Usually outdoor/nature spaces are slam dunk 5 stars, but I'm taking one star because parking is…read moreconfusing. There's a driveway that isn't for the park, then a small sign that says "parking second entrance," and the second entrance (I think?) is a walking path more than an entrance - since the "actual" parking area is dirt/stone. We drove the length of the walking path without encountering another car or person (thankfully!!!), but it's very narrow and winding. There IS a blue&yellow historical marker at the entrance to the parking area. Anyway.... The park itself is very small, but beautifully maintained, with plantings for every season, and LOTS of benches and places to sit, and truly stunning mountain views. There are also several fountains - I don't know if they're functional, because we went in early spring and it's not really fountain season quite yet, but if they are....how peaceful and lovely it must be when they're all running!! Can't wait to go back in summer to see it in full bloom, and fall for the Mum Festival - there were still lights in the huge evergreen, also! So they do that much for winter, if not more!

The park entrance came up quick and looked like a dead end by to our delight we found a hidden gem…read more Continue to the back that offered multiple picnic table, swings for the kids and just a nice little area to get off he road for awhile.

Great visit to Kaaterskill Falls on Wednesday, October 7, 2026…read more Decided to visit mid-week to avoid the crowds as it approached peak fall colors...I think October 7th was a bit too early...another week or so would have been better for colors. I have read that the Main Trailhead Lot (Laurel House Road), closest to the waterfall trails, fills up quickly during the fall. I arrived there at 8:30am and was the 9th car in the 40-50-capacity parking lot. When I left at 11:30am, the lot was full and staff was routing visiting from the main road (North Lake Road) to the Scutt Road parking lot...which is a bit further away from the falls. Once parked, the fall viewing platform was a short 0.1 mile walk. It offers some lovely views of the falls from higher up. From there, the walk to the lower falls was about 0.5 miles, but be advised that there are lots of steps (over 300) to get from the top of the falls to the bottom of the falls. You can walk even further from the base of the falls, along Spruce Creek, toward Route 23A and you will get to Bastion Falls. Since I arrived earlier, there were too many people on the trails...which made picture-taking a lot easier. I suspect the crowds increase as the area approached peak fall colors and on the weekends...so plan accordingly. The falls were great...I actually preferred the lower falls viewing area, for its consistent lighting and heavier waterfall flow. The upper was very high but the flow wasn't as heavy. The park is well-maintained with efficient trail marking and directional signage throughout. Free to park and enter the park/waterfall area. Port a potties in parking lot...are as clean as you can expect from a popular public parking port a potty.

Be prepared, the trail down to the falls is very long and while its quite easy going down ,getting…read moreback up is a definitely a treck. It's so worth it though. If however you decide not to go down to the bottom, there is a viewing platform . The waterfall pressure/flow can vary depending on when you visit. Heavy after rain or less during the summer months. Swimming is allowed in the basin , the water is cold . The fall and parking are free in designated parking lots. There was a porta potty in tje lot we parked in. Not sure if there's one in each parking lot though. Don't park anywhere along the roads as you will get ticketed and/or towed. Arrive early aa the parking lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Personally I wouldn't do this trail on a rainy day especially if you're a beginner. Lots of stepping stones that can be slippery when wet. Other than that it's one of the most beautiful trails I've been on.

Tours are held on Sundays! If you have a group of 6 or more, they'll open the lighthouse for a…read moreprivate tour, but you'll need to make a reservation ahead of time. It's a short and easy hike to the lighthouse, and the walk there is beautiful, especially with the river nearby. Once you reach the lighthouse, it's absolutely amazing! Learning about its history made the experience even more enjoyable and gave the visit so much more meaning. Make sure to take plenty of photos because there are so many beautiful views and photo opportunities along the way! There's also a small area where you can enjoy a nice lunch or have a picnic with friends or family. Overall, it's a beautiful spot with a great mix of nature, history, and peaceful scenery!

My boyfriend and I were in Kaaterskill Falls for our annual hike at the Rail Trail, when we…read morediscovered Saugerties Lighthouse. I don't even know how to be honest. But we like to drive around getting lost a lot, which is how we discover most places. The entrance is a little hidden, small parking lot. The trail is full of greenery. There is a mixture of bridges and dirt paths. Also we noticed little figurines hidden along the way. They are very cute! The views on the way to the lighthouse were as stunning as of the lighthouse alone. At some point you have to walk over the water - so it is wise to look at the tide schedule so you don't get wet or trapped. The lighthouse is dipped in history that you can read on their website (saugertieslighthouse.com). It is truly an incredible little place. I read there are tour and you can even stay there overnight! We definitely want to do either one or both in the near future. It was definitely an amazing find, which we will incorporate into our annual visits. Breathtaking location. The volunteers are doing a great job maintaining it. Definitely made for a memorable visit.

