Sojourner Truth Park
A tranquil oasis along the Wallkill River, offering peaceful nature, kayak access, and direct connection to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Ideal for kayaking and nature
Sojourner Truth Park
Best Time
Ideal for kayaking and nature
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A tranquil oasis along the Wallkill River, offering peaceful nature, kayak access, and direct connection to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
"This beautiful small park makes the area so special."
🎯 Look for the small lot
The park can be hard to find; look for a small dirt parking lot.
🛶 Bring your kayak!
Excellent boat launch for non-motorized vessels. Kayak rentals available in summer.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 140 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Access
Directly accessible from the park
Stroll or cycle along this scenic trail, perfect for nature lovers and active explorers.
Peaceful Riverfront Views
Along the Wallkill River
Enjoy serene moments by the water, ideal for quiet contemplation or spotting local wildlife.
Kayak Launch Point
Along the Wallkill River
A well-laid-out gravel ramp for non-motorized boats, perfect for a summer paddle.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Finding Sojourner Truth Park
Best Use of the Park
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Now open: The newest state park in New York, The Sojourner Truth State Park in Kingston.
I did a lot of the site documentation (photography and videography) when Scenic Hudson first bought the park in 2019, the entire property has some incredible features! Can’t wait to get back up there now that it’s completely open!
🎯 Look for the small lot
The park can be hard to find; look for a small dirt parking lot.
🛶 Bring your kayak!
Excellent boat launch for non-motorized vessels. Kayak rentals available in summer. +1
New Paltz vs Beacon vs Poughkeepsie
travelling solo to the Hudson Valley area for 2 nights, I feel like it might be redundant to visit all 3 of these places? Just looking for a place to explore a nice downtown, and maybe kayak/hike to. Which place out of the 3 would be most worthwhile?
Best places to paddle board and kayak??
Hi community! Just recently got into paddle boarding and was looking for some locations in the lower Hudson Valley. Creeks and lakes, preferably in Dutchess, Orange, or Ulster but anything within an hour or two drive is appreciated! Thank you
🚶♀️ Explore the Rail Trail
Connects directly to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail for walking and biking.
🧺 Pack a picnic
Picnic tables are available; bring your own food to enjoy by the river.
Hello, I will be visiting New Paltz by bus this Saturday, what things do you recommend?
I'll be visiting by bus and will be stopping at Trailways Bus Term -139 main st. I was on this sub and plenty of people have recommended this beautiful town. I don't plan on hiking or drinking but want to explore this beautiful town and its parks. What do you recommend in this…
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Look for the small lot
The park can be hard to find; look for a small dirt parking lot.
🛶 Bring your kayak!
Excellent boat launch for non-motorized vessels. Kayak rentals available in summer. +1
🚶♀️ Explore the Rail Trail
Connects directly to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail for walking and biking.
🧺 Pack a picnic
Picnic tables are available; bring your own food to enjoy by the river.
☀️ Summer porta potty
A porta potty is available during the summer months.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sojourner Truth Park is cherished for its peaceful, serene atmosphere and beautiful natural setting along the Wallkill River and Rail Trail. Visitors appreciate the easy access for kayaking and the tranquil environment for walks and reflection. Some note that signage can be an issue, making it slightly hard to find.
"Small, simple park in a beautiful setting. Very peaceful and serene. Interesting history. Unfortunately the signposts decayed and the sign fell down. Hopefully they will get this fixed soon. It’s kind of hard to find without the sign. Just park in the little parking lot and you’re there."
Indy Jo
"Along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is this beautiful small park. It has a dirt parking lot for over a dozen cars. There is a dirt boat ramp for non-gas boats. It would be a great place to kayak from. We met a friend there on a cold February day to walk the Rail Trail. It’s only .4 miles from 299. The park has picnic tables and in season it has a porta potty. It’s one of those small parks that makes the area so special. Next time I want to park there and walk south on the rail trail and hope to kayak from there in the summer."
Bill Lozano
"This place it’s new building 3 years ago, they still work, for now you can used bike, walking 🚶♂️, enjoying the river , fishing , the pavilion u can used only for relaxing and bring your own food."
Carmen Aguilar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Sojourner Truth Park is located along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. It has a small dirt parking lot. If you're arriving by bus, you'll likely be near Main Street in New Paltz and can access the Rail Trail from there to reach the park.
It can be a bit challenging to locate as signposts have sometimes decayed. Look for a small dirt parking lot.
While there isn't direct public transport to the park itself, you can take a bus to New Paltz and then access the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, which leads to the park.
There is a dirt parking lot that can accommodate over a dozen cars.
Yes, the park is directly accessible from the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, making it very bike-friendly.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Sojourner Truth Park is a public park and does not have an entrance fee.
As a public park, it is generally accessible during daylight hours. Specific hours are not usually posted.
No advance booking is required for general park access. If you plan to use the kayak launch, no booking is needed, but rentals are first-come, first-served.
Motorized boats are not permitted on the river from the launch.
The park offers picnic tables, a boat launch, and a porta potty during the summer months. +1
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy peaceful walks, bike rides on the Rail Trail, kayaking, fishing, and relaxing by the river. +2
Many visitors report seeing wildlife, including hawks, making it a pleasant spot for nature observation.
Yes, fishing is permitted at Sojourner Truth Park.
The park is named after Sojourner Truth, a prominent abolitionist and women's rights activist, though specific historical markers within the park may be in disrepair.
Absolutely, visitors describe it as very peaceful, serene, and a fantastic area to get some nature in.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities within the park itself. You'll need to bring your own food or dine in nearby New Paltz.
Yes, there are picnic tables available, and visitors often bring their own food to enjoy.
The nearest dining options are in the town of New Paltz, which is a short distance away and accessible via the Rail Trail or a short drive.
There are no shops within the park. It's best to purchase any snacks or drinks before arriving.
There is no mention of grilling facilities; it's recommended to stick to picnics.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture serene river views, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, and any wildlife you might spot, like hawks.
The park offers lovely natural landscapes with the river and trail, making it a good spot for landscape shots.
Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer light for photography, especially along the river.
While the park is named after a significant historical figure, some signposts have decayed, so historical photo opportunities might be limited.
As a public space, photography is generally permitted, but always be mindful of others' privacy.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit