Peekskill
Riverfront Green, just off Route 9 adjacent to the Metro-North Peekskill station. Sit on a riverside bench, enjoy a picnic, fly a kite or bring the kids to the playground at one of Peekskill's biggest attractions. A public boat launching ramp is also available. Many special events and concerts are held here throughout the year, so check the calendar listings for Historic River Towns. (914) 724-PARK.
Charles Point Pier Park, just south of Peekskill's Riverfront Park, Charles Point offers another stunning view of the Hudson River. Fishing is allowed here with a valid license. (914) 734-PARK.
Blue Mountain Reservation, Welcher Avenue, off 9A. This 1,888-acre county-owned park offers an expanse of hiking trails, picnic areas, playground facilities, a small lake and beach and fishing. Trails are heavily wooded but very well marked. One trail offers a climb to the top of Mount Spitzenburg for an unforgettable view of the Hudson Valley clear to New York City. The Blue Mountain Trail Lodge has dormitory accommodations, a central dining and living room and a kitchen. It is available for group rental by organizations of up to 30 people through the year except during the summer months. Parking is $7 without a county pass and there are extra fees to swim. 737-2194.

Cortlandt
Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway. This 16-mile trailway offers a scenic walk from northern Westchester county into New York City, or vice versa, following the path of the aqueduct that was once used to bring fresh water from the Croton River to the city. The trailway is owned and managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and traverses most of the Historic River Towns. And while mostly a walking path, the trailway does have some sections suitable for horseback riding. No motorized vehicles are permitted anywhere along the trailway. Many points of access make it easy to walk sections of the trail -- train stations and bus stops are within walking distance, or a quick taxi ride, from almost any place along the path. And although much of the path is easy to find, with trails identified by Taconic Region markers, walkers interested in traversing longer sections of the trailway are encouraged to call or write for a map which details the route, offering specific directions for some of the more difficult areas of the trail. The trail begins on the south side of the Croton dam, farthest away from the spillway. Along the way walkers will see old ventilator shafts as well as a weir chamber, used to spill off waste water during floods. Through the Tarrytowns the trail passes right through Sleepy Hollow country, passing behind the Old Dutch Church cemetery made famous in Washington Irving's stories and crossing the Pocantico River near the spot where the Headless Horseman scared Ichabod Crane. Various parts of the trail offer spectacular Hudson River views. (914) 889-4100.
Croton Gorge Park, Route 129. The Croton Dam offers visitors a spectacular view as water cascades first down a tiered hill and then into the rocky Croton River. A great spot for fishing as well as picnicking with the family. Ball fields and a play area for children also are available. The Croton Aqueduct Trail takes hikers on a scenic jaunt through the woods and if they walk far enough (about 2 1/2 miles), gives them a view of the Hudson River. Great spot for sledding and cross-country skiing during the winter. Exit Route 9 at the 9A, 129 exit. Turn right and then make a left at the second traffic light and you're on 129. Follow the road about 2-3 miles and the park entrance is on the right. Part of the Westchester County Park system, parking is $7 without a pass (if there's a guard attending the booth). (914) 271-3293.
George's Island Park, Dutch Street, Montrose. A beautiful park along the shore of the Hudson River, George's Island is a popular spot for boat-launching. The site can accommodate boats up to 21 feet and is open seven days a week from April through October. Boat launching fees are $2 with a county park pass, $5 without for car-top carried boats; $10 with a park pass and $13 without for trailer-carried boats. The park also offers a great spot for picnicking, hiking, nature study and fishing. Ball fields are also found in the park. (914) 737-7530.
Oscawana Park, Furnace Dock Road off Route 9, Cortlandt. Offers hiking and nature study. (914) 271-3293.
Sportsman Center, Watch Hill Road, off 9A. Located on 300 acres of the Blue Mountain Reservation, the center provides safe, convenient and diversified target areas for trap and skeet, small bore and large bore rifle, pistol and archery. New York State pistol permit required for pistols only. Open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Thursday and Friday hours are offered April through November. (914) 737-7450.

Croton-on-Hudson
Croton Point Park, Croton Avenue. A jewel on the Hudson, this Westchester County park offers tent, cabin and trailer camping May through October. A newly opened beach on the Hudson River, picnicking, softball fields, hiking, fishing and play areas for children also are available. Many outdoor concerts and special events are held here. Watch the calendar of events for Historic River Towns for more information. Park is within walking distance from the Croton-Harmon railroad station. Parking is $8 without a county park pass. The beach is open weekends and holidays for swimming, June 12 through Labor Day. For camping, call the park office at (914) 862-5290. For picnic reservations, call (914) 864-7075.

