Catskill Mountaineer

Ashokan Rail Trail
Ashokan Rail Trail
View of the Ashokan Reservoir from the Glenford Dike (mile post 11) on the Ashokan Rail Trail
 
 

OVERVIEW

  Name: Ashokan Rail Trail
  Forest: Near Bluestone Wild Forest
  Parking Area : Woodstock Dike Trailhead - 75 spaces (DEP) - Off Rt 28
  Parking Area : Ashokan Station Trailhead - 60 spaces (DEP) - Off Rt 28
  Parking Area : Boiceville Bridge Trailhead - 40 spaces (DEP) - Off Rt 28a
   
  Length : 11.5 miles
  East Section : 6.28 miles
  West Section : 5.23 miles
  Access : Foot, Bicycle, ski, or snowshoe
  Views : Several
  Hours : Dawn to Dusk
  Emergency : Call 911
  Maintenance : (845) 340-3102
   
  Ulster County Map: Ashokan Rail Trail Map (free)
   
  USGS Map: USGS West Kingston Quad Maps
   
  USGS Map: USGS Ashokan Quad Maps
   
  USGS Map: USGS West Shokan Quad Maps
   
  Digital Mapper: Topo     Terrain     Satellite

Maps of Ashokan Rail Trail

Map of the Ashokan Rail Trail near the Bluestone Wild Forest

 

Notes about the Ashokan Rail Trail

 HISTORY
  The Ashokan Rail Trail is location on the railroad bed of the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad ("U&D"). The U&D railway was originally built in the 1800's, and was owned by a number of other companies. In the early 1900's New York City constructed the Ashokan Reservoir. Parts of the U&D railway had to be moved. Today, New York City Department of Environment Protection ("DEP") now owns the land where the U&D operated on the north side of the Ashokan Reservoir. In the 2010's Open Space Institute and its partners (Dyson Foundation, Woodstock Conservancy, and some private donors) received a grant for $150,000 along with other donations, to build the foundation plans of the Ashokan Rail Trail.

Ulster County and NYC DEP then did the actual work of removing the old railroad tracks and ties, and creating a 12 foot wide gravel base for the Ashokan Rail Trail. This included building numerous wooden and metal bridges for 11 miles from the eastern shore of the Ashokan Reservoir to just beyond the western shore. The Ashokan Rail Trail was fully opened in November of 2019. Today it is a very popular place for the public to visit.

 TRAIL
  The Ashokan Rail Trail has a small stone gravel base that is 10-12 feet wide, and is ADA compliant. It is 11.5 miles long. There are granite stone mile post every 1/2 mile on the north side of the Ashokan Rail Trail. The mile post are very accurate. There are wooden bridges over certain areas, and a large metal bridge over the Esopus Creek that feeds water to the Ashokan Reservoir.

There is a large view spot just west of the Woodstock Dike Parking Area that overlooks the Ashokan Reservoir. There is a second view spot just east of the Boiceville Bridge Parking Area. It also looks over the Ashokan Reservoir and the Catskill Mountains in the Sundown Wild Forest and Slide Mountain Wilderness.

The Ashokan Rail Trail can be used on foot, bicycle, ski, and snowshoe. Electric wheel chairs are okay.

Most of the Ashokan Rail Trail is flat with a very mild change in elevation in a couple areas.

There tends to be more people around the parking areas. The further away you go from the parking areas, the less people you will see.


 PARKING
  Woodstock Dike Trailhead - 75 spaces (DEP) - 5.3 miles from Kingson - Off Rt 28 - Restrooms

Ashokan Station Trailhead - 60 spaces (DEP) - 9.3 miles from Kingston - On Rt 28 - Restrooms

Boiceville Bridge Trailhead - 40 spaces (DEP) - 16.5 miles from Kingson - Off Rt 28a - Restrooms


 RULES - ALLOWED USE
 
  • Running, walking, bicycling, skiing, snowshowing, and wheel chairs
  • Dogs are allowed, but you must remove any and all waste (swimming is excluded)
  • Organized events only allowed with DEP Special Permits
  • Hunters and Anglers (fishermen) may leave the trail only with a special permit for those activities.
    •  RULES - PROHIBITED USE
     
  • Leaving the Ashokan Rail Trail without a special permit
  • Use of motorized vehicles (electric wheel chairs are excluded from this rule)
  • Use of illegal drugs
  • Use of alcohol
  • Use of tobacco products (including e-cigaretts)
  • Horseback riding
  • Swimming or wading in any water body
  • Allowing pets to swim or wade in any water body
  • Camping
  • Cooking
  • Fires or stoves
  • fireworks
  • Littering, dumping trash, or leaving anything behind (LNT)
  • Operating drones
  • Removing plants, animals, or other objects
  • Commercial Activities
  • Discharging a gun across the Ashokan Rail Trail
  • Shooting an arrow across the Ashokan Rail Trail
  • Do not use the Ashokan Rail Trail in the dark
    •  RULES - PROPER CONDUCT
     
  • Leave No Trace ("LNT")
  • What every you bring onto the Ashokan Rail Trail, you must leave with
  • Do not leave with anything that you did not bring onto the Ashokan Rail Trail
  • Bicyclist pass - Warn others before passing them on the left
  • Hikers and Walkers - Stay to the RIGHT of the trail so that others can pass you
  • EMERGENCIES - Call 911
  • MAINTENANCE ISSUES - Call (845) 340-3102

    •  OTHER INFORMATION
      There is cell phone service on the Ashokan Rail Trail.



