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Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 22+ mile rail trail and linear park that winds along the former Wallkill Valley Railroad rail corridor in Ulster County, New York. It goes through the towns of Gardiner, New Paltz, Rosendale, and Ulster to the Kingston city line. Activities include walking, jogging, bike riding, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The trail surface is an unpaved stone surface and opens from dawn to dusk year-round.
Help us keep the trail open and safe. Contact us if you see something that needs to be addressed on the trail. Have you observed a tree down or a damaged spot on our trail? Please click the report link to help us best address the situation.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
There is multiple access points for the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. You can access the trail from Gardiner, Sojourner Park in New Paltz, Binnewater Rd in Rosendale, and Rockwell Lane in Kingston.
Kingston/ Rockwell Lane Parking
To reach parking at the northern terminus from I-87, take Exit 18, and turn left to merge onto NY 299 W. In 1.0 mile, turn right onto New Paltz Bypass/N. Putt Corners Road. In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Shivertown Road, and go 1.1 miles; then turn right onto NY 32 N, and go 11.2 miles. Turn left off the highway onto Rockwell Terr., and go 0.1 miles to Rockwell Lane. Continue straight into a new gravel parking lot. Head to the far end of the parking lot and turn left to begin your journey south.
Rosendale/ Rosendale Trestle/Binnewater Pater Parking Lot
From the North:
Take I-87 to Exit 19/Kingston at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Washington Ave. After .8 miles, turn right onto Lucas Ave. After another .8 miles continue onto the Lucas Avenue Extension. After 7 miles, turn left onto Binnewater Rd. After 2.9 miles, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Parking Lot in Rosendale/ Rosendale Trestle/Binnewater Pater Parking Lot will be on your right (after Iron Mountain).
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 Rd. Travel 1.4 miles and make a left onto Shivertown Rd. Take Shivertown Rd. down the hill and make a Right at the blinking light onto SR-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 (look up as you travel under the Rosendale Trestle) then make an immediate right onto Binnewater Rd. About .3 miles up the road, look for the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Parking Lot in Rosendale/ Rosendale Trestle/Binnewater Pater Parking Lot on your left.
New Paltz /Sojourner Truth Parking Lot
Take I-87 to Exit 18/New Paltz. After toll booth, make a left at the light onto SR-299/Main Street. After 1.2 miles, turn left onto South Chestnut St. / SR-208. After .2 miles, turn right onto Mohonk Ave. After another .1 miles, turn left onto Plains Rd. Follow Plains Rd. around the bend and Sojourner Truth Park/ Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Parking Lot will be on your right.
Gardiner
There is no designated parking area at the southern terminus, but trail users can find a parking lot 2.5 miles north in Gardiner. To reach this parking lot from I-87, take Exit 17 and continue straight toward NY 300. Turn left onto NY 300 N., and go 2.7 miles. Continue straight onto NY 32 N, and go 9.2 miles. Turn left onto US 44/Main St. in Gardiner. In 2.5 miles, turn right onto Second St. Parking is found immediately on the left, opposite the trail. From this trailhead, as you face the trail from the parking lot, you may either turn left and head 2.5 miles to the southern terminus or turn right to pick up the trail heading north.
USE
The WVRT is multi-use and open daily, year-round, free of charge from dawn until dusk for use by the public. We welcome walkers, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, dog walkers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers. For your safety and enjoyment, please observe the following rules:
ALL USERS
- No Motorized vehicles at any time,
- Be alert and respectful of other users.
- Use caution at road crossings.
- Always remain on the trail as it passes by private property.
- Stay to the right to allow others to pass.
- Always yield to equestrians.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- Clean up after your animals.
- Carry-in Carry-out park. Please take your trash with you.
CYCLISTS
- Ride at moderate speed (15 mile max)
- Alert other users when approaching from behind.
EQUESTRIANS
- Ride at moderate speed appropriate for multi-use trail.
- Alert other users when planning to pass them and pass on the left.
HISTORY
The railroad ceased regular traffic in 1977, and by 1983 had begun to remove its tracks. In 1991, the WVLT purchased the 12-mile (19 km) section of the former rail corridor between New Paltz and Gardiner and conveyed the New Paltz sections to the Town and Village of New Paltz while retaining the conservation easements. The trail was formally opened between New Paltz and Gardiner in 1993. The Gardiner section was transferred to the Town with conservation easements in 2007.
In 2009, the northern section was purchased, extending the linear park an additional 11.5 miles north from Rosendale through Ulster to Kingston. This extension included the Rosendale trestle, a 940-foot (290 m) bridge across the Rondout Creek.
Today the 22+ mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail traverses the heart of the towns of Gardiner, New Paltz, and Rosendale, with parking, food, and shopping access at many locations. Support our sponsors that help make this trail accessible for all.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Ulster County by conserving lands of scenic, agricultural, ecological, recreational, and cultural significance.