National Historic Site · New York

Trails in Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

11 named trails · 4 miles · 1 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

11 trails, A to Z.

Bard Rock North Trail

0.1 mi one way · 10 ft of descent · 7 ft–18 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Bard Rock South Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 13 ft–32 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Bard Rock Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 20 ft–175 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Garden Path

0.7 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 122 ft–172 ft

History

Along the way Garden Loggia North Pergola Pool Pergola

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Hyde Park Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 20 ft of descent · 15 ft–37 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lower Gate Entry

about 10 ft of climbing · 28 ft–40 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Vanderbilt Garden Trail

0.4 mi one way · 90 ft of descent · 92 ft–178 ft

History

Along the way Vanderbilt Mansion

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Vanderbilt Lower Gate Road

0.1 mi one way · 40 ft of descent · 42 ft–83 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Vanderbilt Overlook trail

0.4 mi one way · 172 ft–177 ft

ViewsVisitor centers

Along the way Overlook Pavilion Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Vanderbilt Service Road trail

1.1 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 18 ft–51 ft

Vanderbilt Riverfront Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Length: 2.5 mile loop

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Green and white Hyde Park Trail Marker

Trailhead Location: Parking is at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site parking lot. Follow loop.

Terrain : Moderate walking on park roads. Some steep hills, views of the Hudson River.

History : It all began here—on the banks of the Hudson River. For centuries, the river sustained the livelihood of Native Americans, European explorers and landowners, African American slaves, and the scions of American industry. These trails traverse time, taking you on a journey from the first waterfront settlements through the Gilded Age of the early twentieth century.

Trail map available here .

Rules & Regulations

Safety first!

Trail is open daily sunrise to sunset.

Bikes are not permitted on any trails at this site.

Garbage cans are not available. This is a Carry In,Carry Out trail.

Stay on marked trails only.

Hunting, trapping, or possession of firearms prohibited.

No Fires, camping, or swimming.

Pets must be leashed; You must clean up after your pet.

Removal or disturbance of flora, fauna, or cultural resources is strictly prohibited.

Motorized vehicles prohibited.

In Case of Emergency Call 911

Report Safety & Security Issues to (845) 229-9380

Report Trail Maintenance Issues to (845) 229-1521

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Vanderbilt Walkway

0.2 mi one way · 177 ft–179 ft

HistoryVisitor centers

Along the way Vanderbilt Mansion Pavilion Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

More hikes the Park Service describes

Write-ups that name no single mapped trail, in the Service's words.

• Hudson River Art Trail · dogs allowed
  The Hudson River School Art Trail connects you with the places in nature that Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School artists made famous in their 19th-century landscape paintings. Cole founded this nation’s first major art movement, now known as the Hudson River School, and advocated for the preservation of the American landscape as a national treasure.

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.