Ossining
Teatown Lake Reservation, Spring Valley Road, Ossining. Special programs and classes abound at this beautiful nature preserve and educational center. Naturalists give presentations, featuring live animals of course, on birds of prey, reptiles, bees and honey-making and much more. Hiking trails roam the hilly terrain, hardwood forest and wetlands. A 32-acre lake surrounds Wildflower Island and is a popular winter ice-skating spot. Indoor exhibits and a nature store are also featured. Many interesting events, festivals and family days are planned here, so watch the calendar of events for more information. (914) 762-2912.
Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway is a 12-mile hiking trail that runs between Route 9A in Ossining and the Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. The trail offers spectacular Hudson River views from the top of Mount Spitzenburg. Call for more information. (914) 593-PARK.

Sleepy Hollow
Rockefeller State Preserve, Route 117 East, Sleepy Hollow. Woodlands, meadows, wetlands and a 24-acre lake offer a wonderful retreat from the city. Come to jog, cross-country ski or study nature. Fishing licenses are required and horseback riding is allowed with a permit. There is no entrance to the preserve on westbound 117. Although Kykuit, former home of the Rockefellers and one of the valley's most popular attractions, is located adjacent to the preserve, tours of this historic home leave from Philipsburg Manor. See the historic attractions page for more information. The preserve is open daily. (914) 631-1470.
Kingsland Point Park, Palmer Avenue off Route 9 in Sleepy Hollow. A scenic county park right on the Hudson River. Take a walk along the river and enjoy a picnic. Open to Westchester County residents only in season. (914) 631-1068.
Tarrytown Lighthouse, Palmer Avenue, Sleepy Hollow. A trip to this historic lighthouse begins at Kingsland Point Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lighthouse offers nature and historic heritage programs on a monthly basis and features exhibits of logbooks and chronicles, photographs and furnishings that illustrate what life was like in a lighthouse more than 100 years ago. Guided tours for groups are available by reservation only. Admission to the lighthouse is free. Call for tour information or calendar of events, or watch the calendar listings for Historic River Towns. (914) 593-2650.

Tarrytown
Patriot's Park, North Broadway (Route 9) just past Warner Library (121 N. Broadway). Explore a bit of history viewing the statue commemmorating the patriots who captured Major John Andre, the British officer seized as he made his way through what is now Tarrytown with the plans for West Point, given to him by Benedict Arnold. Enjoy lunch on a park bench and let the kids romp in the children's playground. A passive but beautiful park to enjoy the outdoors. (914) 631-8389.
Pierson Park, West Main Street. Enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson River and Palisades as you walk, picnic, fish or play basketball or tennis. Grills are available for barbecueing. This popular park is open to the public, but because of its high demand, permits from the village of Tarrytown are required. So call ahead if you're looking for a way to spend a day outdoors. (914) 631-8389.

Yonkers
Tibbetts Brook Park, Midland Avenue. Swimming, picnicking, hiking and fishing are among the warmer-weather activities people can enjoy here. And the park doesn't sleep during the colder weather. Sledding, skiing and ice skating are among the winter activities to be enjoyed. Westchester County park passes are required for admission. (914) 965-1901.
Sprain Ridge Park, Jackson Avenue. This 270-acre park in the county's southern end boasts three swimming pools and two picnic areas. The park also has many ponds and ravines and three hiking trails with views overlooking the Sprain Ridge Reservoir. The area of woods, about a half a mile wide and three miles long, is bordered by the Sprain Brook Parkway on the East and the Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway on the west. A county park pass is required for admission. (914) 478-2300.
Lenoir Preserve, Dudley Street. A 40-acre nature preserve features a rolling lawn and unobstructed views of the Hudson River and majestic Palisades. An interpretive nature center staffed with a full-time naturalist and programs offered each weekend make this a great place to bring the family. Group tours are available by reservation. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. (914) 968-5831.
Dunwoodie Golf Course, Yonkers Avenue. This 18-hole course is open to the public from April through the second Sunday in December. Offers a clubhouse with lockers, restaurants and halfway house, golf shop, golf professional and golf-cart rental. A driving range also is available on site and parking is free. Depending on day and time played, greens fees range from $5 to $40. County pass holders receive reduced fees. Cross-country skiing and sledding facilities are available here in season. (914) 476-5151.
Sprain Lake Golf Course, Grassy Sprain Road. Sprain Lake offers the same amenities, costs and features as the above-mentioned Dunwoodie, with the exception of a driving range. Sledding and cross-country skiing also is offered here during the winter months. (914) 779-5180.

Return to hudsonriver.com home page