Welcome to The Walkway!
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge, spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Originally opened in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, the Walkway was a thoroughfare for trains until 1974, when a great fire twisted the tracks and ended its service as a rail line. From 1974 until the mid-2000s, the bridge sat dormant until the completion of a grassroots community campaign to adapt the structure into a pedestrian park led to the opening of Walkway Over the Hudson in 2009. To date, more than seven million people have visited to walk, run, bike, skate, stroll, and take in breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views of the Hudson River and its scenic surroundings.
Walkway Over the Hudson stands 212 feet above the Hudson River. It is 1.28 miles long from gate to gate and a key connector between the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, Hudson Valley Rail Trail, and Empire State Trail. The entire span is lined with a substantial, chest-high safety railing.
Access to the Walkway is free during regular operating hours.
Getting to the Walkway
Substantial on-street parking and a number of parking areas are open near the Walkway. Please follow posted signage for information about metering and parking availability.
Walkway West (Highland)
Parking lot address: 70 Haviland Road, Highland, NY, 12528
Free parking is available in the Hudson Valley Rail Trail lot adjacent to the Caboose at 70 Haviland Road. The Town of Lloyd charges for on-street parking along Haviland Road, and in the lower gravel lot at 89 Haviland Road. Please follow posted signage to avoid potential fines.
Walkway East (Poughkeepsie)
Parking lot address: 61 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
This lot is managed by New York State Parks and accepts the New York State Parks Empire Pass.
*DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, THE UNPAVED SCENIC HUDSON LOT ON PARKER AVENUE IS CLOSED*
Free parking near the Poughkeepsie entrance to the Walkway is available in Pulaski Park (170 Washington Street) and along Brookside Avenue between Washington Street and Garden Street. Follow posted signage for paid or free on-street parking.
Washington Street Stairs (Poughkeepsie)
A staircase located at 131 Washington Street in Poughkeepsie offers entrance to the park directly at the East Gate Plaza. The Washington Street Stairs are 0.7 miles from the train station and accessible by a short walk or car ride.
Upper Landing Park (Elevator Entrance):
A Dutchess County Park located on the banks of the Hudson River on Water Street in Poughkeepsie, Upper Landing Park offers visitors a beautiful setting to stroll through 300 years of history, relax, picnic, and access the Walkway's elevator (open seasonally, operating hours at right).
Parking is available at the Poughkeepsie Train Station - 83 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601.
Elevator at Upper Landing Park: The 21-story, glass-enclosed ADA-compliant elevator on the Poughkeepsie waterfront at Upper Landing Park operates seasonally from 9 a.m, until 90 minutes prior to park closing, unless closed for maintenance. The elevator is attended by staff and the ride is approximately 90 seconds. Like the Walkway, the elevator is open weather permitting and may close for thunder, lightning, and high winds.
To confirm if the elevator is running, call the Elevator Status Hotline: 845-834-3641
Take the Train to the Walkway
The Walkway is easily accessible by Amtrak or Metro-North Railroad. The Washington Street Stairs (131 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie) are a short 0.7 mile walk or car ride from the Poughkeepsie Train Station.
- Amtrak: Poughkeepsie Station 800-872-7245
- Metro-North: Poughkeepsie Station 212-532-4900
- Dutchess Transit: Public transportation bus options in Poughkeepsie
Tour The Walkway
Visitors are invited to learn about the history of the Walkway, the past and present of the Hudson Valley, and the ecology of the Hudson River in several engaging ways. QR-coded signage along the Walkway's railings links to a mobile audio tour available in English, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin Chinese. A guided, GPS-based audio tour is available via TravelStorys. For the best performance, download the free TravelStorys app on your smartphone.
Group tours are available for parties large and small and perfect for functions attended by people of all ages. Led by trained Walkway Ambassadors, a guided tour is the perfect way to experience Walkway Over the Hudson. A Walkway tour is great for any occasion, inlcuding teambuilding, birthday parties, family reunions, and more. Walkway Over the Hudson is equipped to handle coach buses traveling in the region.
Accessibility
Flat, paved, and with no stairs required, Walkway Over the Hudson is one of the most accessible destinations in America. Walkway Over the Hudson has undergone a detailed accessibility assessment by Wheel the World, received an insights report, and completed specialized training to better serve travelers with disabilities. The entrances at 87 Haviland Road (Highland) and 61 Parker Avenue (Poughkeepsie) and the elevator entrance at Upper Landing Park (Poughkeepsie) are ADA-compliant.
To assist seniors, veterans, people with mobility challenges, and those with a fear of heights, the Friends of the Walkway's all-electric 12-passenger, wheelchair accessible tram is in service during select hours. Lean more on the tram webpage.
Handicapped parking spaces are available on both entrances to the bridge.
Wheelchair rentals are available from loan closets in Dutchess County (Poughkeepsie entrance) and Ulster County (Highland entrance).
Please note: Embedded in the surface of the bridge are expansion joints (separations designed to relieve stress on construction materials) which are not ADA compliant. Please use caution while traversing.
Extend Your Stay
There's so much to explore in the Hudson Valley. For visitors seeking overnight accommodations, the new Inn At Bellefield in Hyde Park is the official hotel partner of the Friends of the Walkway. It is located just 2.5 miles away from the Walkway's Poughkeepsie entrance and is situated across the street from the famous Culinary Institute of America.
About The Walkway
Walkway Over the Hudson is a New York State Park and part of the Taconic Region. As a bridge, it is continuously inspected and maintained by the New York State Bridge Authority. The Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization raises funds to bring new amenities to the park, host engaging community events, support the volunteer Walkway Ambassadors, create employment opportunities for local youth, preserve the history of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, and more. To make a donation and support the future of Walkway Over the Hudson, visit walkway.org/donate.
The Friends of the Walkway offices are located a short walk from the Walkway in Poughkeepsie and open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. To get in touch, email walkway@walkway.org or call 845-454-9649.
2024 Walkway Hours
Walkway Over the Hudson is open seven days a week, 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset (weather permitting). Click below to see closing times. Occasionally, park hours or accessibility changes to accommodate special events. To confirm Walkway's hours in advance of your visit, call 845-834-2867.
Elevator Hours:
Open: 9 a.m.
Closed: 90 minutes prior to park closing
*The elevator may not operate during maintenance, high winds, or inclement weather.
Confirm elevator status prior to you visit.
Elevator Hotline: 845-834-3641
Pavilion Hours
Open Saturday and Sunday
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Purchase Walkway souvenirs, get information an Ambassador, or hop on our electric tram.
GPS Addresses
Poughkeepsie (East) Parking Lot/Approach
61 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Highland (West) Parking Lot/Approach
87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY 12528
Weather closings: If inclement weather makes the Walkway unsafe for visitors, NYS Parks staff may close the park and/or the elevator until conditions improve. If the park is closed, the elevator is also closed. Significant weather-related closings are announced on the bridge and via Facebook and Twitter. Thank you in advance for cooperating with park staff when they ask you to leave the bridge for safety reasons.
Restrooms: There are indoor restrooms open year-round inside the Welcome Centers on both approaches.
Pets on the Walkway: Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the Walkway. Please take a complimentary waste bag available at each entrance to pick up and dispose of your pet's waste. Touch the pavement with your hand before bringing your pet on the Walkway. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your pet!
Smoking Policy: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a non-smoking park.
Questions?: For lost and found, park hours, closings or other operational questions, call the NYS Parks Walkway Office at 845-834-2867.