New Paltz, NY
WEATHER
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SUGGESTED TRAILS
River-to-Ridge Trail Loop. This is our FAVORITE 6-mile loop. Great for beginners.
The trail, a scenic and recreational off-road loop, was created by the Open Space Institute in partnership with Mohonk Preserve, and with support from the Butler Conservation Fund. It meanders through farm fields and over gently rolling hills, connecting New Paltz directly to the Shawangunk Ridge and 90 miles of recreational carriage roads and trails at the Mohonk Preserve and the Minnewaska State Park Preserve; the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail; and the Empire State Trail.
Source: Open Space Institute
Wallkill Valley Scenic Adventure E-Bike Tour. This is an approximately 13-mile ride (each way, back and forth, but don't worry, it's an e-bike) along a dedicated nature bike trail. The views are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Bonus, there are a ton of side missions throughout your ride, including light bouldering, extreme hiking, exploring an abandoned furnaces and mines!
This trip is ideal for teens and big kids who don't mind getting a little bit dirty and tired after an awesome day. Bring your headlamp and helmet if you have.
DESTINATION
HISTORY
"If New Paltz were a Tinder profile, a lot of people would be swiping right. This town about 80 miles north of New York City, in southern Ulster County, is sporty, brainy, cultured and beautiful. Cradled by a mountain range, surrounded by meadows and forested preserves, cut through by a river, anchored by a state university and speckled with historic houses, shops and galleries, it attracts athletes, day-trippers, art lovers and now..." Outerthere fam! - N.Y. Times
The town of New Paltz was founded in 1678 by French Huguenots by both patent from the governor and purchase from the local Esopus tribe of the Lenape people. Prior to the purchase of New Paltz during the 17th century, the Esopus tribe had been pressured off much of their land which is now present day Ulster and Sullivan counties, because of conflicts known as the Esopus Wars. As a result, the Esopus were willing to exchange the land for a hefty sum of goods. The Huguenots were religious refugees from France who had immigrated via Mannheim in the German Palatinate, where they had settled after fleeing France during religious persecution. They settled in the area of the present-day village of New Paltz (on what is now known as Huguenot Street Historic District) and established their own local government.
The size of the town increased with annexation from surrounding regions in 1775 and 1809. In 1842, part of New Paltz was removed to form the Town of Esopus. More of New Paltz was removed in order to form the towns of Rosendale (1844), Lloyd (1845), and Gardiner (1853).
Source: Wikipedia
PRO-TIP
The entire town is walkable, with extraordinary shopping and great restaurants on one side of the Wallkill River and spectacular outdoor spaces on the other side.
You can also access the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and The Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary from this location.