Hudson-Valley

A massive and historic state park on the Hudson River with a merry-go-round, swimming pool, trail museum, and miles of hiking trails including a section of the Appalachian Trail. Perkins Memorial Drive takes you to the summit for panoramic views of the Hudson Valley. The Trailside Museums and Zoo at the base are free with park admission and fascinate younger kids. The pool complex is great for a hot day. This park has something for every age and can easily fill an entire day.

A large Hudson Highlands park with a swimming beach on Canopus Lake, over 50 miles of trails, and a campground. The beach is family-friendly with a sandy shore and lifeguards. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park and shorter nature loops are available for younger kids. The park encompasses 14000 acres of forests, ponds, and streams with excellent birding and wildlife viewing. Canopus Lake also has boat rentals. It is a perfect weekend destination that combines swimming, hiking, and camping.

The second largest state park in New York with over 200 miles of trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, and two swimming beaches. The park is massive and offers everything from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain hikes. Lake Sebago and Lake Welch have lifeguard-staffed beaches perfect for families. The trails range from flat lakeshore walks to rocky ridgeline scrambles with Hudson Valley views. It is an incredible outdoor playground close to New York City and a great place to introduce kids to serious hiking.

A rugged Hudson Highlands park with challenging trails and some of the most dramatic views of the Hudson River anywhere. The Stillman Trail to the Butter Hill summit is a moderately strenuous loop with panoramic views over the river, West Point, and the surrounding mountains. The trails involve rocky scrambles and steep sections so this is best for families with older kids who are comfortable on rough terrain. The payoff views are worth every step. On a clear day you can see the skyline of New York City.

A sprawling park along the Taconic Range on the Massachusetts border with two camping areas, swimming, hiking, and waterfalls. The Copake Falls area has a campground, lake swimming at Ore Pit Pond, and a short trail to Bash Bish Brook. The Rudd Pond Area has another campground and a beautiful swimming pond. Over 20 miles of trails including a section of the South Taconic Trail offer ridge-top views. The park spans both gentle terrain for young families and rugged terrain for adventurous older kids.

A dramatic escarpment park with cliff-top views stretching 40 miles across the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys. The Indian Ladder Trail is the signature hike, descending along the cliff face on stairs and walkways behind a waterfall. Kids love walking behind the waterfall and the geology exposed in the cliff face spans millions of years. The park has over 25 miles of trails, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The Helderberg Escarpment is one of the richest fossil-bearing rock formations in the world.

The longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world, a converted railroad bridge 212 feet above the Hudson River. The 1.28-mile walk across offers incredible views up and down the river and of the surrounding mountains. Kids love the experience of being that high above the water and the bridge is wide, flat, and fenced, making it safe for all ages. An elevator on the Poughkeepsie side makes it accessible. On the Highland side, the Walkway connects to a rail trail for extended biking and walking.