Poets' Walk Park
A serene park offering stunning Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views via accessible trails, perfect for sunset and photography.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Vibrant foliage, perfect weather
Poets' Walk Park
Best Time
Vibrant foliage, perfect weather
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene park offering stunning Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views via accessible trails, perfect for sunset and photography.
"A beautiful and easy stroll with clear views of the Hudson River and Kingston/Rhinecliff bridge."
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hudson River & Catskill Mountain Views
Lookout Point & Parker's Place
Breathtaking panoramic vistas of the majestic Hudson River and the distant Catskill Mountains await.
Cider Tree Gazebo
Near Lookout Point
A charming gazebo offering a perfect spot to rest and soak in the scenic beauty, especially during sunset.
The Accessible Trail
Main Path
An easy, well-maintained path ideal for all visitors, including those with strollers or wheelchairs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Trail Accessibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
🐶 Leashed Pups Welcome
Enjoy the scenic walks with your furry friends on a 6-foot leash. +1
🗺️ Grab a Trail Map
A map is available at the parking lot bulletin board for navigation.
Tips
from all over the internet
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
🐶 Leashed Pups Welcome
Enjoy the scenic walks with your furry friends on a 6-foot leash. +1
🗺️ Grab a Trail Map
A map is available at the parking lot bulletin board for navigation.
🚗 Parking Available
A dedicated parking lot with a portable potty is on-site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Poets' Walk Park for its stunning, accessible trails and breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. The park is well-maintained, offering a peaceful escape, though some lower trails can be challenging. It's a popular spot for photography and enjoying sunsets, with ample parking and dog-friendly policies.
"Very enjoyable walk that took us round trip 1 hour. We walked briskly to return to the car before dusk. If we walked leisurely the whole way, resting at every stop, it might have taken up to 1.5 hours round trip. We visited very stop on the trail briefly and appreciated the sunset view. There is one section that goes a little steep downwards but other than that, it’s a fairly easy walk. It’s stroller friendly for the first part of the walk that is on a clear path. Midway, you will walk on a grassy area. Added that, there will be many steps with cool roots throughout creating natural steps.
There benches throughout the walk for short stops. We saw families, couples, dog owners walk the trail.
Parking: There is a parking lot with a portable potty."
Mir
"Cute little park my wife and I went to as a pit stop heading up north. Nice easy walk. Well taken care of. Glad we picked this spot =]"
Lucas Litwin
"I’ve been to Poet’s Walk a few times but this was my first time walking all of the paths. My wife and I walked three miles with some back tracking. It’s about a two mile walk doing the larger loop. This is one of the many great Scenic Hudson parks. The parking lot gets busy and I’m sure on many weekends it’s full but people come and go often. The main paths are in great shape and easy to walk on. Wheelchairs would work on this path.
It’s a short walk to the “Lookout” and you have an amazing view of the Catskills and Hudson River. Benches are all the way around the cider tree gazebo. Beyond the Lookout there is an intersection that allows you to walk down to Parkers Place on two different trails. One is still an easy walking path and the other is a hiking trail with rocks, roots and stairs that's not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers but both end up at Parker's Place. The map of the park shows the Accessible Trail which goes to the Lookout (0.66 miles).
Parker’s Place has a gazebo and great views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. We were lucky to be there without anyone else to sit and enjoy the view.
The park closes and the gate is locked at different times throughout the year. The park closes at 6:00 PM in the winter, 7:30 for Spring and Fall and 8:30 in the summer so you can watch the sunset before the gate is locked. The park is dog friendly with 6’ leashes."
Bill
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Poets' Walk Park is located in Red Hook, NY. While some TikToks mention taking the ferry to Red Hook for other attractions, Poets' Walk Park is best accessed by car. There is a dedicated parking lot available on-site. +1
Yes, the park has a designated parking lot, making it relatively easy to locate. It's a popular spot, especially on weekends, so arriving earlier can be beneficial.
There is a parking lot available at the park entrance. It can get busy, but visitors note that people come and go frequently.
Public transport options to Red Hook can be time-consuming, often involving a train and then a bus. Driving is generally the most convenient way to reach Poets' Walk Park.
Absolutely! It's a perfect pit stop or a destination for a relaxing day trip, especially when combined with other attractions in the Red Hook area. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Poets' Walk Park is a public park and does not require an entrance fee or tickets. It's a free-to-access Scenic Hudson park.
