Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
129 Schoharie Street
Fort Hunter, NY 12069
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century's greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Visitor Center exhibit traces the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation.
Within the site's boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal's development. At the eastern end of the site is the Putman Lock Stand at Yankee Hill that houses an exhibit on Erie Canal stores. The site's largest structure is the remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Schoharie Creek.
Schoharie Crossing is also the location of 18th century Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk village. See artifacts from that portion of our history on display at the Visitor Center.
Stop into the Visitor Center to orient yourself to the site, check out the exhibit space and gift shop.
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers educational outreach programs as well as an on-site school field trips and special events.
2018 Geocache Challenge: Passports available at park and site offices too. 2018 Geocache Challenge is on from May 26th – November 11th. Find a Learn to Geocache Program at your favorite park and get started!
P.O. Box 140 Fort Hunter, NY 12069
Hours of Operation
- Grounds open dawn to dusk, year-round, weather permitting.
- Visitor Center:
May 2-Oct 31
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 am - 5 pm; Sundays 1 pm - 5 pm.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. - Site includes Schoharie Creek Aqueduct & Boat Launch, Putman Canal Store, Yankee Hill Locks, as well as miles of towpath trails. See Trail Map for details.
Fees & Rates
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
- Admission
There is no admission fee however some fees apply for special events, educational services, tours and the use of picnic areas.
$3/person school groups
$3/person for toursPlease contact the site for outreach program rates.
Maps
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
Our new exhibit, "Pathway to Empire: How the Erie Canal Helped Build America" will be open in 2018 and helps us mark the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal. This new exhibit highlights the major themes associated with the history of the canal and illustrates them with interesting artifacts and interactive displays. A major focal point of the exhibit is a scale model of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct and Lock 30, along with the Browns Cash Store that once stood along the canal here in Fort Hunter, NY. By using artifacts and primary documents, this exhibit delves into the geology, social and economic impacts, political motivations, and engineering of the nationally significant and historic waterway we know as the Erie Canal. With its rich history, the canal continues to play a critical role in the lives of all New Yorkers and Americans to this day.
Inside of our Visitor Center you can also view panels on the pre-canal history of the site. This portion of our exhibit highlights the Mohawk Village as well as the British Colonial fort that once existed along the banks of the Schoharie Creek. Witness artifacts that were excavated onsite that help tell the story of this era of New York and American History.
In partnership with the United States Geological Survey, there are panels that illustrate the historic water conditions of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River. This exhibit demonstrates the immense power of water and the destructive nature of flooding in the valleys.
Saturday, September 22, 2018 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Schoharie Crossing Boat Launch: Hartley Lane, Town of Glen off Rt 5S
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site has partnered with Audrey from Down by the River Kayak Rentals to deliver a free program for children ages (14 to 17) that will provide them with the opportunity to get out on the waters of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River in order to learn how to paddle safely. We will utilize the Schoharie Crossing Boat Launch off Rt. 5S across from Karen's Produce. This FREE program has a limited number of spots available in each of the two offered sessions. **Pre-registration is required. Use the link to register your paddler** This program is intended for children who have little or no experience kayaking. We are excited to be able to provide local children access to the vital and historically important waterways of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River.
***“Funding is provided through the New York State Connect Kids to Parks initiative, a program of the Environmental Protection Fund.”***
Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/WCvGeBqE1A1NWeaz1
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
In the Enders House- What happened when every engine in New York State effectively stopped working at the same time? Post-Civil War America is commonly thought of as a time of rapid industrialization and mechanization, but in reality, horses and mules were still at the heart of every transportation system in the country. Using collections from the new exhibit at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Senior Curator from the NYS Bureau of Historic Sites Travis Bowman will discuss the devastating effects of the horse influenza epizootic of 1872-3, which shut down the Erie Canal and possibly drove a leading freight company on the canal to go bankrupt in 1874.
There will be a brief Friends Group meeting prior to the presentation. This is a FREE event open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 05:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Visitor Center – Schoharie Street, Ft. Hunter
Join an environmental educator on at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site for a habitat hike to learn about the different animals that call this area home and some of their special characteristics. This program will meet at the Visitor Center and enjoy an hour-long walk around the site. This program is open to all ages, but has been designed for families with children ages 5 and up. The hike is a less than two mile round-trip and is weather dependent (will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or thunderstorms).
Registration is required for this program; please call Keri Surita at 518-584-2000, ext. 111, or email Keri.Surita@parks.ny.gov.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 01:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Visitor Center- Come explore the trails at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site w/ site educator David for this free Autumn Tour. The tour covers about a mile of the historic Erie Canal towpath and will include interpretive stops along the way. Autumn is a terrific time of year to walk the trails at Schoharie Crossing, and this is a great chance to get a free tour.
Tour time is approximately 90 minutes with interpretive stops. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking on grass trails. In case of *Rain* tour will be post-poned.
Amenities, Activities & Information
- Amenities
- Bridle Path
- Educational Services (Accessible)
- Gift Shop (Accessible)
- Interpretive Signs (Accessible)
- Museum/Visitors Center (Accessible)
- Scenic Views (Accessible)
- Self Guided Tours (Accessible)
- Activities
- Biking
- Group Tours (Accessible)
- Guided Tours (Accessible)
- Hiking (Accessible)
- Picnic Area (Accessible)
- X-Country Skiing