1) Hike Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve offers options for every adventure seeker to explore over 8,000 acres. Choose from hiking, biking, climbing, and horseback riding to explore the beautiful, scenic views that the Hudson Valley has to offer. They even have cross country skiing and snowshoeing for the snowy months! The Mohonk Preserve is the largest nonprofit member and visitor-supported nature preserve in New York State. They have basic annual memberships, as well as day passes that give you access to all of the trails. The passes can be purchased online or at their visitor center located at 3197 State Route 55, Gardiner, NY. The Preserve is open year-round and has trails that connect to the Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Mountain House if you are looking to further explore the area. Happy Hiking!
Mohonk Preserve offers options for every adventure seeker to explore over 8,000 acres. Choose from hiking, biking, climbing, and horseback riding to explore the beautiful, scenic views that the Hudson Valley has to offer. They even have cross country skiing and snowshoeing for the snowy months! The Mohonk Preserve is the largest nonprofit member and visitor-supported nature preserve in New York State. They have basic annual memberships, as well as day passes that give you access to all of the trails. The passes can be purchased online or at their visitor center located at 3197 State Route 55, Gardiner, NY. The Preserve is open year-round and has trails that connect to the Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Mountain House if you are looking to further explore the area. Happy Hiking!
2) Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 22 mile linear park from Wallkill to Kingston offering scenic nature views. The trail welcomes walkers, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, dog walkers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers. The Rail Trail offers history, community, and nature to its users, connecting towns from Wallkill to Kingston. In New Paltz you can get on the trail by Water Street Market and head South towards Gardiner, or head North by Huguenot Street towards Kingston. The trail connects the business districts of Gardiner, New Paltz, and Rosendale. It showcases the history of the area including Historic Huguenot Street, Kingston's Stockade District built by Peter Stuyvesant in 1658, and cement mines that built the Brooklyn Bridge and America's first skyscrapers. Stop by the family-owned farms and farmer's markets to pick up some fresh produce along the way as you enjoy the nature of the Hudson Valley.
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 22 mile linear park from Wallkill to Kingston offering scenic nature views. The trail welcomes walkers, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, dog walkers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers. The Rail Trail offers history, community, and nature to its users, connecting towns from Wallkill to Kingston. In New Paltz you can get on the trail by Water Street Market and head South towards Gardiner, or head North by Huguenot Street towards Kingston. The trail connects the business districts of Gardiner, New Paltz, and Rosendale. It showcases the history of the area including Historic Huguenot Street, Kingston's Stockade District built by Peter Stuyvesant in 1658, and cement mines that built the Brooklyn Bridge and America's first skyscrapers. Stop by the family-owned farms and farmer's markets to pick up some fresh produce along the way as you enjoy the nature of the Hudson Valley.
3) Walkway over the Hudson
The Walkway over the Hudson is the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge stretching from Highland to Poughkeepsie. It offers beautiful views of the Hudson River and is perfect for a sunset stroll. The bridge opened in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad bridge, used to transport materials to eastern industrial centers and was used by freight trains and passenger trains. It was destroyed by a fire in 1974 and remained untouched until the Dyson Foundation rebuilt and re-opened it in October of 2009, creating the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Now the Walkway is open to the public for walking, running, and biking. The Highland entrance (Walkway West) parking is located at 87 Haviland Rd., Highland, NY, 12528 and the Poughkeepsie entrance (Walkway East) parking is located at 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601. An Elevator entrance is also available at the train station, 83 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601.
The Walkway over the Hudson is the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge stretching from Highland to Poughkeepsie. It offers beautiful views of the Hudson River and is perfect for a sunset stroll. The bridge opened in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad bridge, used to transport materials to eastern industrial centers and was used by freight trains and passenger trains. It was destroyed by a fire in 1974 and remained untouched until the Dyson Foundation rebuilt and re-opened it in October of 2009, creating the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Now the Walkway is open to the public for walking, running, and biking. The Highland entrance (Walkway West) parking is located at 87 Haviland Rd., Highland, NY, 12528 and the Poughkeepsie entrance (Walkway East) parking is located at 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601. An Elevator entrance is also available at the train station, 83 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601.
4) Kayaking
Explore New Paltz along the Wallkill River with New Paltz Kayaking. Enjoy scenic views as you float down the river. New Paltz Kayaks will set you up with everything you need from kayaks to paddles to life jackets and are located at Sojourner Truth Park on Plains Road. NP Kayaks also offers drop off services with advanced registration to lakes including Chodikee Lake and Black Creek in Highland, or Rondout Creek and Esopus Creek in Rosendale. Their rental rates are by hour starting at $20 and they have a variety of equipment to choose from. Kayaking is a great way to explore New Paltz in a different way and enjoy nature.
Explore New Paltz along the Wallkill River with New Paltz Kayaking. Enjoy scenic views as you float down the river. New Paltz Kayaks will set you up with everything you need from kayaks to paddles to life jackets and are located at Sojourner Truth Park on Plains Road. NP Kayaks also offers drop off services with advanced registration to lakes including Chodikee Lake and Black Creek in Highland, or Rondout Creek and Esopus Creek in Rosendale. Their rental rates are by hour starting at $20 and they have a variety of equipment to choose from. Kayaking is a great way to explore New Paltz in a different way and enjoy nature.
5) Biking
Biking is a great way to explore New Paltz and get a good workout in at the same time! Don't have a bike? New Paltz Biking has you covered. They offer bike rentals at the River-To-Ridge Parking lot off of Springtown Road and they also have a drop off service available within a 15-mile radius of New Paltz if you schedule ahead of time. There are tons of biking trails available in New Paltz such as Mohonk Preserve, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Walkway Over the Hudson, as well as riding around town.
Biking is a great way to explore New Paltz and get a good workout in at the same time! Don't have a bike? New Paltz Biking has you covered. They offer bike rentals at the River-To-Ridge Parking lot off of Springtown Road and they also have a drop off service available within a 15-mile radius of New Paltz if you schedule ahead of time. There are tons of biking trails available in New Paltz such as Mohonk Preserve, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Walkway Over the Hudson, as well as riding around town.