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Recreation destinations with access for people with disabilities



18 Hudson Valley parklands recommended by the DEC

parks, Hudson Valley, people with disabilities

New York campgrounds, educational centers and other facilities offer many recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, including camping, picnicking, fishing and nature viewing. DEC's regional offices and education centers have been renovated to facilitate wheelchair travel from parking lots into buildings (when available). Parking lots and walkways are paved, and ramps and wider doorways help accommodate wheelchair traffic. In addition, DEC has remodeled restrooms for use by people with disabilities. Toilets, sinks, mirrors, water fountains, towel and soap dispensers, and grab bars are installed at wheelchair level.

HVParent created a list of the great parks in the mid-Hudson Valley including Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Sullivan and Orange Counties.

For a complete list of all the accessible sites in New York State click link here.


Dutchess County

Stony Kill Farm & Environmental Education Center
Rte. 9D, 2 miles north of Interstate 84
(845) 831-8780 or 845-831-3800 and leave a message
Day use, picnic tables, fishing access, rest rooms, trail

At Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, their primary concern is the safety and health of visitors, volunteers and staff.

Check the Stony Kill Foundation website for building and program updates.

The grounds and trails remain open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the public is invited to enjoy being outside. With 8.5 miles of trails and 1,000 acres, they offer the perfect location to practice "social distancing" (6' apart) as we enjoy nature. You can greet other visitors with jazz hands and a smile.

Orange County

Stewart State Forest
Ridge Road parking lot, off Rte. 17
New Windsor
Accessible trail/boardwalk over Great Swamp

The 6,700-acres of Stewart State Forest are unique in the northeast and increasingly rare in the Hudson Valley. A mix of wetlands, fields and forest, the site includes 18 miles of gravel roads and more than 22 miles of major trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, dog training and trials, skiing, snowmobiling, bird watching and fishing.

Be sure to visit the new Great Swamp boardwalk and trail on the island. The new boardwalk connects the east and west sides of the Great Swamp and makes some nice hiking loops possible.

Directions to the new boardwalk: From Ridge Road parking lot: Head south on Maple Ave., after about 1.4 miles, there will be a sign on the right for the Great Swamp walkway. Turn right and continue a half mile to the boardwalk. Horseback riders will find a place to tie up their horses before the entrance to the boardwalk.

You can also reach the west side of the boardwalk via the Schofield Lane Trail, head south on the trail, there will be a spur trail heading off to the left. Total distance is less than three miles. There is a hitching post on the west side of the boardwalk as well.

For information on trails, fishing and hunting. http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/50095.html

Putnam County

White Pond
Off Rte. 42, NW of Lake Carmel
Fishing access

The 263-acre White Pond Multiple Use Area (MUA) includes the 129-acre White Pond. For information about hiking, boating, fishing and hunting: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/34735.html#access

Sullivan County

Basher Kill at Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area
Off NY Rte. 209, 5 miles South of US Rte. 17. Follow Otisville Rd. 0.5 mile east, turn north on South Rd., 0.8 miles. Fishing platform above outlet dam and stream. A duck blind is off Rte. 209 on Haven Rd.

Mongaup Pond Campground
Off US Rte. 17, 3 miles north of DeBruce
(914) 493-4233
Showers, fishing access, rest rooms, pavilion. All facilities may not be available.

Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area Eagle Viewing Blinds
There is accessible parking at two separate blinds for viewing bald eagles. One blind is on Plank Road, south of County Rte. 43 (Forestburgh Rd.) and east of the reservoir. The other is along County Rte. 43, at the reservoir. There is a wooded access path to the Plank Road blind.

Waneta Lake at Willowemoc Wild Forest
Off Sullivan County Route 151/Beaverkill Road, about 3.5 miles north of Livingston Manor. Fishing platform and picnic table at small roadside lake

Ulster County

Alder Lake Picnic Site at Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest
About 3 miles north of Turnwood. Picnic tables overlooking scenic mountain-valley lake

Allaben Campsites at Shandaken Wild Forest
2.8 miles west of Phoenicia on the north side of Route 28. Picnic tables, camping, fishing access

The Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center
5096 Rte. 28 in Mt. Tremper. Nature trail, visitor center, restrooms

Esopus Creek Boat Access
Sandy Rd., Kingston. Hand launch, fishing platform, picnic area, port-a-john

Esopus Creek
 RT 28 Mt. Tremper. Accessible Trails through woods, view of creek

Hudson River at Turkey Point
Off Rte. 32, about 3 miles north of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. Fishing pier on the Hudson River

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area
Wittenberg Road Mt Tremper. Fishing pier, kayak dock, trail through woods to water viewing area, picnic area.

Lower Birch Creek Rd. Picnic Area at Shandaken Wild Forest
Off Rte. 28, near the town of Pine Hill. Picnic site, fishing platform, and a short path encircling the pond

Onteora Lake
Off Rte. 28, about 5 miles west of Kingston. Fishing access, picnic tables

Peekamoose Valley Camping Area at Sundown Wild Forest
Off Ulster County Rte. 42 (Watson Hollow Road. Primitive campsites, trail to stream, picnic tables and privy

Rochester Hollow Leanto at Shandaken Wild Forest
7 miles west of Phoenicia on the north side of Route 28. Gated road, lean-to campsite open to MAPPWD† permit holders




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