Tivoli Bays

Park Overview:

Tidal wetland and upland forest reserved for research and wildlife.
Trail Uses:Hiking
Dogs:Dogs on leash
Trail Miles:4 miles
Park Acreage:1722 acres
City/County/
State:		Red Hook/Dutchess/NY
Park Description:

This area is part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, managed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. It is a wildlife management area and field laboratory for research and education about the Hudson River Estuary. A large part of the reserve is a tidal wetland, but it is surrounded by a buffer of upland forest and shoreline. Bard College maintains a field station on the South Bay at the end of Blithewood Rd., which is also used as a regional headquarters for the Estuarine Research Reserve. Visitors are welcomed on the trails, and for canoeing and birdwatching. Hunting, fishing and trapping are permitted in season.
Trails Overview:

The trails skirt and pass through the tidal areas as well as wind through the surrounding landscape.

  •        The North Bay Trail [1.0 mile] follows Stony Creek along waterfalls and a tidal creek, through a hemlock ravine, mixed deciduous forest, and tidal swamp.
  •        The Cruger Island Causeway Trail [0.4 mile] runs through a mature freshwater tidal swamp. This trail floods at high tide and is wet at low tide.
  •        The Overlook Trail [1.1 miles] goes from NY 9G through rolling fields and woods to a panoramic view of the North Bay, Hudson River and the Catskills.
  •        The Hogback Trail [0.6 miles] climbs through a hardwood forest with many varieties of wildflowers in spring.

Bard College Field Station also has trails around the South Bay. A crude trail map is available at this link.
Directions:

The North Bay trailhead is at the Tivoli Bays Visitor Center inside the Watts dePeyster Fireman's Hall in the Village of Tivoli.  There is a parking area and information kiosk on NY 9G south of Tivoli, as well as 7 other parking areas off the roads that head toward the reserve off NY 9G including Kidd Lane, Cruger Island Rd. and Blithewood Rd.
Contact Information:Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Bard College Field Station
845-758-7010
Region:Dutchess County
Fees:None