Poets' Walk Park
A serene park offering stunning Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views via accessible trails, perfect for sunset and photography.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Vibrant foliage, perfect weather
Poets' Walk Park
Best Time
Vibrant foliage, perfect weather
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene park offering stunning Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views via accessible trails, perfect for sunset and photography.
"A beautiful and easy stroll with clear views of the Hudson River and Kingston/Rhinecliff bridge."
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 602 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hudson River & Catskill Mountain Views
Lookout Point & Parker's Place
Breathtaking panoramic vistas of the majestic Hudson River and the distant Catskill Mountains await.
Cider Tree Gazebo
Near Lookout Point
A charming gazebo offering a perfect spot to rest and soak in the scenic beauty, especially during sunset.
The Accessible Trail
Main Path
An easy, well-maintained path ideal for all visitors, including those with strollers or wheelchairs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Trail Accessibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
🐶 Leashed Pups Welcome
Enjoy the scenic walks with your furry friends on a 6-foot leash. +1
🗺️ Grab a Trail Map
A map is available at the parking lot bulletin board for navigation.
Tips
from all over the internet
🌅 Catch the Sunset
Park gates lock at dusk; check seasonal hours to enjoy sunset views.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Main paths are easy, but lower trails have roots & stairs.
🐶 Leashed Pups Welcome
Enjoy the scenic walks with your furry friends on a 6-foot leash. +1
🗺️ Grab a Trail Map
A map is available at the parking lot bulletin board for navigation.
🚗 Parking Available
A dedicated parking lot with a portable potty is on-site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Poets' Walk Park for its stunning, accessible trails and breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. The park is well-maintained, offering a peaceful escape, though some lower trails can be challenging. It's a popular spot for photography and enjoying sunsets, with ample parking and dog-friendly policies.
"Very enjoyable walk that took us round trip 1 hour. We walked briskly to return to the car before dusk. If we walked leisurely the whole way, resting at every stop, it might have taken up to 1.5 hours round trip. We visited very stop on the trail briefly and appreciated the sunset view. There is one section that goes a little steep downwards but other than that, it’s a fairly easy walk. It’s stroller friendly for the first part of the walk that is on a clear path. Midway, you will walk on a grassy area. Added that, there will be many steps with cool roots throughout creating natural steps.
There benches throughout the walk for short stops. We saw families, couples, dog owners walk the trail.
Parking: There is a parking lot with a portable potty."
Mir
"Pooper's Walk Park!
Beautiful walk, part in open meadow, part on forest paths. Lots of "clean up after your dog" signs are being ignored tho and poop is all over the ground and hung in bags from bushes along the paths. Why? I'm a big hiker and I've never seen anything like it, even in neglected city parks. Sad and gross."
Lillian Rothschild
"I’ve been to Poet’s Walk a few times but this was my first time walking all of the paths. My wife and I walked three miles with some back tracking. It’s about a two mile walk doing the larger loop. This is one of the many great Scenic Hudson parks. The parking lot gets busy and I’m sure on many weekends it’s full but people come and go often. The main paths are in great shape and easy to walk on. Wheelchairs would work on this path.
It’s a short walk to the “Lookout” and you have an amazing view of the Catskills and Hudson River. Benches are all the way around the cider tree gazebo. Beyond the Lookout there is an intersection that allows you to walk down to Parkers Place on two different trails. One is still an easy walking path and the other is a hiking trail with rocks, roots and stairs that's not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers but both end up at Parker's Place. The map of the park shows the Accessible Trail which goes to the Lookout (0.66 miles).
Parker’s Place has a gazebo and great views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. We were lucky to be there without anyone else to sit and enjoy the view.
The park closes and the gate is locked at different times throughout the year. The park closes at 6:00 PM in the winter, 7:30 for Spring and Fall and 8:30 in the summer so you can watch the sunset before the gate is locked. The park is dog friendly with 6’ leashes."
Bill Lozano
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Poets' Walk Park is located in Red Hook, NY. While some TikToks mention taking the ferry to Red Hook for other attractions, Poets' Walk Park is best accessed by car. There is a dedicated parking lot available on-site. +1
Yes, the park has a designated parking lot, making it relatively easy to locate. It's a popular spot, especially on weekends, so arriving earlier can be beneficial.
There is a parking lot available at the park entrance. It can get busy, but visitors note that people come and go frequently.
Public transport options to Red Hook can be time-consuming, often involving a train and then a bus. Driving is generally the most convenient way to reach Poets' Walk Park.
Absolutely! It's a perfect pit stop or a destination for a relaxing day trip, especially when combined with other attractions in the Red Hook area. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Poets' Walk Park is a public park and does not require an entrance fee or tickets. It's a free-to-access Scenic Hudson park.
The park closes at dusk, with specific gate locking times varying by season: 6:00 PM in winter, 7:30 PM in spring and fall, and 8:30 PM in summer.
Yes, Poets' Walk Park is open year-round, though the closing times change seasonally to accommodate sunset viewing.
The main restriction is the park's closing time at dusk. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a 6-foot leash.
No, the park gates are locked at dusk, so visiting after dark is not possible. Plan your visit to enjoy the daylight and sunset.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
The main path is wide, flat, and well-maintained, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. It winds through meadows with seasonal views of the river. Lower trails are more rugged with roots and stairs.
A brisk round trip can take about an hour. A leisurely walk, stopping at viewpoints, might take 1.5 hours. The larger loop is about two miles.
Yes, there are benches throughout the walk for short breaks, and a gazebo at Parker's Place offers a great spot to sit and enjoy the views.
You'll enjoy stunning views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. The 'Lookout' offers a particularly impressive panorama.
Absolutely! The scenic views, especially during fall foliage or sunset, make it a fantastic spot for photography.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities within Poets' Walk Park itself. However, the nearby town of Red Hook offers various dining options, from casual eateries to barbecue joints. +1
While there are no designated picnic areas, you can bring your own food and enjoy it at one of the benches or the gazebo, provided you clean up after yourself.
Red Hook has several popular spots. Hometown Barbecue is frequently mentioned, as are local coffee shops like Red Hook Coffee Shop. +1
Parker's Place within the park offers great river views, but it's a scenic spot rather than a restaurant. For dining with views, you might need to explore options in nearby towns like Kingston.
Red Hook offers a diverse culinary scene, including cafes, barbecue, and other local favorites, making it a great place to grab a bite before or after your park visit. +1
📸 📸 Photography
The 'Lookout' point offers expansive views of the Hudson River and Catskills. The Cider Tree Gazebo and the scenic trails themselves are also picturesque.
Late afternoon for golden hour and sunset is highly recommended for stunning light. Fall foliage also provides a vibrant backdrop.
Capturing the panoramic river and mountain views, the charming gazebo, and the interplay of light through the trees are popular photo subjects.
The main accessible trail is ideal for photographers with strollers or wheelchairs, offering smooth paths and great vantage points without difficult terrain.
It's excellent for landscape photography, nature shots, and even portrait sessions, especially during the fall or sunset.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit