Hudson Valley Attractions | ||
Dutchess CountyHiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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All Annandale-on-Hudson Listings
Annandale-on-Hudson Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Montgomery Place "Historic Site" | 914-631-8200 | |
Montgomery Place a National Historic Landmark, is an extraordinary 380-acre Hudson River estate with magnificent views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. It is located on historic River Road in the hamlet of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, just north of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.
"The lover of the expressive in nature, or the beautiful in art, will find here innumerable subjects for study. The natural scenery in many portions approaches the character of grandeur, and the foreground of rich woods and lawns, stretching out on all sides of the mountain, completes a home landscape of dignified and elegant seclusion, rarely surpassed in any country" by Andrew Jackson Downing website and more . . . |
All Beacon Listings
Beacon Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Hudson Highlands State Park | 845-225-7207 | |
Hudson Highlands State Park, 6,000-acres in size, is located on Route 9D Beacon NY 10512, Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley. A mostly undeveloped preserve, Hudson Highlands State Park consists of a series of separate parcels of land stretching from Annsville Creek in Peekskill, north to Dennings Point in Beacon. The spacious park is perfect for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and birding. The Hudson Highlands and Hudson River provide spectacular backdrops for the many activities that can be enjoyed here. website and more . . . | ||
Long Dock Park "Scenic Hudson Valley" | 845 473 4440 | |
Long Dock Park / Beacon Point Park
Beacon, Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State From Scenic Hudson: "A critical 19th-century transportation link between New England and points west, Long Dock once contained a rail ferry terminal, warehouses and other buildings. More recently, it was home to an oil terminal, salt-storage facility and junkyard. All traces of its commercial and industrial past have been removed to create an exciting riverfront destination boasting a kayak pavilion and beach for launching boats, rehabilitated wetlands and meadows that attract wildlife, and the restored, historic Red Barn, now Scenic Hudson's River Center for arts and environmental-education activities. website and more . . . | ||
Madam Brett Park "Scenic Hudson Valley" | ||
Madam Brett Park
Beacon, Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State From Scenic Hudson: "Madam Brett Park hugs Fishkill Creek, which played a prominent role in Beacon's development. Along it stood a gristmill owned by the park's namesake — Catheryna Rombout Brett (1687-1764), the first European settler in the present-day city. The mill was an important gathering place for farmers and Native Americans inhabiting both shores of the Hudson River hereabouts. In the 1800s, the creek powered a profusion of hat factories (including the Tioronda Hat Works, located in the brick building adjacent to the park), which earned Beacon the nickname "New York's Hat-Making Capital. website and more . . . | ||
Mount Beacon "Scenic Hudson Valley" | ||
Mount Beacon Park
Beacon, Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State Mount Beacon Park was created on land preserved by Scenic Hudson in the City of Beacon and Town of Fishkill. Totaling 234 acres, the parcels were purchased in 1995 and 1998, respectively. Mount Beacon towers above Beacon and Fishkill at the northern gateway to the Hudson Highlands. website and more . . . |
All Dutchess County Listings
Dutchess County Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Dutchess County | 845-225-7207 | |
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park offers an excellent range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. This 14,086-acre park boasts hiking trails, picnic areas, scenic campgrounds, and abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, birding and many more activities for kids of all ages.
Click to enlarge picture of "Fishing and Boating at Fahnestock State Park". website and more . . . | ||
Harlem Valley Rail Trail - Dutchess and Columbia | ||
The Dutchess and Columbia County Trail is located from the southern trail head at the Wassaic Metro North Station, through the easten side of Dutchess County the trail heads north into Columbia County. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail currently has over 15 miles of paved biking trails and is actively used by thousands of walkers and bikers every year. website and more . . . | ||
Hudson Highlands | 845-225-7207 | |
Click
to enlarge photo of the Hudson Highlands.
