Depending on how long you’ve lived in New York, you may have noticed that our abandoned locations often don’t stay abandoned for very long. Usually being torn down and demolished in a relatively timely manner, you may be wondering if there are any remaining deserted spots that you can still visit in our state.

Luckily for you, we’ve got yet another amazing adventure tucked away in our back pocket that we’re going to share with you today. Keep reading to discover an abandoned airport that’s been hiding in plain sight since the late 1990s.

Down in Ulster County, the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly 600-acres of land.
Gary Leavens/Flickr
But there's more to this wildlife refuge than just beautiful grasslands! The refuge is actually the former site of the Galeville Military Airport that was officially taken over by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services in 1999.
Wikimedia Commons
When the grass is low enough, you can see the airport's old runways, now marked with 'X's' to show that they're no longer in use.
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook
Now overrun with grasslands and woodland areas, you'll have panoramic views as you explore this wide-open space near the small town of Wallkill.
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook

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Out of all of New York State, this particular refuge is one of the top areas for grassland-dependent migratory birds - with nearly 180 species of birds having been documented at Shawangunk Grasslands.
Gary Leavens/Flickr
Needless to say, the Shawangunk Grasslands are a popular place to go birdwatching. Visitors can see everything from hawks, falcons, sparrows, vultures, turtles, white-tailed deer, and more.
Gary Leavens/Flickr
Thanks to the Fish & Wildlife Services, the grasslands remain maintained and provide a beautiful outdoor space for our residents to enjoy.
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook
So whether you're here for the history or want to experience the breathtaking open spaces, the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge certainly has plenty for you to see and explore.
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook
In a space that has now become so serene and peaceful, it's mind-boggling to imagine that this beautiful piece of land was once cleared out and filled with military planes. Before the Army transformed this piece of land into an air base, the airport was actually a swampland that had to be filled in with soil. Used after WWII, FBI Agents, the U.S. Marshals Service, and military academy members would train here and use the airport until it was officially closed down in 1994.

Now over 20-years later, the former airport has transformed into something spectacular and is a safe haven for so many unique birds that migrate through the state of New York. To learn more about the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, click here.

Did you realize that the Shawangunk Grasslands were covering an abandoned airport? To hike through more pieces of history, check out how This Beautiful Historic Bridge Hike In New York Will Leave You Completely Mesmerized!

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