JOPPENBERGH MTN

When on the trails, please remember to:

  • maintain a physical distance from others,
  • and wear a mask or face covering when you cannot maintain physical distancing.

Please follow NY State Parks guidance around use of outdoor space in controlling the spread of the virus.

Joppenbergh Mountain is a nearly 500-foot tall mountain in Rosendale. The mountain is composed of a carbonate bedrock overlain by glacially deposited material. Trails lead to the top of the mountain from Willow Kiln park behind Rosendale’s Main Street, with views across the valley from the summit.

 JOPPENBERGH TRAIL MAP

Joppenbergh Interactive Map

 

 

DIRECTIONS TO JOPPENBERGH

From the South:

  • Take I-87 to Exit 18 at New Paltz, NY.
  • Make a Left at light onto State Route 299/Main Street, New Paltz.
  • Turn Right at first light onto North Putt Corners Road.
  • Travel 1.4 miles and make a left onto Shivertown Road.
  • Take Shivertown down the hill and make a Right at the light onto State Route 32 North.
  • After 5.9 miles, go over the blue bridge, and make a Left onto Main Street, Rosendale (Rte 213 West).
  • Travel along Main Street, pass the Rosendale Theatre and turn Right onto Hardenbeugh Lane to the Rosendale Municipal Parking Lot.
  • Park at the Back of the Parking Lot near Willow Kiln Park.
  • Trails Begin to the right of Willow Kiln Park.

From the North:

  • Take I-87 to Exit 19 at Kingston, NY.
  • At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto Washington Avenue.
  • After less than a mile, turn Right onto Lucas Ave.
  • After 4.5 miles, make a slight Left onto Binnewater Road (County Road 7)
  • Stay on Binnewater Road for another 3 miles.
  • Make a Left onto Rosendale Main Street (State Route 213).
  • Travel through Main Street (look up for the Rosendale Trestle!)
  • Make a Left onto Hardenbugh Lane towards the Rosendale Municipal Parking Lot.
  • Park at the Back of the Parking Lot near Willow Kiln Park.
  • Trails Begin to the right of Willow Kiln Park.

From the West:

  •  Take State Route 213 East towards Rosendale, NY.
  • Travel through Main Street (look up for the Rosendale Trestle!)
  • Make a Left onto Hardenbugh Lane towards the Rosendale Municipal Parking Lot.
  • Park at the Back of the Parking Lot near Willow Kiln Park.
  • Trails Begin to the right of Willow Kiln Park.

USE

  • Joppenbergh Mountain is open daily from dawn until dusk for use by the public.
  • Joppenbergh Mountain use is free of charge.
  • Joppenbergh Mountain is a Carry-in Carry-out park. Please take your trash with you.
  • Joppenbergh Mountain Trails are open for walking, hiking, running, snowshoeing, bicycle riding (but not on steep trails or trails to the summit), and cross-country skiing.
  • Dogs are allowed but must be leashed in accordance with Rosendale’s leash law.
  • Organized group activities – classes, field trips, games or races, acoustic music (consistent with town noise ordinances) and other performances, or other requested uses will be reviewed and may be approved on case by case basis by WVLT (this applies for organized group activities on Joppenbergh Mountain, this does not apply to Willow Kiln Park, which is leased to the Town of Rosendale).
  • Horseback riding on trails is currently by special permission only but is under consideration for future use.
  • Bow Hunting Policy on Joppenbergh Mountain

Other uses will only be allowed by specific permission of WVLT. 

  • NO SWIMMING – Swimming is NOT permitted anywhere on Joppenbergh Mountain.
  • NO ROCK CLIMBING, BOULDERING/ ROCK SCRAMBLING – the rock on Joppenbergh Mountain are unstable and are not safe for these activities at any time.
  • NO CAVING – Old mine entrances and passageways are unstable and unsafe for caving, entering these is prohibited.
  • NO CAMPING – Overnight use and camping are not permitted. Joppenbergh Mountain is open dawn to dusk and visitors must remain on the trails.
  • NO CAMPFIRES, COOKING FIRES BBQs, OR STOVES OF ANY KIND are permitted on the property.
  • NO FISHING, TRAPPING, OR ANY OTHER HUNTING ACTIVITY– unless specifically permitted by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, Inc.
  • NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES PERMITTED – with the exception of access for maintenance by WVLT or priority approved WVLT partners/ volunteers, or for emergency services.

Please stay on the trails. Joppenbergh Mountain is known for ticks. Please check yourself carefully after visiting!

If there is an emergency, call the Town of Rosendale Police at (845)658-9000 or 911.

HISTORY

Mined in the late 19th century of limestone as a part of the then-booming Rosendale cement industry, it also was the site of several long-distance ski-jumping competitions in the mid-20th century. At over 500 feet, and supporting the northern end of the Rosendale Trestle, it dominates the natural landscape of the Town of Rosendale. Since 1971, the majority of Joppenbergh Mountain has been uncultivated, privately owned open space, resulting in the re-growth of important habitats.

2011: The Open Space Institute (OSI) purchased the property from the Joppenbergh Mountain Corporation in July of 2011 with the WVLT and the Shawangunk Conservancy.

Today: The WVLT owns and manages the property. Parking to access the trails up the mountain is at Willow Kiln Park.

 

 

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Ulster County by conserving lands of scenic, agricultural, ecological, recreational, and cultural significance.

Support Our Work