The sign reads: "For much of its 315-mile course, the Hudson River flows straight and broad. But at the Highlands, the Appalachian mountain chain intersects the river to create a fifteen mile stretch of rugged, mountainous landscape. This area contains the river's narrowest and deepest points, as well as its fastest currents. The Hudson River is an estuary, a mixture of salt and freshwater, and the saltwater line extends just north of Beacon. The River is tidal all the way up to the Troy Dam above Albany." website and more . . . |
All Fishkill Listings
Fishkill Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Fishkill Ridge "Scenic Hudson Valley" | ||
Fishkill Ridge
Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State At the northern gateway to the fabled Hudson Highlands, this rugged 1900-acre park is home to eagles, falcons and numerous rare species. Magnificent views of the Hudson Highlands — and even Manhattan's skyline — provide ample compensation for the rigors of hiking through this rugged terrain. website and more . . . |
All Hyde Park Listings
Hyde Park Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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FDR, Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic Site | 800-337-8474 | |
Click
to enlarge photo of Eleanor and FDR at Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic Site.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and home of FDR is located at 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park NY 12538, Dutchess County. Visit the Home of FDR, called Springwood , the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The following quote famously captures FDR's connection to Springwood. "All that is within me cries out to go back to my home on the Hudson River." photos, website and more . . . |
All Millerton Village Listings
Millerton Village Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Taconic State Park - Rudd Pond Area | 518-789-3059 | |
Taconic State Park - Rudd Pond Area is located at 59 Rudd Pond Road, Millerton, NY 12546 in Dutchess County in the northern Hudson Valley. The park is located along 16 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range. Two developed areas, Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, offer an extensive hiking trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging, offering spectacular views. website and more . . . |
All Town of Pawling Listings
Town of Pawling Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Lakeside Park | 845-855-1131 | |
Lakeside Park, a 280-acre park, is located at 2 Lakeside Drive, Pawling, NY 12564 in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley.
This 290-acre park in Pawling is made for an all-day family outing. Enjoy a picnic and nature walk, and on hot summer days enjoy boating or a swim in the lake. Lakeside Park has picnic tables, shelters and pavilions where you can picnic, followed by one or more of the many activities available at the park such as kayaking on the lake, biking, hiking, and in winter, cross-country skiing. more . . . |
All Pleasant Valley Listings
Pleasant Valley Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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James Baird State Park | 845-452-1489 | |
James Baird State Park, a 590-acre park, is located at 14 Maintenance Lane, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 in Dutchess County. The park is situated on farmland once owned by James Baird, a contractor and engineer whose firm constructed the Lincoln Memorial. In 1939 James Baird donated the 590 acres of land to New York State under the stipulation that it be known as James Baird State Park. website and more . . . |
All Poughkeepsie Listings
Poughkeepsie Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Quiet Cove Riverfront Park | 845-298-4600 | |
Quiet Cove Riverfront Park, a 27-acre park (with 5 plus acres to the West of the rail line) on the banks of the Hudson River, is located at Clear Water Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 in Dutchess County. Quiet Cove offers picnic tables, grills, fishing, walking trails and scenic overlooks on the upper section of the park and breathtaking views of the Hudson River. website and more . . . | ||
Walkway Over The Hudson State Historic Park - Dutchess | 845-834-2867 | |
"On October 3, 2009 Governor David A. Paterson opened the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park as a legacy project of the Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial. The park provides access to the Hudson River's breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with disabilities. The bridge deck stands 212 feet above the river's surface and is 6,678 feet (1.28 miles) long, making it the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world." website and more . . . |
All Town of Red Hook Listings
Town of Red Hook Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Poets' Walk Park "Scenic Hudson Valley" | ||
Poets' Walk
Red Hook, Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State From Scenic Hudson: "The rolling fields and quiet woodlands have inspired generations of writers and artists. This 120-acre park is nestled in the region's famous National Historic Landmark District and offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and Catskill Mountains. A visit to this property by Washington Irving is said to have inspired his classic story "Rip Van Winkle". website and more . . . |
All Rhinebeck Listings
Rhinebeck Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Burger Hill "Scenic Hudson Valley" | ||
Burger Hill Park
Rhinebeck, Dutchess County Hudson River Valley, New York State Burger Hill's seventy-six-acres of open meadows and rural, scenic beauty are perfect for bird-watching. The park is protected by a Scenic Hudson conservation easement and is owned by Winnakee Land Trust. website and more . . . |
All Staatsburg Listings
Staatsburg Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Mills Norrie State Park (Margaret Lewis Norrie) | 845-889-4646 | |
Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park is located at Staatsburg NY 12580, Dutchess County in the Hudson River Valley. Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park adjoins Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park and together, comprise more than 1,000-acres. Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park offers a full menu of exhilarating recreational opportunities and activities for visitors of all ages. website and more . . . | ||
Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park | 845-889-4646 | |
Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park is located at Old Post Road, Staatsburg NY 12580 in Dutchess County. The Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills State Park adjoins Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park and together, comprise more than one thousand acres. website and more . . . | ||
Public Golf Course - Dinsmore Golf Course | 845-889-4071 | |
Dinsmore Golf Course is located at 199 Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580 in Dutchess County.
