Easy Hikes, The Most Popular Hikes, , , , , , , .

Dover Stone Church in Dover Plains, New York

Hiker entering Dover Stone Church

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 Half-a-mile each way.

Dover Stone Church is a remarkable cave-like formation near Dover Plains, New York. This short, easy, highly memorable hike is an absolute delight.

I loved all the different parts of this trail: the beautifully-maintained entrance, the footbridges, the stream-side trail and the incredible cave itself. This location has a strong spiritual quality.

Once inside the hollow and the cave itself, the acoustics produce an otherworldly echo, amplifying the sounds of flowing water.

Dover Stone Church is an unforgettable sanctuary.

Note: You cannot park at this trailhead. Pay attention to the parking notes for this location below.

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Dover Stone Church Hike

The Dover Stone Church hike includes…

  • No parking at this trailhead!
  • Designated parking lots here, here, here, and here
  • A short, easy, relatively flat hike — less than half a mile!
  • Wooden footbridges
  • Semi-paved trail alongside mountain stream
  • Dover Stone Church cave
  • Rugged cave and waterfall
  • Access to steeper / quieter trails in the area

Allow 60-90 minutes to complete the Dover Stone Church hike. A full breakdown is provided in the hiking notes below, with 17 awe-inspiring photos, including photos from inside Dover Stone Church cave.

Dover Stone Church Cave

The opening to the cave is distinctively church-like, which is how it got its name. It resembles a Gothic archway, inviting visitors to explore its interior. The cave’s interior is a combination of rocky outcrops and smooth surfaces, shaped by water over millennia. A small stream runs through Dover Stone Church cave, contributing to its unique atmosphere. It’s not particularly deep but the cave’s interior can feel like a separate world, with deep echoes and cool air.

Dover Stone Church in Dover Plains, New York
Dover Stone Church

Dover Stone Church Hike Notes & Photos

I loved all the different parts of this trail. It has a strong spiritual quality. Once inside the hollow and the cave itself, the acoustics produce an otherworldly echo, amplifying the sounds of flowing water. Dover Stone Church is an unforgettable sanctuary.

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Trailhead Info for this Hike

Do not park here! You must park elsewhere (see list) and walk to this trailhead.

Google Maps Location: 41.739630, -73.581336

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

I had cell service near the town, but lost signal near the cave itself. My network is Verizon. YMMV.