This is an extremely good walk/hike. "Easy" in terms of difficulty, this trail starts off on an…read moreeasy 1/4-mile walk down a meandering crushed-gravel path to a wooden gazebo, then down some grassy hills to the Hudson River "lookout" point. From there, you can venture into the woods for a 3/4 to a mile "easy hike" surrounded by trees, trickling stream & a few furry animals, like squirrels & chipmunks, collecting acorns. Kid friendly, this is a great walk/hike for the whole family.

Dreamy any walk you choose to start on during any season. Beginner's level. Nice view of the Hudson.read more

Hiking is definitely a love-hate relationship! This mountain goes UP--and I mean all the way up…read more There are barely any flat or straight sections, so you're constantly climbing, weaving around corners, and then going back down just to do it all over again. I had to take frequent breaks to catch my breath because the climb was no joke. And honestly, the tower was probably the scariest part for me. The views from the top were absolutely beautiful, but I had to go up quickly and come back down just as fast because my fear was kicking in! Before tackling the mountain, we also walked a different trail, which was already exhausting. So by the time we started the climb, my legs were definitely feeling it. But once you finally reach the ruins and the tower, it all feels worth it. The scenery and views are honestly incredible, and it's such a beautiful place to see. Just be prepared: before you reach the top, you may question every life decision that brought you there!

Love hiking here! If…read moreyou're in this part of the Catskills, I highly recommend this trail. It's easily accessible and an easier hike to do. The trail is well-groomed and very walkable. There aren't any scrambles or large boulders, which is good.. The view from the top is pretty epic, and the fire tower which has been closed every time I've hiked the mountain has great views too. I would highly recommend this hike.

It's a nice park and historical site. They have several…read morepermanent BBQ grills picnic tables, water fountain. A group of us went for the fireworks, that were supposed to be from Saugerties, NY. We arrived midday; to see the re-enactments and enjoy the great weather. There was an ice cream truck and a food truck. They Always had a line. By the time dusk was approaching the crowds started to fill the great lawns facing the Hudson and the city of Saugerties. By 9:15 pm there were a few sporadic flares from the West Bank of the Hudson. By almost 10 pm it was pretty obvious there would not be a fireworks display that night. We've seen plenty of fireworks displays, so for us was NBD. Felt kind of bad for the young families whose kids were probably disappointed.

The word that came to mind most often, as I was strolling around the grounds, was "unspoiled."…read moreThey're probably a bit less fancy, more basic, than other mansion grounds, but they're very well maintained, with enough signs to be informative. The gardens were nice and also well maintained, but not fancy - some signs as to the varieties of flowers and plants would be nice. There's several places to the south of the house offering scenic views of the Hudson River, and the Catskills beyond that. Mansion tours were going on while I was there. A sign at the entrance says that paid parking for 2020 began on 6/6, where you pay the fee of $5 at one of the machines at either end of the parking lot. Unfortunately, it's not $5, it's $6 now. Rest rooms are available behind the parking lot, and there's a fairly large area behind it and to the south for sitting, picnics, and light recreation (e.g., folks were throwing frisbees). Dogs are permitted on a leash. Even on a nice day on a weekend, there's plenty of space for everyone. Though I imagine this is a very popular site to visit during fall foliage season.

This park is worth a visit. There's a great view of the Hudson River and the valley. And there's a…read morenice playground for the kiddies. In the center of the top level you'll find a female statue who looks as if she's watching over the town's residents. Parking's plentiful in the adjacent lot so come check this park out!

The city of Hudson must make tons of money off expired parking meters. From out of town so expired…read moremeter is quite possible especially when man in pouring rain gives tickets to just expired meters and to small businesses right in front of their stores. Ticket was $8 plus $3.50 fee to pay online or phone. There are NO public parking lots. Great way to treat tourists who spend lots of $$$ in that town. Just beware when parking at meters--WHICH ARE EVERYWHERE!!

Falling waters is a good, easy going trail for novices and walkers. Located off 9W, it's pretty…read moreeasy to get to. As the name would suggest, there's a few small waterfalls along both ends of the trail which are pretty and good for kids. Rainfall has been be decent for them to really be going, and even at their heaviest they're not too crazy (this is not Kaaterskill). It's also right on the Hudson River, so you get good views too. If you want just a quick walk or you have a stroller, the way down to the water is the way to go (yes, you still get the obligatory waterfall). If you take the longer path, you get the bigger waterfall, sweeping views of the Hudson, and also steep up/down hills along the water. Either way this should take terribly long and isn't far from civilization, so it's a good option for families.

Beautiful peaceful place to hike. I love the scenery, it's history. Convenient location.read more