From Dinsmore Golf Course: "This scenic 18-hole course offers a panoramic view of the beautiful Hudson River and majestic Catskill Mountains from the Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park. It is the third oldest golf course in the country. Built as a private 9-hole course in the 1890s, it was an amenity to the estates of the Dinsmore, Hoyt and Mills families. The land was donated by Helen Hull. The original course, which is now the south nine, was expanded to 18 holes in 1962. website and more . . . | ||
Staatsburgh "State Historic Site" | 845-889-8851 | |
Staatsburgh State Historic Site is located at Old Post Road, Staatsburg NY 12580 in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley. Staatsburgh is the elegant country home of Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston Mills. Sitting atop a grassy hill overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains, their house is a fine example of a great estate built by America's financial and industrial leaders during the Gilded Age (1876 - 1917). Also known as the American Renaissance, this period in American history was marked by America's rapid economic growth and emergence as a world power. Darius Ogden Mills, father of Ogden Mills, established the family fortune by investing in banks, railroads and mines. Ogden Mills, like his father, was a noted financier and philanthropist. In 1882 he married Ruth Livingston, whose family had been prominent landowners in the Hudson Valley since the 17th century. In 1890, Ruth Livingston Mills inherited her childhood home and property which had once belonged to her great-grandfather, Morgan Lewis, the third governor of New York State. website and more . . . |
All Stanfordville Listings
Stanfordville Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Wilcox Memorial Park | 845-758-6100 | |
Wilcox Memorial Park, a 615-acre park, is located at 1639 Route 199, Milan NY 12581 in northern Dutchess County. Wilcox was formerly the estate and farm of Mrs. Frederick P. Wilcox, its 18th century complex of farm buildings still stand today.
Wilcox Memorial Park has a 5 acre swimming lake that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is also a fishing lake, 27 site campgrounds, 2 new playgrounds, and a basketball court. There is an extensive hiking trail system throughout the 615 acre park. This park has 4 pavilions that can be reserved through the online reservation system. Pavilion C is currently the largest pavilion in Wilcox Park, complete with kitchen facilities and restrooms and a great view of the lake from its location at the top of the hill. Admission is charged to the public when the swimming lake is open. website and more . . . |
All Wappingers Falls Listings
Wappingers Falls Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Bowdoin Park | 845-298-4600 | |
Bowdoin Park, a 301-acre park on the banks of the Hudson River, is located at 85 Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 in Dutchess County.
The park offers scenic views, picnicking, and an award-winning handicapped-accessible playground area and water spray park. Also available for parties and events are five pavilions (4 handicapped-accessible), and a community room. website and more . . . | ||
Depot Hill MUA | 845-831-8780 | |
Depot Hill, 267-acres in size, is located in the towns of Beekman and Pawling, Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley.
From Department of Environmental Conservation: "The 267-acre Depot Multiple Use Area is distinctive for hosting part of the Appalachian Trail. Please be aware that forest management activities, such as timber thinning or harvesting, may disrupt trail use at times. The forests here are managed to produce forest crops, maintain diverse wildlife habitats, and provide recreational opportunities while protecting aesthetics and water quality." website and more . . . |
More Hudson Valley Hiking Trails | Places To Hike |
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Albany County [23 listings over 10 locations]
Columbia County [7 listings over 5 locations]
Greene County [17 listings over 7 locations]
Orange County [38 listings over 17 locations]
Putnam County [20 listings over 6 locations]
Rensselaer County [8 listings over 7 locations]
Rockland County [44 listings over 15 locations]
Saratoga County [4 listings over 3 locations]
Schenectady County [2 listings over 2 locations]
Ulster County [30 listings over 12 locations]
Westchester County [83 listings over 35 locations]
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Find list of the best places to hike in Dutchess County, New York. Hiking trails are listed by town within Dutchess County in the mid-Hudson Valley. Find hiking trails throughout Dutchess and experience hiking in Dutchess for the beginning, intermediate, and experienced hiker. Pack plenty of water, snacks, and your hiking gear, and select a great place to hike at Dutchess Hiking Trails where you can experience the thrill of a challenging hike; or for beginners, the satisfying feeling of spending a day outdoors surrounded by nature. Although hiking and walking may appear to be the same activity; hiking usually refers to the experience of walking on trails and paths away from the noise and pollution of an urban area. Hiking trails are often surrounded by clean air, trees, the sounds of birds and the wonderful breadth of nature. In contrast, you can walk just about anywhere, including busy streets in a nearby city such as Poughkeepsie, New York. Dutchess hiking offers a wide range of trails for all levels of hikers. The beginning, intermediate, and experienced hiker can find places to hike that are suitable for their level of expertise. Plan a vacation hiking in one of many beautiful parks throughout Dutchess. Dutchess abounds with excellenthiking trails and historic sites. You can plan a vacation in Dutchess where you combine visiting Historic Sites with hiking in Dutchess parks.
