Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

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Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

There will be no access to Upper Landing Park on Thursday 10/3 or Friday 10/4. As a result, the Walkway elevator will not be in operation during this time.

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
87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY 12528

Hours of Operation

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

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

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

  • 2024 Walkway Hours of Operation:
    1/1 - 2/4   7:00am - 5:00pm
    2/5 - 2/28   7:00am - 5:30pm
    2/29 - 3/9   7:00am - 6:00pm
    3/10 - 3/27   7:00am - 7:00pm
    3/28 - 4/21   7:00am - 7:30pm
    4/22 - 5/22   7:00am - 8:00pm
    5/23 - 7/31   7:00am - 8:30pm
    8/1 - 8/25   7:00am - 8:00pm
    8/26 - 9/8   7:00am - 7:30pm
    9/9 - 9/25   7:00am - 7:00pm
    9/26 - 10/14   7:00am - 6:30pm
    10/15 - 11/2   7:00am - 6:00pm
    11/3 - 12/31   7:00am - 5:00pm
  • Assorted Tours: Given by our Friends Group. Call (845) 454-9649 to schedule.
    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: Elevator is currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 90 minutes prior to Walkway closing. The elevator will be open 7 days a week beginning on 5/24. Hours of operation will be 9:00am to 90 minutes prior to Walkway closing.

    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
  • Bus: $35
  • Educational Programs
  • Fees are determined by the Friends of the Walkway
  • Vehicle Entrance Fee
  • Poughkeepsie parking available at 61 Parker Ave. $7 for 4 hours paid at pay station with cash or card. Highland parking available in the Hudson Valley Rail Trail parking lot located ¼ mile west of park entrance. There is currently no fee to park. However, town of Lloyd will be implementing paid parking in the near future.

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.

 

Sun 13 Oct
Flag Changing Ceremony
Sunday, October 13, 2024 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
The American Legion Post 739 organize and present monthly Flag Changing Ceremonies on the Walkway to honor our region's veterans and their service to our country. These events, organized and presented by these local veterans' organizations, are open to all who wish to attend.
Sun 13 Oct
Walkway Talks: 15 Years of Walkway Over the Hudson
Sunday, October 13, 2024 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Presented by Fred Schaeffer and special guests at Walkway's Ulster Welcome Center in Highland (87 Haviland Road) from 2:30-3:30 p.m. This event is free to attend and open to all. This is a celebration of stories of the journey that was taken to have the abandoned Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge become a pedestrian walkway. These stories will tell how the Walkway Over the Hudson came into being, first as a vision and then as a reality. The face and voice of the Walkway, Fred Shaeffer, will lead this celebration with his story of how his own dream became a reality.
Fri 18 Oct
Walkway At Night
Friday, October 18, 2024 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
The Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization is pleased to offer the opportunity to enjoy amazing Hudson Valley views after dark from 212 feet above the Hudson River at Walkway at Night. With the moon hanging high in the sky and the Mid-Hudson Bridge twinkling in the distance, there is truly nothing like a twilight evening on the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge. Our friends from the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association will be on-bridge with telescopes to view the night sky (weather permitting).Reserve your ticket for entry at walkway.org/walkwayatnight. As always, Walkway members are welcome to attend at no cost. Non-members can register for $5. Children 12 and under are free. Members have been emailed a special discount code to use upon registration providing one complimentary admission to Individual members, and up to four complimentary admissions for Household members.
Registration: Required
Sat 26 Oct
Walktoberfest Farmers and Makers Market
Saturday, October 26, 2024 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 26 and Sunday, October 27 from 12-5 p.m. Vendors will exhibit their wares for tasting or purchase, allowing participants to support several local agribusinesses in one location. With more than 150 vendors located throughout the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Walkway's Ulster Welcome Center Plaza (87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY, 12528), Walktoberfest features not only farm-fresh products, food from local restaurants, and beer, wine, and spirits samples in a designated tasting area, but also art installations, locally made goods, a special area for children's activities, and more. All proceeds from Walktoberfest benefit the Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization. For complete information, visit walkway.org/walktoberfest.
Registration: Required
Did You Know? The bridge opened to the public October 3, 2009 at 3 PM.

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Tours (Accessible)