Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a pedestrian bridge over the Hudson River, connecting Poughkeepsie with Highland. You can walk its paved route, link it with rail trails on either bank, and choose between entrances in Dutchess and Ulster counties.
- Length: 1.28 miles, 212 feet above the Hudson River.
- Access: Main approaches are in Poughkeepsie and Highland.
- Hours: Open seven days a week, year-round, from 7 a.m. until sunset, weather permitting.
- Admission: Free during regular operating hours; special events may have different arrangements.
What the Walkway Is
The Walkway is a 1.28-mile pedestrian bridge above the Hudson River, linking Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County with Highland in the Town of Lloyd, Ulster County. Its deck stands 212 feet above the river.
Completed in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, it was taken out of service after a fire in 1974. It reopened as a pedestrian walkway on October 3, 2009. Today, the bridge connects the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland with the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail in Poughkeepsie and forms part of the Empire State Trail.
You can make the bridge itself your walk or connect your visit with either rail trail. Leashed, well-behaved pets are allowed, and smoking is prohibited in the park.
Choosing an Access Point
The two main entrances are at 87 Haviland Road in Highland and 61 Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Choose your starting side based on parking, public transportation, or the trail you plan to connect with.
The Poughkeepsie entrance is the rail-access option: Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad serve Poughkeepsie station. The Washington Street Stairs entrance, at 131 Washington Street, is 0.7 mile from the station. Upper Landing Park, on Water Street, provides access to the bridge elevator. Dutchess Transit is another public transportation option in Poughkeepsie; check current routes and schedules before relying on it.
In Highland, the main entrance is at 87 Haviland Road. This side links directly with the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, while the Poughkeepsie side connects with the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail.
If your Hudson Valley plans also include planning a visit to Dia Beacon, treat it as a separate stop rather than part of the bridge route.
Hours, Parking, and Accessibility
The Walkway is generally open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset, weather permitting. Access is free during regular operating hours, though special events can require tickets or use different access arrangements. Unsafe inclement weather can close the park. Check the official site before you go.
At the Poughkeepsie entrance, New York State Parks operates the main paved lot at 61 Parker Avenue. It accepts the Empire Pass, and daily-fee parking is payable at the west-end pay station.
Free parking is available near the entrance at Pulaski Park, 162 Washington Street, about 0.2 mile from the Washington Street Stairs, and along Brookside Avenue between Washington Street and Garden Street.
In Highland, the Town of Lloyd charges for general parking in lots and marked spaces along Haviland Road, including the Rail Trail Caboose Lot and lower gravel lot.
Follow the posted payment signs. Accessible parking is available in the Highland Rail Trail Caboose Lot and the Poughkeepsie New York State Parks lot; handicap spaces in the Highland lot are free.
The Highland and Poughkeepsie approaches, as well as the elevator entrance at Upper Landing Park, are ADA-compliant. The bridge route is flat and paved, but its expansion joints are not ADA-compliant. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at pavilions near both gates; ask a Walkway Ambassador or Parks staff member for assistance.
The glass-enclosed elevator at Upper Landing Park is ADA-compliant and rises 21 stories. Its operation is seasonal and can be affected by maintenance, high winds, or inclement weather; a separate elevator-status hotline is available at 845-834-3641.
The Walkway’s electric, wheelchair-accessible tram is also seasonal, usually operating from early April through late November. It is free, runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and may pause in poor weather; reservations are not required.
Making the Trip from Newburgh
The Walkway makes a Hudson Valley day trip from Newburgh, and a guide to Newburgh and New Windsor can help you plan the rest of your time in the area.
If you are arriving by train, Poughkeepsie station is served by Amtrak and Metro-North; the Washington Street Stairs entrance is 0.7 mile from the station. If you are driving, choose the Poughkeepsie or Highland entrance before setting out, since parking arrangements differ by side.
The three-star Crossroads - hotel in Newburgh is in the same city as your starting point for the trip.
Railing signs link to a mobile audio tour in English, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. A GPS-based guided audio tour is also available through the TravelStorys app, so you can use either option as you walk.
FAQs
How long is Walkway Over the Hudson?
The bridge is 1.28 miles long and stands 212 feet above the Hudson River.
Is Walkway Over the Hudson free?
Access is free during regular operating hours. Special events may require tickets or have different access arrangements.
Can you take a train to the Walkway?
Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad serve Poughkeepsie station. The Washington Street Stairs entrance is 0.7 mile from the station.
Are pets allowed on the Walkway?
Leashed, well-behaved pets are allowed. The park is non-smoking.