Hiking with KidsHiking is ranked among the best activities for kids. Most kids will enjoy a hike. When planning a hike, let the child's ability guide you. Some kids are more active and have more energy than other children. Let the age of the child and each individual child's ability to walk distances be your guide.The benefits of hiking with kids are many. Hiking allows you to share an experience or adventure with your child where you can discover nature and a healthy outdoor environment. Learn about birds, small animals, wild flowers, trees, and more about the natural world around us. You can work together with your child to map out and determine the hiking route that best suits you and your child's ability. In addition to the many benefits listed above, is the fact that hiking is good for your mental and physical health, and hiking is often free. A hike is within reach of most people that are reasonably healthy, regardless of financial circumstances. Involve your child in the planning stages of a hike. Select a trail together, and then create a simple map that your child can read while on the trail. You can also teach the child how to read trail markers. If your child is not initially interested in hiking, you may want to reward your child at the end of a hike for helping to find the hiking markers and the way forward or back to home base. This added incentive may encourage your child toward becoming a hiker. During the preparation phase of the hike, give children a list of hiking essentials and let them pack their own backpack. The backpack should include gear similar to your own such as a whistle, rainwear, compass, and first-aid kit. In addition to involving the children in "the adventure of hiking" they will feel grownup and responsible as you work together to make the hike a success. Before embarking on your hiking adventure assemble adequate supplies including plenty of water, healthy snacks that your child enjoys, and a map that your child can read. Involve them in decisions of where to hike as you would involve another adult. Here are some suggestions toward building a successful hiking experience with kids:
Fishing pond - Fishing in Dutchess Picnic area - Picnicking in Dutchess Playground - Playgrounds in Dutchess Swimming - Swimming in Dutchess The most important thing to remember is that hiking should be fun. Don't stress if you cannot complete your hike, or if it starts to rain, or if it's too hot. Just enjoy the day together. These memories will last a lifetime for both you and your children. The mid-Hudson Valley offers trails for all levels of hikers at Hiking in Dutchess County. Whether you are new to hiking or experienced on the trails, you'll find many places to comfortably and confidently hike. Check this list of places to hike in Dutchess County.
Hiking trails in Beacon: Hudson Highlands State Park Hiking trails in Dutchess: Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Dutchess County Hiking trails in Millerton Village: Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond Area Hiking trails in Fishkill: Fishkill Ridge Hiking trails in Pleasant Valley: James Baird State Park Hiking trails in Staatsburg: Mills Norrie State Park Hiking trails in Staatsburg: Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park Hiking trails in Wappingers Falls: Bowdoin Park Shorter hikes for the beginning hiker and intermediate hiker include Hiking trails in Beacon: Long Dock Park Hiking trails in Beacon: Madam Brett Park Hiking trails in Dutchess: Harlem Valley Rail Trail - Dutchess Hiking trails in Pawling: Lakeside Park Hiking trails in Poughkeepsie: Quiet Cove Riverfront Park Hiking trails in Poughkeepsie: Walkway Over The Hudson Hiking trails in Red Hook: Poets' Walk Park Hiking trails in Staatsburg: Staatsburg State Historic Site Hiking trails can vary in difficulty and in the time it takes to hike a trail. Hikes can take you across flat fields requiring less stamina or on hiking paths along mountain ranges, requiring a hiker in excellent health with good stamina and endurance. Hikes can be as short as an hour or take several months involving camping equipment and gear. Although hiking trails vary in difficulty, it is believed by most that hiking is good for your physical and mental health as well as your spirit. Many trails are located in large parks such as Taconic State Park offering all levels of hiking. Regardless of you skill, all hikers can benefit from the natural environment that allows you to breath-in fresh air, listen to the sounds of nature, the singing of birds, and the sounds of small animals running about. Photographers, be sure to bring your camera as hiking trails often run through scenic landscapes offering great photo opportunities. Before starting your first hike, review essentials for hiking. Essentials for Hiking SafetyTips for Safe Hiking. |