Franny Reese State Park provides an exciting place to explore nature up close. It offers over 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails that follow a historic carriage road and passes by the ruins of a 19th century mansion. An overlook affords amazing views of the Hudson River, Mid-Hudson Bridge, Walkway Over the Hudson Historic Park, and the City of Poughkeepsie.  A connecting trail links the park to the Walkway Loop Trail and Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.

Scenic Hudson protected these 251 acres in 2003 and continues to manage this stunning landscape, named in memory of environmentalist Frances "Franny" Reese (1917-2003). In 2009, shortly after ownership was transferred to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the park officially opened.

Please Note: Deer ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, are a growing problem in this area. Take precautions and check for ticks after leaving. Exercise caution when walking alone.

Opened year-round, daily, dawn to dusk

Dogs must be leashed and owner must clean up after them.

Franny Reese State Park

In October 2009, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened 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 6,768 feet (1.28 miles) long, making it the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. 

The Poughkeepsie-Highland  Railroad Bridge was built in the late 19th century to link New York and New England to an extensive, nationwide railway network.  For decades, it was a major rail corridor for both freight and passengers.

After a fire in 1974, the bridge was abandoned and sat for decades as an orphaned relic.  The park was made possible due to the unwavering commitment of the community, who, through a non-profit organization called Walkway Over the Hudson, forged a public-private partnership involving the State of New York, the federal government, neighboring municipalities, private corporations and other not for profit groups.  The amazing result of this partnership is Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, one of the Hudson Valley's top attractions.  

Ride the glass elevator up to the park or down to the Poughkeepsie waterfront and be treated to great views of the surrounding scenery and the structure of the bridge. The elevator is located at Upper Landing Park (83 N. Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY), a short walk from the Poughkeepsie Train Station. While there is no vehicular parking at Upper Landing, parking can be found in the surrounding area. Visit http://upperlanding.org/parking/ for details. Although leashed pets are allowed on the Walkway, only service animals are permitted on the elevator. Bicycles can be brought on the elevator.

The park offers interpretive signs and a Talkway Over the Walkway cell phone tour. There is also an audio tour available online in English, Spanish and Mandarin at https://walkway.org/walkway-audio-tours.

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

James Baird State 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. Work began on the park and golf course in 1940. Construction continued intermittently during World War II and the James Baird State Park Golf Course was officially opened in 1948. Nationally renowned golf architect, Robert Trent Jones designed a scenic, fairly flat 18-hole golf course on this large tract of farmland in Pleasant Valley. To golfers' delight, the par 5, 13th hole is one of the most challenging in the Hudson Valley. In addition to the golf course, the park now also boasts a driving range, pro shop, clubhouse and a snack bar at the 1st and 10th holes.

James Baird State Park has much to offer. There are spacious open and wooded picnic areas and two picnic pavilions which can accommodate up to 300 people each by reservation. There is a playground as well as a sports complex where visitors enjoy playing basketball, softball, tennis and volleyball. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the seven miles of scenic wooded trails ideal for hiking in the warm months and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the wintertime.

James Baird State Park

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. The numerous trails that thread through the grounds of both Mills and Norrie State Parks are ideal for walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing - treating visitors to fabulous views of the Hudson River which runs directly along the parks' western boundaries.

A serene wooded area with glimpses of the river provides an ideal location for camping. Campers will have convenient access to attractions within the park and in nearby towns like Hyde Park, Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie. There are 46 tent sites and 10 cabins available for rental at the park. Recreational vehicles are also welcome; however, the park does not offer hook up facilities. River access is available for campers with boats at the Norrie Marina and at the Norrie Environmental Center. Restroom facilities and showers are located within walking distance.

A marina consisting of slip space and a boat launch ramp is a popular area within the park. There are 145 slips, both fixed piers and floating docks, which are rented on a seasonal basis. Transient boaters are welcome if space allows. The marina also houses showers and a pump out station. For a nominal fee, electrical hookups are available.

Mills Norrie State Park (Margaret Lewis Norrie)

Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park adjoins Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park and together, comprise more than one thousand acres. Mills Memorial State Park is the home of Dinsmore Golf Course and Staatsburgh State Historic Site. The numerous trails that thread through the grounds of both Mills and Norrie State Parks are ideal for walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing - treating visitors to fabulous views of the Hudson River which runs directly along the parks' western boundaries. For information on the campground and marina located at Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park, please visit the park's separate web page.

Dinsmore Golf Course is one of the oldest public golf courses in the country. This scenic course offers tee times for either 9 or 18 hole rounds of golf. The original course was built in 1893 and consisted of only 9 holes on the south side of the present course. At that time, Dinsmore was a private course enjoyed by the many prominent families living along the Hudson River. In 1952 the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation acquired the golf course and in the early 1960's created an additional 9 holes. These holes currently form the north side of the present course. Dinsmore Golf Course is also home to a full service restaurant and office. The office offers golf carts for rental and gift certificates for purchase.

Staatsburgh State Historic Site, an elegant country house located atop a grassy hill overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains, is the centerpiece of Mills State Park. Designed by Stanford White, this elegant beaux-arts estate is open year round. In the summer months, the grounds of Staatsburgh provide a dramatic backdrop for a concert series co-sponsored by Hyde Park Recreation, as well as numerous community businesses. In addition guided tours of the mansion are available and special programs are offered throughout the year.

Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park

Located in Ulster County, NY Minnewaska State Park Preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. And, all this within an hour and a half drive from New York City. 


Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, scuba-diving, rock-climbing, bouldering, boating and marveling at the scenery. Horseback riding and cross-country ski trails are available as well. Technical Rock Climbing permitted.  

Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area: Sam's Point Preserve is located on the highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains, is the most southerly section of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. To further explore Sam's Point, visit their calendar of events.

The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides a high quality, minimalist camping experience for visitors to the breathtaking Shawangunk Mountains. The tent-only campground includes a pavilion and cooking area, bathhouse and restroom facilities, and circulation trails. There are 24 drive-in spots (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in spots. All sites accommodate up to two tents (and four people) per pad. Recreational vehicles are not permitted. Camping is open mid-May through mid-November, weather permitting.

The campground, managed cooperatively by the American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve, is located at 953 State Route 299 Gardiner, NY 12525, within a five minute drive of the main entrances of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Campground office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For additional information, please contact the campground at: (845) 255-0032, or visit the American Alpine Club lodging page at http://lodging.americanalpineclub.org/ and click on the Samuel Pryor Shawangunk Gateway Campground.

For more information and to register for programs, please call the Park Preserve Office at 845-255-0752. The Park Preserve opens daily at 9:00 AM and closing times vary throughout the year. The fee for parking at Minnewaska is $10 per car. There are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of more than 23,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner, New York.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the park is nestled in the 16,000 acre Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. FWP offers 18 km of machine groomed, tracked and mapped trails for beginning and expierenced skiers and snowshoers. Families find the park particularly enjoyable because it offers easy terrain to ski on near the lodge. The sledding hill and hot chocolate to sip in front of the outdoor fireplace are nice compliments to day-long trips.

The Park features a warming lodge with ski rentals, food, beverages, and restrooms. Rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. The Winter Park is located at an elevation of 1,100 feet which helps capture addition snow during storms. Along with a forested northwest trail system, this helps maintain a good snow base. A variety of lodging options are close by. For groups of 35 or more, modern winterized cabins are available in the park at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center.

Franny Reese State Park Maps

Highland, NY

Franny Reese State Park Description

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