D & H Canal Park

The D & H Canal towpath is nestled within the 300-acre D & H Canal Park in the New York hamlet of Cuddebackville. The crushed-stone trail, stretching just over a half mile, is one section of a larger trail system winding along the historical Delaware and Hudson (D & H) Canal, which dates back to the early 1800s.

Walking and biking can be enjoyed in this beautiful natural setting, as well as fishing in the Neversink River. The D & H Canal Park Visitor Center is a good place to start your journey to learn more about the canal; you can also picnic on its grounds. The Neversink Valley Area Museum (located adjacent to the park entrance) is another must-visit attraction for history buffs.

Parking and Trail Access

The trail is located within D & H Canal Park (58 Hoag Road, Cuddebackville), where parking and restrooms are available at the visitor center.

Short Scenic trail in a beautiful setting

November 2009 6zfshdb

Orange County New York has a winner here with their well maintained D+H Canal Park. Although short, the smooth, level .75 mile long crushed stone trail winds through a very scenic area. About halfway in, the trail passes what appears to be a canal basin with an island. Remnants of the stone canal wall can be seen in several spots.

The park also includes the small Neversink Valley Museum at 72 Hoag Road. The many period artifacts, including two restored canal boats, make it well worth seeing. The stone abutments of the old aqueduct where the D+H Canal crossed the Neversink River can be seen from the river bank in front of the museum.

A Visitors Center with spacious parking, spotless restrooms and picnic facilities makes this park a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, with or without your bikes!

An Extremely Picturesque Locale

April 2002 railtrailbiker

"If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Orange County, NY, do not consider it complete until you’ve visited this facility. Literally, something here will be of interest to everyone in your family. The park is located on Route 209 just south of Route 211 in Cuddebackville, NY.

This recreational facility is very well maintained and hosts picnic and BBQ facilities, a museum, an elaborate visitors center, plenty of wide open space, and fishing and boating opportunities. Most importantly, for trail lovers there is a one-mile long segment of the D&H Canal towpath that offers some of the most breathtaking views I’ve seen in years.

The towpath surface here is free of all tree roots, level, and completely dry. There are no street crossings along the entire one-mile route. Busy Route 209 is immediately adjacent to the northernmost trail segment; quieter surroundings will be encountered closer to the Hoag Road parking area and trailhead.

“More like a lake” is how I would describe the canal along this stretch of towpath. It’s very wide from bank to bank, deep, and still. Several very beautiful private residences adjoin the park area, which assist in completing this most lovely of settings.

Don’t miss it; plan on spending at least one-half of a day exploring this unique resource."