     

    DIRECTIONS to the WOODSTOCK DIKE PARKING AREA from Exit 19 (Kingston)

     
  • Woodstock Dike (DEP) - WGS84 (DEC): 41.994167, -74.094833 - Elevation is about 622'
    •  
  • Woodstock Dike (DEP) - Deg/Min/Sec: N41 59 39, W74 05 41 - Elevation is about 622'
    •  
  • Woodstock Dike (DEP) - GPS: N 41 59.650, W 74 05.690 - Elevation is about 622'
    •  
  • Woodstock Dike (DEP) - UTM: 18N 574971 4649525- Elevation is about 622'

    •  
     
  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
    •  
  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
    •  
  • Go approximately 5.3 miles on Rt 28 West
    •  
  • Take a LEFT onto (dirt road) DEP access road to Woodstock Dike Parking Area & Trailhead
    •  
     
  • Note: Room for 75 vehicles
    •  
  • Note: You CANNOT park on the side of DEP Access Road

    •  

    DIRECTIONS to the ASHOKAN STATION PARKING AREA from Exit 19 (Kingston)

     
  • Ashokan Station PA (DEP) - WGS84 (DEC): 41.974733, -74.197933 - Elevation is about 673'
    •  
  • Ashokan Station PA (DEP) - Deg/Min/Sec: N41 58 29, W74 11 52 - Elevation is about 673'
    •  
  • Ashokan Station PA (DEP) - GPS: N 41 58.484, W 74 11.876 - Elevation is about 673'
    •  
  • Ashokan Station PA (DEP) - UTM: 18N 566452 4647282 - Elevation is about 673'

    •  
     
  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
    •  
  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
    •  
  • Go approximately 11.3 miles on Rt 28 West
    •  
  • Take a LEFT into (paved entrance) Ashokan Station Parking Area & Trailhead
    •  
     
  • Note: Room for 60 vehicles

    •  

    DIRECTIONS to the BOICEVILLE BRIDGE PARKING AREA from Exit 19 (Kingston)

     
  • Boiceville Bridge PA (DEP) - WGS84 (DEC): 42.002, -74.270333 - Elevation is about 634'
    •  
  • Boiceville Bridge PA (DEP) - Deg/Min/Sec: N42 00 07, W74 16 13 - Elevation is about 634'
    •  
  • Boiceville Bridge PA (DEP) - GPS: N 42 00.120, W 74 16.220 - Elevation is about 634'
    •  
  • Boiceville Bridge PA (DEP) - UTM: 18N 560428 4650256 - Elevation is about 622'

    •  
     
  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
    •  
  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
    •  
  • Go approximately 16.2 miles on Rt 28 West
    •  
  • Take a LEFT onto Rt 28a (go over bridge)
    •  
  • Go approximately 0.3 miles on Rt 28a
    •  
  • Take a LEFT onto (dirt road) DEP access road to Boiceville Bridge Parking Area & Trailhead
    •  
     
  • Note: As of 2023, there is construction of a new bridge - access road will change in the future.
    •  
  • Note: Room for 40 vehicles
    •  
  • Note: You CANNOT park on the side of DEP Access Road

    • Ashokan Rail Trail

      Ashokan Rail Trail - Parking Areas
    The Woodstock Dike Parking Area and Trailhead for the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the WOODSTOCK DIKE Parking Area and Trailhead. It is 5.3 miles from Kingston (NYS Thruway - Exit 19). It holds about 75 cars. There are bathrooms at all Parking Areas. As of 2023, the access road and parking area was dirt.

    The beginning of the Ashokan Rail Trail is about 1/3 of a mile west of the Woodstock Dike Parking Area. If in the future, Ulster County extends the Ashokan Rail Trail to the east, then this would change the mileage.
    The Ashokan Station Parking Area and Trailhead for the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the ASHOKAN STATION Parking Area and Trailhead. It is 9.3 miles from Kingston (NYS Thruway - Exit 19). It holds about 60 cars. There are bathrooms at all Parking Areas. This Parking Area is completely paved.

    The Woodstock Dike Parking Area is about 4 miles east of the Ashokan Station Parking Area. The Boiceville Bridge Parking Area is about 5.25 miles west of the Ashokan Station Parking Area.
    the Boiceville Bridge Parking Area and Trailhead for the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the BOICEVILLE BRIDGE Parking Area and Trailhead. It is 16.5 miles from Kingston (NYS Thruway - Exit 19). It holds about 40 cars. There are bathrooms at all Parking Areas. This Parking Area and access road are dirt (in 2023). Since they are rebuilding the bridge, this information will change in 2024, or thereafter.

