The Open Space Institute (OSI) recently celebrated the one-millionth visit to its six-mile long River-to-Ridge Trail in New Paltz, NY. The Ulster County trail, which opened in 2018, has become well-utilized thanks to its easily accessible and central location, sweeping views, and year-round recreational opportunities.
OSI’s ownership of the trail and surrounding land has most recently included the installation of new benches, the planting of additional shade trees, and the completion of trail resurfacing. Additional projects are planned for the upcoming year, including new trail and kiosk signage and wider gate openings.
Over the past six years, the trail has attracted a growing number of visitors year after year according to OSI. The River-to-Ridge Trail features wide and well-maintained crushed gravel paths traveling over gently rolling hills near the Wallkill River, and offers a recreational opportunity for for walkers, runners, hikers, cyclists, birdwatchers, equestrians, anglers, cross-country skiers, and others.
Located less than two hours from New York City, the River-to-Ridge Trail connects to the nearby Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Mohonk Preserve, providing users with an offroad connection to miles of additional trails and carriage roads.
An online survey of more than 200 River-to-Ridge Trail visitors in fall 2023 found that 98 percent of respondents rated their trail visits as “excellent” or “good,” with more than 70 percent reporting visiting the trail on a weekly basis.
The River-to-Ridge Trail is part of OSI’s Growing Greenways: West of Hudson Greenway Trails Vision Plan. Through this plan, OSI is working to create, improve, and link several local trails into a greenway and trail network spanning more than 250 miles across Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties.
Learn more about the Growing Greenways plan here.
The River-to-Ridge Trail begins on the edge of the Village of New Paltz just west of the Carmine Liberta Bridge on Route 299 and the trailhead parking area is located at 41 Springtown Road in New Paltz. The trail is open year-round and free of charge for public use and enjoyment.
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