The Hudson River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. It’s beautiful, historical, and iconic, and people have been dependent on it for many things for thousands of years.
Although the river is 315 miles in length and runs from the top of Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks all the way to the New York Bay, one of the most breathtaking and memorable sections of the river is the 30-or-so-mile Hudson River Highlands section between Haverstraw Bay and Newburgh Bay.
This road trip will give you the opportunity to drive along the river on both sides through the Hudson Highlands section. You’ll love the towns and views along the way.
This road trip only includes a little over two hours of driving, but it will take you at least a full day with all the stops.
Christy Articola/Google Maps
- Haverstraw Bay
Santiago Pena/Google Local This Hudson River Highland road trip begins in the town of Haverstraw on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, just north of Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge. Haverstraw Bay is the widest part of the Hudson River. It’s about 3.4 miles wide here. You can get a great view of the river at Landslide Point, shown here. This was the site of a tragedy; in 1906, a landslide occurred here due to unsafe mining practices. Nineteen people died and five blocks of the city collapsed into the river. Haverstraw, NY, USA
- Stony Point Battlefield
Jose Ortega/Google Local Head north on Route 202 to Stony Point Battlefield State Park. This was the site of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point in the Revolutionary War. As you can see, the foothills of the Catskills begin here. Battlefield Road, Battlefield Rd, Stony Point, NY, USA
- Bear Mountain State Park
Charles Charkowsky/Google Local Continue northward to Bear Mountain State Park. This 5,205-acre state park is large, beautiful, and popular. There are miles of trails for you to explore and visitors flock here year-round. Bear Mountain State Parkway, Bear Mountain State Pkwy, Mohegan Lake, NY, USA
- West Point
Timothy Joseph Hospodar/Google Local Route 202 crosses over the Bear Mountain Bridge, but stay on the western side of the river and continue north on 9W to West Point. The United States Military Academy at West Point has been educating soldiers since 1802. It’s a beautiful campus and it’s right in the heart of the Hudson Highlands. West Point, NY, USA
- Newburgh
DenisTangneyJr/iStock Getty Images Plus via Getty Images After visiting West Point, continue up Route 9W to Newburgh. The city of Newburgh was first settled in 1709 and has a rich history. This town has always depended on the Hudson River in many ways. Newburgh, NY 12550, USA
- Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
Lemuel/Google Local Next, cross over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to the eastern shore of the river. You’ll be headed south from here on out. Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, Newburgh, NY, USA
- Beacon
Vadim Solodukhin/Google Local Across the river from Newburgh is the city of Beacon. Beacon was the home of musician Pete Seeger in the 1960s when the Hudson River was very polluted. Looking out on the dirty river each day inspired him to start the Clearwater environmental organization, which still exists to this day. Clearwater was integral in cleaning up the river and in the passing of the Clean Water Act of 1972. Beacon, NY 12508, USA
- Bannerman’s Island
Cavan Images/iStock Getty Images Plus via Getty Images A bit south of Beacon on an island in the river you’ll see Bannerman Castle. This structure was built by Francis Bannerman in 1901 as his home and as a storage facility for his collection of military artifacts. It has been in ruins for a century, but it’s still spectacular to view. Pollepel Island, Fishkill, NY 12508, USA
- Cold Spring
Blake Butler/EyeEm Collection via Getty Images The village of Cold Spring is just a bit further south on Route 9D. This town is small and charming. It’s just north of West Point, but on the eastern shore. The views of the mountains here are spectacular. Cold Spring, NY 10516, USA
- Anthony’s Nose
Mad Martigen/Google Local Anthony’s Nose is a 900-ft. peak on the eastern shore of the river at Bear Mountain Bridge. If you climb to the top, you’ll be able to take photos like this one. Anthony’s Nose, Cortlandt, NY 10524, USA
- Peekskill
Crzepeda/Google Local After passing the eastern side of Bear Mountain Bridge, you’re back on Route 202. Continue south to Peekskill. This is another great spot to enjoy river views. Peekskill, NY, USA
- Croton Point
Yury Kritchallo/Google Local Finally, make your way down Route 9 to Croton Point Park to end your journey. You’re back at Haverstraw Bay here, just on the other side of the river from where you began. Croton Point, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520, USA
This is one of the best road trips you can take in New York state and in America in general! Let the river be your guide. You’ll love the towns, views, history, and people that you encounter along the way. This is a road trip that you’ll never forget!
