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Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
CLOSURES
The northern 9.5-mile stretch of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail beginning at Cragswood Road in the Town of New Paltz and ending at Rockwell Lane/Route 32 in the Town of Ulster is under construction August through October 2020.
WVLT greatly appreciates everyone’s patience and understanding as this improvement project for the Rosendale and Ulster sections of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail continues.
Initial clearing work to this point has allowed for only temporary closures on sections of Rail Trail, but as the major construction proceeds, we cannot impede progress nor put you, our users of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, at risk or in un-safe situations.
Therefore, please note that the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail from Cragswood Road in the Town of New Paltz to Rockwell Lane/Route 32 in the Town of Ulster will be under construction and closed to the public beginning again on Tuesday September 8 through the end of October on weekdays.
All efforts will be made to open all sections of the Rail Trail each weekend for users. Should a section of Rail Trail need to remain closed during a weekend, WVLT will post detailed information here and on our social media pages as they occur.
During the weekly closures, if a section is safe for use, it will be open. If signs are blocking the Rail Trail, that section is closed. Please respect the construction improvement work and come back and visit at another time.
The Wallkill Valley Land Trust and our partners at the Open Space Institute know you want to be on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and we look forward to using it with you later this fall!
A July 2020 press release on this improvement project can be found by clicking the button below.
CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS RELEASE
At this time, WVLT’s recreation lands and trails remain open for the public to enjoy. 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.
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.
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.