The park closes at dusk, with specific gate locking times varying by season: 6:00 PM in winter, 7:30 PM in spring and fall, and 8:30 PM in summer.
Yes, Poets' Walk Park is open year-round, though the closing times change seasonally to accommodate sunset viewing.
The main restriction is the park's closing time at dusk. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a 6-foot leash.
No, the park gates are locked at dusk, so visiting after dark is not possible. Plan your visit to enjoy the daylight and sunset.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
The main path is wide, flat, and well-maintained, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. It winds through meadows with seasonal views of the river. Lower trails are more rugged with roots and stairs.
A brisk round trip can take about an hour. A leisurely walk, stopping at viewpoints, might take 1.5 hours. The larger loop is about two miles.
Yes, there are benches throughout the walk for short breaks, and a gazebo at Parker's Place offers a great spot to sit and enjoy the views.
You'll enjoy stunning views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. The 'Lookout' offers a particularly impressive panorama.
Absolutely! The scenic views, especially during fall foliage or sunset, make it a fantastic spot for photography.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities within Poets' Walk Park itself. However, the nearby town of Red Hook offers various dining options, from casual eateries to barbecue joints. +1
While there are no designated picnic areas, you can bring your own food and enjoy it at one of the benches or the gazebo, provided you clean up after yourself.
Red Hook has several popular spots. Hometown Barbecue is frequently mentioned, as are local coffee shops like Red Hook Coffee Shop. +1
Parker's Place within the park offers great river views, but it's a scenic spot rather than a restaurant. For dining with views, you might need to explore options in nearby towns like Kingston.
Red Hook offers a diverse culinary scene, including cafes, barbecue, and other local favorites, making it a great place to grab a bite before or after your park visit. +1
📸 📸 Photography
The 'Lookout' point offers expansive views of the Hudson River and Catskills. The Cider Tree Gazebo and the scenic trails themselves are also picturesque.
Late afternoon for golden hour and sunset is highly recommended for stunning light. Fall foliage also provides a vibrant backdrop.
Capturing the panoramic river and mountain views, the charming gazebo, and the interplay of light through the trees are popular photo subjects.
The main accessible trail is ideal for photographers with strollers or wheelchairs, offering smooth paths and great vantage points without difficult terrain.
It's excellent for landscape photography, nature shots, and even portrait sessions, especially during the fall or sunset.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the park doesn't have playgrounds, the natural beauty and the opportunity to spot local flora and fauna can be engaging for kids. The views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains offer a sense of wonder. Remember to bring snacks and drinks, as there are no concessions within the park.
🐶 Dog Owners
Just remember to keep your dog on a 6-foot leash at all times, as specified by park regulations.
🚶♀️ Accessible Travelers
While some of the park's more adventurous lower trails are rugged and not suitable for wheelchairs, the primary accessible trail ensures that the core beauty and vistas of Poets' Walk are available to everyone. The presence of benches along this path also provides ample opportunities for rest.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Trails of Poets' Walk Park
For those seeking a bit more adventure, lower trails branch off from the main path. These routes are more challenging, featuring natural obstacles like thick tree roots and steep sections with stairs. While not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs, they offer a more immersive hiking experience through wooded areas and lead to different viewpoints, including Parker's Place. A map near the parking lot details these different routes.
Visitors often spend between one to two hours exploring the park, depending on their pace and how many stops they make. The park is dog-friendly, with leashes required, making it a great spot for pet owners to enjoy the outdoors.
Capturing the Scenery: Photography at Poets' Walk
The park's key viewpoints, such as the Lookout Point and Parker's Place, offer expansive vistas that are perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes. The Cider Tree Gazebo provides a charming focal point for both landscape and portrait photography. Even the main accessible trail, with its tree-lined meadows, offers picturesque scenes.
While the main paths are easy to navigate with camera gear, be mindful of the more rugged lower trails if you're carrying a lot of equipment. The park's natural beauty, combined with its accessible features, makes it a versatile location for capturing stunning images, from grand landscapes to intimate nature shots.
A Glimpse into Red Hook's Charm
Getting to Red Hook often involves taking the ferry, which provides scenic views of the city, a more enjoyable experience than the train according to some.
Poets' Walk Park, though located in the Hudson Valley, shares a similar vibe of being a local's secret spot with some of the Red Hook attractions. This connection suggests that exploring both the natural beauty of the park and the local charm of Red Hook can create a well-rounded and memorable experience.
Social
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