Christy Articola/Google Maps
Santiago Pena/Google Local
This Hudson River Highland road trip begins in the town of Haverstraw on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, just north of Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge. Haverstraw Bay is the widest part of the Hudson River. It’s about 3.4 miles wide here. You can get a great view of the river at Landslide Point, shown here. This was the site of a tragedy; in 1906, a landslide occurred here due to unsafe mining practices. Nineteen people died and five blocks of the city collapsed into the river.
Haverstraw, NY, USA
Jose Ortega/Google Local
Head north on Route 202 to Stony Point Battlefield State Park. This was the site of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point in the Revolutionary War. As you can see, the foothills of the Catskills begin here.
Battlefield Road, Battlefield Rd, Stony Point, NY, USA
Charles Charkowsky/Google Local
Continue northward to Bear Mountain State Park. This 5,205-acre state park is large, beautiful, and popular. There are miles of trails for you to explore and visitors flock here year-round.
Bear Mountain State Parkway, Bear Mountain State Pkwy, Mohegan Lake, NY, USA
Timothy Joseph Hospodar/Google Local
Route 202 crosses over the Bear Mountain Bridge, but stay on the western side of the river and continue north on 9W to West Point. The United States Military Academy at West Point has been educating soldiers since 1802. It’s a beautiful campus and it’s right in the heart of the Hudson Highlands.
West Point, NY, USA
DenisTangneyJr/iStock Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
After visiting West Point, continue up Route 9W to Newburgh. The city of Newburgh was first settled in 1709 and has a rich history. This town has always depended on the Hudson River in many ways.
Newburgh, NY 12550, USA
Lemuel/Google Local
Next, cross over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to the eastern shore of the river. You’ll be headed south from here on out.
Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, Newburgh, NY, USA
Vadim Solodukhin/Google Local
Across the river from Newburgh is the city of Beacon. Beacon was the home of musician Pete Seeger in the 1960s when the Hudson River was very polluted. Looking out on the dirty river each day inspired him to start the Clearwater environmental organization, which still exists to this day. Clearwater was integral in cleaning up the river and in the passing of the Clean Water Act of 1972.
Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Cavan Images/iStock Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
A bit south of Beacon on an island in the river you’ll see Bannerman Castle. This structure was built by Francis Bannerman in 1901 as his home and as a storage facility for his collection of military artifacts. It has been in ruins for a century, but it’s still spectacular to view.
Pollepel Island, Fishkill, NY 12508, USA
Blake Butler/EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
The village of Cold Spring is just a bit further south on Route 9D. This town is small and charming. It’s just north of West Point, but on the eastern shore. The views of the mountains here are spectacular.
Cold Spring, NY 10516, USA
Mad Martigen/Google Local
Anthony’s Nose is a 900-ft. peak on the eastern shore of the river at Bear Mountain Bridge. If you climb to the top, you’ll be able to take photos like this one.
Anthony’s Nose, Cortlandt, NY 10524, USA
Crzepeda/Google Local
After passing the eastern side of Bear Mountain Bridge, you’re back on Route 202. Continue south to Peekskill. This is another great spot to enjoy river views.
Peekskill, NY, USA
Yury Kritchallo/Google Local
Finally, make your way down Route 9 to Croton Point Park to end your journey. You’re back at Haverstraw Bay here, just on the other side of the river from where you began.
Croton Point, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520, USA
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