Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

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Address
Highland Entrance:
87 Haviland Road
Highland, NY 12528

Poughkeepsie Entrance:
61 Parker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Latitude 41.711
Longitude -73.949

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Pet Policy

Household pets only on the Walkway; must be on a leash not more than 6 feet long. Only service animals are permitted on the elevator.

There are access points to the park on both sides of the Hudson River

East side of the River (Dutchess County) 61 Parker Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. West side of the River (Ulster County) 87 Haviland Rd. Highland, NY 12528

Nearby

Dutchess County Rail Trail-continuing on from the Walkway and through the parking lot, it is located on the east side of the Hudson River Hudson Valley Rail Trail-continuing on from the Walkway and past the Park Office, it is located on the west side of the Hudson River Mid-Hudson Children's Museum-located in Poughkeepsie

Elevator

The elevator will operate weekends only from April 2 through Memorial Day, then seven days a week until Thanksgiving Weekend. Hours of operation from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather including heavy rain, high winds, and thunderstorms, the elevator may close temporarily. To check operational status, call the Elevator Hotline at 845-834-3641.

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 and bicyclists. 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.

 
Reminders:

  • Check the Hours of Operation tab to find opening and closing times.
  • The Golden Park Pass does not apply at this park.

There are access points to the park on both sides of the Hudson River: 

East side of the River (Dutchess County) 61 Parker Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Directions:
By train: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is located just 4 blocks north of the Metro North and Amtrak station in Poughkeepsie. If the elevator is open, exit the station via the Water Street exit and walk north for five minutes to Upper Landing Park, on the left. Otherwise, take a 15-minute walk to Washington Street to climb the staircase up to the bridge.

By car: take Route 9 to Route 9G north (Marist Drive). Bear right onto Washington Street. Proceed on Washington Street for 0.5 miles. Turn left on Route 9G/Parker Avenue. Walkway's parking lot is on the left side.

West side of the River (Ulster County) 87 Haviland Rd. Highland, NY 12528

Directions:
Located just north of the Mid-Hudson Bridge Take Route 9W to Haviland Road. Accessible parking (permit only) is provided in a small parking lot (on left, approx. 0.5 miles). All other parking is along the north side of Haviland Road.

Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near this historic park!

  • Sojourner Truth Statue- located on the Ulster County side of the park, the statue honors the life and legacy of one of nation's leading voices for abolition and universal suffrage in the nineteenth century
  • Dutchess County Rail Trail- continuing on from the Walkway and through the parking lot, it is located on the east side of the Hudson River
  • Hudson Valley Rail Trail- continuing on from the Walkway and past the Park Office, it is located on the west side of the Hudson River
  • Mid-Hudson Children's Museum- located in Poughkeepsie, the museum boasts hands-on exhibits and interesting programs for the whole family. The museum is located at 75 N. Water Street in Poughkeepsie, next to Upper Landing Park and the Walkway elevator. 

Household pets only on the Walkway; must be on a leash not more than 6 feet long. Only service animals are permitted on the elevator.

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 889 Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

Hours of Operation

  • Park is open year-round, conditions permitting,from dawn to dusk.

    Current hours of operation
    *Normal operational hours can change in accordance with the weather.

    Office is open 8:00 - 4:30 pm, daily.

  • Assorted Tours: By appointment
    Walkway Overview
    Guided bird walk
    Hudson River Ecology Tour
    Bridge/Walkway Engineering Tour
    Regional History Tour

    Educational Programs: Year-round by appointment.

    Public Programs: Call for schedule.

    Special Events: Many throughout the year, call for current schedule.

    Special Activities by Permit: Weddings, private parties, sporting events, fund-raising events. Fees vary according to date/time and scope of event. Call 845-834-2867 for schedule and information.
  • Elevator: will open for the season on April 2.

    The elevator will operate weekends only from April 2 through Memorial Day, then seven days a week until Thanksgiving Weekend.

    Hours of operation from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.

    In the event of inclement weather including heavy rain, high winds, and thunderstorms, the elevator may close temporarily. To check operational status, call the Elevator Hotline at 845-834-3641.


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.

