Mills-Norrie State Park
![Trail along the Hudson River - Photo credit: Daniela Wagstaff Trail along the Hudson River - Photo credit: Daniela Wagstaff](http://thehighlandstrail.info/sites/default/files/styles/hike_park_destination_page/public/park/126_MillsNorrie1_Wagstaff2015.jpg?itok=D-3ShyGR)
![Trail along the Hudson River - Photo credit: Daniela Wagstaff Trail along the Hudson River - Photo credit: Daniela Wagstaff](http://thehighlandstrail.info/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/park/126_MillsNorrie1_Wagstaff2015.jpg?itok=0-ErX8mI)
Park Overview:
This parkland combines both Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills State Park and Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. The two host so many activities there is likely to be something to interest anyone.
Park Description:
Besides a multi-use trail system, Mills-Norrie State Park maintains a golf course, a marina on the Hudson, picnic areas, camping and cabins, and an environmental center. Included within the park is the Staatsburg State Historic Site, a Beaux-Arts era Stanford White-designed mansion with views across the Hudson to the Catskills that is seasonally open for tours. There are fees for some activities, please check with the parks.
Trails Overview:
Trail uses include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Cross-country skiing is available in winter on the golf course. Park borders the Hudson River with scenic trails.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a map of trails and other attractions.
Park Acreage:
1000.00 acresMunicipality:
StaatsburgThis parkland combines both Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills State Park and Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. The two host so many activities there is likely to be something to interest anyone.
Besides a multi-use trail system, Mills-Norrie State Park maintains a golf course, a marina on the Hudson, picnic areas, camping and cabins, and an environmental center. Included within the park is the Staatsburg State Historic Site, a Beaux-Arts era Stanford White-designed mansion with views across the...
Park Acreage:
1000.00 acresMunicipality:
StaatsburgContact Information
Web Link:
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic PreservationPhone:
(845) 889-4646Fees:
Yes, click on 'Contact Information' for further informationDogs in park:
Dogs on leashHike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
These two are my favorite parks in the area for a number of reasons. Since they are both connected many trails are connected and continue from one to the other.
Without a doubt the most popular trail is the River Trail. It was closed off and sketchy for awhile, but recent updates have returned this trail to its former glory. There are a number of beaches with perfect stones to skip on the river, overlooks and cliffs where you can watch the wakes from barges crash into the shore, beautiful trees and stone walls, and the occasional bald eagle sighting (which have been more and more frequent in the last year). While it appears to end at the gazebo, there is a continuation on the trail on the Norrie side of the park that leads to more stone beaches and some overlooks of Esopus Island. This brings you all the way to the Norrie campground.
The trails that wind through the woods are also amazing. The trail is gravel in most places, but leads you to old barns and the Hoyt House, a historic house in the woods that is being restored. There are four or five different structures in the woods along this trail, and others that are hidden from view.
If you explore the side trails and other routes there are many places that most have not seen. Deep in the woods is a cemetery that dates back to the 1700's. It is not listed on the maps, but there is a trail that leads right to it.
Finally, the park owns Esopus Island, which you need a boat to get to. If you get a chance to kayak out to the island you can explore the shores and forest on the island, and in the Spring see a number of goose nests. The island also has a strange history. There was a man who lived on the island for forty days and nights. I don't know all of the details but it is pretty kooky. One of the longer trails in the park (The Hyde Park trail) has an overlook to the island with a plaque about the islands history.
Finally there are the main features of each site, the Historic Mills Mansion, and the environmental center at Norrie. Tours are given at Mills almost everyday and they also have many special events. The environmental center has an amazing waterfront section with a beautiful view out towards the Hudson where many people fish.
These parks have some of the more interesting hikes in the Hudson Valley and you get a great view without any steep climbs.