    The Ashokan Station Parking Area is about 5.25 miles east of the Boiceville Bridge Parking Area.
    Boiceville Bridge Parking Area Kiosk for the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the Boiceville Bridge Parking Area Kiosk. There is a Kiosk at all three Parking Areas for the Ashokan Rail Trail.

    There are printed maps at the kiosk at all three parking areas.
      Ashokan Rail Trail - Eastern Section
    most eastern point of the Ashokan Rail Trail at mile post 10
    This is the beginning of the Ashokan Rail Trail. It starts at Mile Post 10 on the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. This is the most eastern point on the Ashokan Rail Trail.
    Glenford Dike at mile post 11 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    At Mile Post 11, you will reach the Glenford Dike. It provides an excellent view to the southwest. The mountain left of center of this image is Ashokan High Point.
    the Ashokan Rail Trail moves inland after the Glenford Dike
    After the Glenford Dike, the Ashokan Rail Trail will move back inland. The trail trail is fairly straight in many areas.
    Mile Post 12 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the Ashokan Rail Trail at Mile Post 12. After this point, the number of people you see will start to thin out.
    Park benches on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    Along the Ashokan Rail Trail, you will see park benches in several places along the path for those who need a rest.
    Mile Post 13 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    Mile Post 13 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    straight section of the Ashokan Rail Trail
    The Ashokan Rail Trail has many places where the path is completely straight for as far as you can see.
    Mile Post 15 Ashokan Rail Trail
    Mile Post 15 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    Mile Post 16 Ashokan Rail Trail
    Mile Post 16 on the Ashokan Rail Trail. The Ashokan Station Parking Area and Trailhead are about 3/10 of a mile from Mile Post 16.
    Ashokan Station Trailheads on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is the Trailhead for the Ashokan Station Parking Area. There is a east and west trail that leads from the parking area to the Ashokan Rail Trail. They are about 150 feet apart.
      Ashokan Rail Trail - Western Section
    beginning of the western section of the Ashokan Rail Trail
    From the Ashokan Station Parking Area and Trailhead, the western section of the Ashokan Rail Trail runs close to some homes, so it is asked that you not make loud noises.
    Wooden bridge just west of the Ashokan Station Parking Area on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    There is a fairly large wooden bridge not far from the Ashokan Station Parking Area. Easy to go up-and-over the bridge. It can get icy when the temperatures drop below freezing at some point during the night or day. So, beware.
    the Ashokan Rail Trail passes under the Reservoir Road just before mile post 17
    Just before Mile Post 17, you will go through this tunnel. The road going over the tunnel is the Reservoir Road. This is the road that goes over the bridge that separates the upper and lower basins of the Ashokan Reservoir.
    sharp turn on the Ashokan Rail Trail after mile post 17-1/2
    Not long after Mile Post 17-1/2, the Ashokan Rail Trail will go up hill in a "S" turn, and then drop in elevation. And, when the leaves are off the trees, you can start to see parts of the Ashokan Reservoir.
    view of Ashokan High Point on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    As you get up near Mile Post 19, the Ashokan Rail Trail will run right next to the reservoir. And, you will start to get some nice views. The mountain on the left is Ashokan High Point, and the smaller mountain across the ridge is South Mountain. Both on public land.
    View of Samuels Point on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    The mountain on the left is Samuels Point, and the ridge in the back is Cross Mountain.
    Mile Post 20-1/2 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    Shortly after the views, you will come to Mile Post 20-1/2 on the Ashokan Rail Trail. On the right you will see another small water body that appears to be part of the Ashokan Reservoir, and separated by the Ashokan Rail Trail.
    Mile Post 21 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    You will now be past the Ashokan Reservoir, and you will have the Esopus Creek on your left. It is the primary source of water for the Ashokan Reservoir, and it empties into the Ashokan Reservoir.
    Mile Post 21 on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    This is Mile Post 21 and will be arriving at the large metal bridge that goes over the Esopus Creek.
    metal bridge that crosses the Esopus Creek on the Ashokan Rail Trail
    Not long after passing Mile Post 21, you will come the big metal bridge that crosses the Esopus Creek. There are nice views in both direction of the Esopus Creek.
    End of the Ashokan Rail Trail at the Boiceville bridge parking area and trailhead
    This is the end of the Ashokan Rail Trail at Mile Post 21-1/2. The parking area on the left is the Boiceville Bridge Parking Area and Trailhead. This Parking Area will change once they are done rebuilding the Boiceville Bridge. This picture was taken in 2023.
     

    Links and References:

    Ashokan Rail Trail Organization
     
    Ashokan Rail Trail Map (free)
     
    History of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad
     
    Building Plans for the Ashokan Rail Trail by Open Space Institute (OSI)
     
    USGS Topo Map of the West Kingson Quad
     
    USGS Topo Map of the Ashokan Quad
     
    USGS Topo Map of the West Shokan Quad



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