  • Bus
  • Suggested Donation: $100
  • Educational Programs
  • On site - Adults: $5 / Students: $2
    Off site - $30/hour
  • Vehicle Entrance Fee
  • $7/four hours. Automated parking system that accepts cash, credit and debit cards at Poughkeepsie parking lot; pay box that accepts cash only in the Highland parking lot.

A Brief History

  • 1868 - An article in the Poughkeepsie Journal introduced the idea of building a railroad bridge across the Hudson.
  • 1871 - The Poughkeepsie railroad bridge was chartered.
  • 1873 - The first cornerstone of the bridge was laid.
  • 1888 - The bridge opened in December and was considered a technological wonder. 1889 - Trains started crossing and at that time it was the longest bridge in the world.World War II - through the war, the bridge carried troops to be shipped overseas. At it's height, 3,500 train cars crossed the bridge on a daily basis.
  • 1974 - Fire severely damaged the tracks, ending almost a century of continuous use.
  • 1992 - Walkway Over the Hudson began its efforts to provide public access to the bridge and link rail trails on both sides of the Hudson.
  • 1998 - Walkway Over the Hudson assumed ownership of the bridge.
  • 2007 - Walkway Over the Hudson partnered with the Dyson Foundation to access public and private funding in order to transform the bridge into the world's largest pedestrian park.
  • 2008 - After a groundbreaking held in May, construction work began to transform the bridge into a pedestrian park.
  • October 3, 2009 - Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened to the public.
  • August 14, 2014 - A grand opening is held for an elevator connecting the Walkway to the Poughkeepsie waterfront. The new glass elevator is located at Upper Landing Park and is just a short walk from Waryas Park, fine dining and the Poughkeepsie Train Station.

 

Sat 23 Sep
Sunrise Stroll
Saturday, September 23, 2023 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Celebrate the start of a new season with a Sunrise Stroll on the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises in line with the Walkway deck, making for a spectacular photo opportunity. We're opening the gates early on both approaches to allow everyone to enjoy this magnificent experience. There's no cost to attend Sunrise Stroll.
Sun 24 Sep
Hudson Valley Ramble Historical Tour
Sunday, September 24, 2023 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
As part of the Hudson Valley Ramble program, you're invited to join us for a free, one-hour historical tour of Walkway Over the Hudson. Led by trained volunteer Ambassadors, attendees will learn about the park's past as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge (the longest in the world when it opened in 1889) as well as its present and future as Walkway Over the Hudson – the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge – while enjoying breathtaking panoramic Hudson Valley views from 212 feet above the Hudson River. Attendees meet at the Walkway's west gate in Highland (87 Haviland Road) prior to departure at 1 p.m. and should expect to walk approximately one mile during the hour-long tour.
Fri 06 Oct
Starry Starry Night
Friday, October 6, 2023 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Celebrate the anniversary of Walkway Over the Hudson's grand opening and the millions of connections made high atop the Hudson River since 2009. Be part of this year's Starry Starry Night – a magical evening showcasing the bounty of the Hudson Valley and highlighting Walkway's profound impact on our region. To secure tickets, visit walkway.org/starrystarrynight.
Sun 15 Oct
Walkway Talks – Prominent Families of Franny Reese Park
Sunday, October 15, 2023 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Visitors to Franny Reese Park want to know about the many large, ruined structures in the park – How were these buildings used? What did they look like originally? Who lived here? This presentation will trace the history of the two prominent families who lived on the 251 acres that now constitute Franny Reese Park. This talk will include studying early maps, many photographs of the two mansions in the park, the people who lived here, and all the large outbuildings that supported the estates, even in the years before electricity. Presented by Joan de Vries Kelley, one of the original Walkway Ambassadors, at the Ulster Welcome Center. This program is free of charge and open to all.
Sat 21 Oct
Walktoberfest
Saturday, October 21, 2023 until Sunday, October 22, 2023 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
The Walktoberfest Farmers and Makers Market brings a curated selection of the Hudson Valley's finest producers – farms, distilleries, breweries, wineries, restaurants, artists, artisans, and more – to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and west approach to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 from 12-5 p.m. Vendors will exhibit their wares for tasting or purchase, allowing participants to support several local agribusinesses in one location. Visit walkway.org/walktoberfest for more information.

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Additional Documents

Did You Know? 973 concrete panels form the deck of the Walkway.

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Tours (Accessible)