Now that warm weather is here and Spring is starting to make an appearance after a long winter’s nap, we wanted to show you the new and improved list of spots along the Hudson River to explore.
Bard Rock at Vanderbilt Estates–
The road down to Bard Rock is currently closed. If you park in the lot and proceed to walk, be careful of cars, and once you reach the closed sign, there is an option to take a nice soft path to the left. At Bard Rock, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the Hudson River. Remember, no swimming.
What is Bard Rock?
It’s best described on the NPS.GOV website. Below is an excerpt and you can read the full article (which is very interesting) on the website.
Persistent financial difficulties prevented Bard from pursuing such ambitious plans. Instead, he focused on the agricultural value of the property, establishing a farm and an orchard of several hundred apple trees. In 1768 he attempted to sell Hyde Park, advertising it as a good source of timber, arable fields, and convenient water transport. Of three river landings, the best was “a large flat rock, which forms a natural wharf” capable of accommodating large sloops. Known as Bard Rock, it was located near the farm at the north end of the property. Although Bard ultimately decided against selling Hyde Park, over the next three decades financial necessity required piecemeal sales of nearly half of the original 3,600 acres.
https://www.nps.gov/vama/learn/historyculture/bard-rock.htm
Croton Point Park, Croton NY
Mostly all road and wide path walking, this is an awesome place to explore for the whole family. We ignored AllTrails.com and made our own adventure. The only part that was hard to navigate, was a small section of beach. As the weather becomes warmer, the brush will grow in and make it hard to enter. There are also camping spots and a hall for rent. We found a random room under a hill and would love to find out the history of what that is … I will post an update. Stroller-friendly for the most part besides the beach and grassy stretch of field along the river. Great little playground. We started our hike by parking at the ball field and walked over the giant hill that used to be a garbage dump. No, it doesn’t smell.
*Side note-make sure you completely put out your fires even in the rings. We were hiking with a firefighter and got to watch him, the fire chief, tanker truck, and a police officer respond. It’s currently very dry and even a smoldering fire can catch surrounding areas outside the ring. Just be mindful.
Cohotate Preserve Trail, Rogers Island Game Management-Hudson NY.
This hike doesn’t have much of a “wow” factor. It is moderate because of the incline. However, I saw people of all ages and abilities hiking here. There is also a pond to walk around. No toe-dipping. But, if you complete the loop, start going left down the hill. There is a small area to stop and dip your toes in the Hudson. However, as I was heading down to the beach, I told my daughter to keep a distance between her and the child playing on the big tree. When we got down there, no one was there. So if you want to avoid ghosts, keep walking. The trail will spur downhill to the left. Follow it down, and there is a great place to dip the toes, take a break and enjoy the scenery.Â
THREE HUDSON VALLEY HIKES WITH ODD VIBES
Arden Point, Garrison NY
It is not a hard hike unless, like us, you lose the trail and end up on a narrow trail skirting a drop to the Hudson. Avoid all this and when crossing the trail tracks on right. Just stay to the left and there is a nice spot to enjoy the water.
Bonus video of Arden Point and Pelton Pond!
Esopus Meadows, Preserve, Ulster Park
This is super easy if staying right on the Hudson River. It’s also a short hike, coming in under a mile. However, there are several spots to sit and enjoy the water. Just don’t leave anything behind soaking in the beauty. Abby left Baby Rainbow Otter. We went all the way home only to have to turn around and go all the way back. Bonus, for leaving on my stove! So don’t leave anything behind. In case you were wondering, the otter was found and the house didn’t burn to the ground.
Another option is to go through the woods and access another water spot. It’s an interactive forest. This means that there are little plaques everywhere explaining the trees in the area.
There is a porta-a-potty at this location. Not sure if it is open as we strongly dislike them. Pee before you go.
Quiet Cove Park, Poughkeepsie is a nice relaxing spot. (seasonal)
There are places with chairs to sit and enjoy the Hudson. There is also a boat launch. Keep dogs leashed. They strongly enforce it at this location. Trust me. We recommend shoes at this location.
Little Stony Point in Cold Spring NY
is another awesome place that many people know about. So this sport is not much of a secret. There is a cave (watch for glass) and several places to enjoy the water. We also found an amazing overlook where you can see for miles on a clear day. Watch the rocks. When we went to the viewpoint, we were even with some birds soaring and it felt amazing.
Tivoli Bays–
If you head all the way down Cruger Island Rd in Red Hook NY, you will come to a couple small parking spots. Also, if you drive slowly, there is another lot at the end of the path to the right. There is a small spot to hide in a little cove at the end of the further parking destination. However, if you walk straight in at the end of the road, it is like another world. Be aware during high tide, the trail disappears. We have waded through it and don’t advise it. So travel at your own risk.
Once at the train tracks, if you carefully cross them, there are a whole bunch of extra trails. Some lead right to the Hudson River!
