In the small town of Saugerties, there is a sandy trail that leads out to a secluded beach on the Hudson River. This beach sits below an old lighthouse that has been standing on that point since 1869. The lighthouse is private, only accessible to the B&B guests, but the patio and beach are open to the public! This place feels like you have stepped into an island paradise! Once you have passed the entrance to the hiking trail it's as if you are magically transported out of the Hudson Valley.
The trail out to the beach is very family friendly and only about a 20 minute hike depending on how many times you stop to admire the views. You will need to check the
tide table, because the beach is not accessible during high tide. If you have any questions or concerns about this feel free to contact the lighthouse directly. Because of the tide going in and out the trail is full of fun boardwalks and bridges that lead through marsh lands. It feels like a reed jungle and makes for very interesting plant life to explore!
Once you have hiked for about 20 minutes the reeds will give way to the most amazing, secluded beach and beautiful, old brick lighthouse. There is no lifeguard so swimming is at your own risk, but at low tide it is very shallow and you can walk out for a long way before it gets deep. It is the perfect escape on a hot summer day!
Our family loves to pack a lunch and spend the whole day at this secluded paradise. The lighthouse allows visitors to use their beautiful patio; shaded by a mulberry tree and overlooking the Hudson River, every table has an amazing view. This is the best spot to eat lunch or have a snack. Also, feel free to take advantage of the many benches or alcoves on the wrap around patio. They are the perfect place to read a book, breath in lavender perfumed air and relax as sailboats drift by.
The beach has all of the usual swimming, sandcastles and sun bathing but because it's the Hudson River you can also collect shells and other interesting finds that are washed up from the tide. We love to bring buckets and scour the long coast exploring the plant life, water critters, collecting shells and pretty rocks or sea glass. Who knew the Hudson River could feel like a day at the ocean!
Tips for this hike:
- There is a small parking area with plenty of free parking.
- There are porta potties outside the lighthouse for public use.
- The patio and beach are open to the public, please be respectful of the B&B guests and do not try and enter the lighthouse. They do have public viewing hours on Sundays during the Summer months, more information here.
- The beach is only open during daylight hours, please plan accordingly.
- Carry-in & carry-out, do not leave trash or food behind. Pick up after all pets.
- The trail is not stroller friendly.
- There is NO lifeguard, all swimming is at your own risk.
- The trail and beach have "devil pods" so I suggest wearing water shoes at all times while on the beach and swimming.
For more information visit Saugerties Lighthouse.
Follow me on Facebook!
Other articles by Katie's Hudson Valley Travel Journal