Tivoli Bays
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 (See Web Map link).
Parking for Kidd Lane and Access Road – GPS Coordinates: 42.046177, -73.906571
Park Overview
Tidal wetland and upland forest reserved for research and wildlife but open for hiking and biking
Trail Overview
A network of nine trails skirt around and pass through both tital and upland area -- totaling 4 miles of blazed trails plus several more miles of unimproved road.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a DEC trail map.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hogback Trail [0.6 miles] climbs through a hardwood forest with many varieties of wildflowers in spring.
Poison ivy is prevalent in Tivoli Bays. Avoid exposed feet and ankles. Dutchess County has a high incidence of tick-borne Lyme disease. Use safety precautions and check for ticks after your excursion.
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. Visitors are welcomed on the trails, and for canoeing and bird watching. Hunting, fishing and trapping are permitted in season.