There are other trails throughout the area and a lot of kayakers use this area. Be careful. We got lost in the trail system the first time we were hiking in the woods.
Madam Brett Park, Beacon NY
I use GPS to find the park because even though we have walked here a million times, I still occasionally get turned around. However, you will know you are there if you go through the tunnel and are greeted with apocalyptic type buildings to your right.Â
You can go left or right. Left takes you to the waterfall. However, for connecting to the other two parks, people want to head right over the bridge with the water on the left and the falling down buildings to your right.
Eventually, you will see a turnoff. We love doing this offshoot because it takes you through the woods to a viewing platform of the marsh. Then just continue the horseshoe back to the main trail and walk on.
Soon the train tracks can be spotted on the left. Keep walking and head to your right. This now takes you out of Madam Brett Park and you can pick where you head next. At this point, you might just want to turn around.
SEE MOM’S HILARIOUS ACCOUNT OF FALLING IN MUD HERE. This trail has since been blocked off by the park
Dennings Point, Beacon NY
They have been doing construction at this location. This was our last picture of the old factory buildings.
We enjoy finding a trail on the right, that takes you down to the Hudson River. However, it can be steep and footing, not the safest. If you continue, on the main path, you will find Dennings Point. We have run into homeless down on the beach. So just beware of your surroundings.
I am not sure if you can still loop around as there are signs for habitat redevelopment. However, you can always trace your footstep back to where you started.
On this trip, we stopped at the offshoot trail and turned around going back to Madam Brett. When we completed this trip, it was around three miles total. However, you can make it longer and take the Fjord trail on the left. This trail will take you to Long Dock Park.
Long Dock Park, Beacon NY
Again easy trails. A few places to sit and look at the Hudson River. Be aware of pollution. We have seen a lot at this park. There are picnic benches to stop and take a rest as well as a few other spots along the way. After all, is said and done, retrace your steps back to the car.
- Food for thought. Dennings Point, Madam Brett and Long Dock all connect. You can literally spend a whole day exploring!
Kingston Point Rail Trail
We parked in a small lot beyond the Kingston waterfront district on the righthand side of the road. I didn’t see any signs and assume it was alright to park there. If anyone has a better suggestion for parking, let us know! We have also parked down by the waterfront district and picked up a section of the trail that way.
This trail is just over a mile and ends or begins at Kingston Point Rotary Park. It’s actually part of a whole system of greenline trails in Kingston. When you are in the park, there is a network of trails to ramble on. However, we just followed the All Trails App.
VIDEO OF KINGSTON POINT RAIL TRAIL!
The views of the Hudson River are beautiful and extremely peaceful. When in the park, there is an interesting flying disc sign, and I am so happy we weren’t hit by a flying disc. Abby also found a door and had to knock on it. She knocks on all doors.
SEE THIS DOOR SHE KNOCKED ON IN WOODS!
There are old train tracks that are followed for most of the walk. Don’t go barefoot. If you get a splinter from old rail tracks, it can cause a very serious infection. Your feet will also be black from the tar. Abby Girl often goes shoeless and her one foot was thick with tar by the time we returned to the car.
Lots of places to go and enjoy the Hudson. Our four-legged friend also enjoyed the walk. It is friendly for overweight, senior dogs.
When is all done, if you can skip the picnic, go into the River Front District for a wide variety of food to pick from. We like to head over the bridge and grab an ice cream.
If you want to walk more, park the car and pay the meter and stroll the paved path that goes through the district along the river. Stop at the riverfront museum and take a picture at the cutouts or look at the old boat.
Black Creek Preserve, Esopus–
Yes, if you hike over the bridge and then through the woods and down the mountain … You will eventually find the Hudson River. It’s more of an easy/moderate hike. It’s also the spot where Abby needed to go potty and next thing I saw was a swarm of bees that looked like a big, black cloud. I dove into the water with my child and made it out with only one bee sting. Being allergic, that almost was a very bad day. So stay on the trail. But, once you get to the Hudson, you will enjoy the water.
Kowawese Unique Area New Windsor NY–
Just south of Newburgh, AKA the Burgh, is this lovely gem. We have yet to even explore it all. However, I did find an arrowhead here. We went back and combed the beach and didn’t find any more. There is plenty of section to walk along the Hudson River. You can even do a loop through the woods. We are yet to explore the park to the right.
Tips:
Watch for Cowheads
Wear water shoes
No swimming. Just toe dipping
Sunscreen and snacks are probably a must
Change of clothes required when kids get wet
Watch for trash and glass. People have been a lot ruder with polluting lately on trails.
Final Thoughts-
Honestly, there are even more spots along the Hudson River to explore. However, I am exhausted and I personally think this is a fairly hefty list to get any explorers started. If you go to any of our spots listed, make sure to tag Adventures of Abby Girl on social media for a chance to be featured!
Warm weather hiking tips with kids!
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Stay Tuned as We compile another list of awesome spots in the Hudson River Valley to explore that have water.
