Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center is undergoing renovations. Staff will still be on hand to assist you on your visit by answering questions, providing historical interpretation on the Erie Canal as well as Fort Hunter, and giving tours by reservation.
Schoharie Crossing's Visitor Center will re-open on July 8th for Views & Vistas: The Natural and Built Environment of Schoharie Crossing art exhibit. Our new permanent exhibit will open in September of 2017 to mark the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal.
129 Schoharie Street
Fort Hunter, NY 12069
2017 Geocache Challenge
2017 Geocache Challenge Passport (May 27-Nov 11)
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.
P.O. Box 140 Fort Hunter, NY 12069
Hours of Operation
- Grounds open dawn to dusk, year-round, weather permitting.
- Visitor Center: During 2017 the Visitor Center exhibits are being renovated. We will be offering additional interpretive programs and tours during this time.
For more information, please contact SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov or (518) 829-7516.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 am - 5 pm; Sundays 1 pm - 5 pm.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. - Site includes Schoharie Creek Aqueduct & Boat Launch, Putnam 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 Empire Pass -- whether a card for $80 or a vehicle-affixed decal for $65 -- is 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. Apply 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 will open in September of 2017 to mark the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal. This new exhibit will highlight major themes associated with the history of the canal and illustrate them with interesting artifacts. A major focal point will be 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. This exhibit will delve 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.
Ongoing permanent exhibit: Little Short of Madness – the Story of the Erie Canal
Thomas Jefferson, like many others, thought the idea of a canal across New York was a “little short of madness.” But with determination the state and thousands of hard working individuals created what Jesse Hawley summed up as “…the longest canal, in the least time, with the least experience, with the least amount of money, of the greatest public utility in the world.”
The exhibit also features 3D video imaging of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct remains.
Come explore the exhibit and discover the marvels of New York’s earliest engineering feats.
Although it has been long known that the physical location of the 18th century Fort Hunter existed here within the space of the Visitor Center grounds, it took the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011 to give the first real look at its footprints. Two new panels are now installed at the visitor center featuring information on the flood, the damage, recovery and archeological finds. Artifacts from the excavation of a Fort Hunter Blockhouse that was revealed when flood waters removed the asphalt from the parking lot are now on display.
Sunday, August 20, 2017 06:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Join us for another terrific year of Not Just for Kids Storytelling at the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center.
July 30 — Jeannine Laverty - Finding Home: Mountains? Flatland? Sea? It's the search that counts, isn't it?
Aug. 6 — Elizabeth Ellis - Deniable Plausibility/Plausible Deniability: Tales True and Not so True
Aug. 13 — Peter Cook - A Feast for your eyes: ASL Storytelling
Aug. 20 — Michael Reno Harrell - WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE: Tales & tunes that connect us all
Aug. 27 — Joe Bruchac - OUR STORIES REMEMBER: Lesson stories and traditional music from the Native nations of the Northeastern Woodlands
Sept. 10 — Becky Holder - "Mapping the Geography of the Heart: from a gritty steel town to the beautiful Finger Lakes of Upstate New York"
Made possible with the support of: Saratoga Arts Community Arts Grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts w/ the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Sunday, August 27, 2017 06:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Join us for another terrific year of Not Just for Kids Storytelling at the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center.
July 30 — Jeannine Laverty - Finding Home: Mountains? Flatland? Sea? It's the search that counts, isn't it?
Aug. 6 — Elizabeth Ellis - Deniable Plausibility/Plausible Deniability: Tales True and Not so True
Aug. 13 — Peter Cook - A Feast for your eyes: ASL Storytelling
Aug. 20 — Michael Reno Harrell - WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE: Tales & tunes that connect us all
Aug. 27 — Joe Bruchac - OUR STORIES REMEMBER: Lesson stories and traditional music from the Native nations of the Northeastern Woodlands
Sept. 10 — Becky Holder - "Mapping the Geography of the Heart: from a gritty steel town to the beautiful Finger Lakes of Upstate New York"
Made possible with the support of: Saratoga Arts Community Arts Grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts w/ the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Sunday, September 10, 2017 06:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Join us for another terrific year of Not Just for Kids Storytelling at the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center.
July 30 — Jeannine Laverty - Finding Home: Mountains? Flatland? Sea? It's the search that counts, isn't it?
Aug. 6 — Elizabeth Ellis - Deniable Plausibility/Plausible Deniability: Tales True and Not so True
Aug. 13 — Peter Cook - A Feast for your eyes: ASL Storytelling
Aug. 20 — Michael Reno Harrell - WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE: Tales & tunes that connect us all
Aug. 27 — Joe Bruchac - OUR STORIES REMEMBER: Lesson stories and traditional music from the Native nations of the Northeastern Woodlands
Sept. 10 — Becky Holder - "Mapping the Geography of the Heart: from a gritty steel town to the beautiful Finger Lakes of Upstate New York"
Made possible with the support of: Saratoga Arts Community Arts Grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts w/ the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Join Environ-Mental Educator George Steel for a birdwatch along the banks of the Schoharie Creek and on the trails of Schoharie Crossing.
Begins outside the Visitor Center
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 01:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
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 postponed.
Amenities, Activities & Information
- Amenities
- Bridle Path
- Costumed Interpreters
- 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