We welcome you to the historic Saugerties Lighthouse and surrounding nature preserve on the Hudson River.
PLEASE CHECK BOTH VISITING HOURS + TIDE LEVELS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE.
Visiting Hours
Nature Trail
Open DAILY year-round
Sunrise to sunset
The Ruth Reynolds Glunt Nature Preserve protects habitat at the confluence of Esopus Creek and Hudson River.
A unique access trail for the Hudson River, this peninsula includes vital freshwater tidal wetlands in the Esopus Estuary.
IMPORTANT: Visitors MUST be aware of weather conditions and consult the tide table when planning your visit to avoid tidal flooding. Trail may be closed without notice for maintenance or storm damage.
Riverside Deck
Open WEEKDAYS year-round
Mon – Wed, 9 am – sunset;
Thu– Fri, 9 am – 4 pm
The island picnic area adjacent to the lighthouse offers seating for limited day-use.
PLEASE NOTE: This space is closed weekends (Saturday and Sunday) to alleviate congestion in our small parking lot. Please enjoy this space during the week (Monday through Friday).
No large groups or special events without permission.
Tours & Talks
Summer Sundays
12 pm – 3 pm
Docent-led tours or talks are provided in the summer season on Sunday afternoons, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Tours are led every half hour; last tour starts at 2:30 pm. Tours include views of interior rooms and option of climbing the tower. $10 per adult; $5 per child.
PLEASE NOTE: A history talk on the deck will be offered when the interior is not available for tours due to preemptive scheduling.
Location
168 Lighthouse Drive
Saugerties, NY 12477
The Saugerties Lighthouse is located in the middle of the Hudson River at the convergence of the Esopus Creek, in Ulster County's Village of Saugerties. The site is accessible year-round via a half-mile trail through a nature preserve. Please respect visiting hours, and carry out what you carry in: there are no trash bins on the grounds. Be sure to check the tide and current weather conditions before you arrive.
Directions
By Car
Saugerties is only 100 miles from Manhattan and 42 miles from Albany along the NY State Thruway.
Address: 168 Lighthouse Drive, Saugerties, NY 12477
Map Coordinates: Lat. 42.072122, Long. -73.929985
Northbound on NYS Thruway/I-87
Take NYS Thruway/I-87 N
Take the RT-32 exit- Exit 20- toward Saugerties.
Turn right onto NY-212/NY-32, which becomes Ulster Ave.
Continue on Ulster Ave. go 1.0 mile
Bear right at Market St. go 1 block
Turn left at Main St. go 1 block
Stay Straight to go onto US-9W/ Main St. go 0.4 miles
Where 9W curves to the left, turn RIGHT onto Mynderse. go 0.3 miles
Turn slight left onto Lighthouse Dr. go 0.4 miles
Turn right into the lighthouse parking lot after the US Coast Guard station.
Follow the lighthouse trail. go 0.5 miles
Southbound on NYS Thruway/I-87
Take NYS Trwy/I-87 S
Take the RT-32 exit- Exit 20- toward Saugerties/Woodstock.
Turn left onto NY-32.
Turn left onto onto NY-212/NY-32, which becomes Ulster Ave.
Continue on Ulster Ave. go 1.0 mile
Bear right at Market St. go 1 block
Turn left at Main St. go 1 block
Stay straight to go onto US-9W/Main St. go 0.4 miles
Where 9W curves to the left, turn right onto Mynderse St. go 0.3 miles
Turn slight left onto Lighthouse Dr. go 0.4 miles
Turn right into the lighthouse parking lot after the US Coast Guard station.
Follow the lighthouse trail. go 0.5 miles
From the Kingston/Rhinecliff Bridge
Take NY-199 W across the Kingston/Rhinecliff bridge.
Take the RT-32 ramp to Saugerties/Kingston – go 0.2 mi
Turn right at RT-32 – go 5.4 mi
Bear right at US-9W – go 2.0 miles
Immediately after the bridge over Esopus Creek in the village of Saugerties, 9W turns right and climbs a hill.
Before the top of hill, turn right at Post St – go 0.5 mi
Continue on Lighthouse Dr – go 0.5 mi
By Train
Amtrak
Amtrak makes station stops in nearby towns of Rhinecliff and Hudson, approximately 20 minutes away by car. A taxi ride can complete the final leg of the journey to the Lighthouse. Call the Lighthouse for information on local taxi service.
By Bus
Adirondack Trailways
Trailways serves Saugerties and nearby Kingston. A taxi ride can complete the final leg of the journey to the Lighthouse. Call the Lighthouse for information on local taxi service.
By Boat
Limited Access
Seasonally, the Lighthouse has a 40-ft. floating dock which rises and falls with the tide. Space is limited, so please make arrangements with the Keeper in advance to accommodate your vessel. The stationary dock can be used if you are careful with dock lines and allow for the rise and fall of the tide, which can be up to five feet from high to low. Large fenders are necessary since the docks are vulnerable to wakes from the main river channel.
Canoes and kayaks can land along the shoreline near the lighthouse. The nearest public canoe/kayak launch is located at Tina Chorvas Park in Saugerties on the lower Esopus Creek below Cantine Dam at the end of East Bridge Street.
Boats hauled by trailer may be launched at Saugerties Marina on Ferry Street, which charges a fee for launching and parking. The marina also offers kayak, SUP, and powerboat rentals and charters.
Day Visits
Visitors can hike the half-mile nature trail, open sunrise to sunset. Parts of the trail experience tidal flooding on a twice-daily basis, so come prepared or plan accordingly. Consult the tide table for more details. The trail traverses 15 acres of freshwater tidal wetland habitat in a remote, undeveloped area of the Esopus Estuary, among stands of willow and maple trees, along tidal pools, and through patches of wildflowers, eventually opening onto the middle of the majestic Hudson River at the lighthouse. In winter, you may encounter ice or snow on the trail, so wear appropriate footwear. Icy walkways in winter; ice traction devices highly recommended.
Leave No Trace
Please help us keep the area beautiful and safe.
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE. Check forecasts before you depart. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
STAY ON TRAILS. Do not trample vegetation or disturb habitat.
CARRY OUT WHAT YOU CARRRY IN. Do not litter.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND. Do not pick flowers. No graffiti or carving. Leave natural objects and artifacts.
RESPECT WILDLIFE. Do not touch, harass, or feed wildlife.
BE CONSIDERATE. No large groups or tour buses. Please respect the privacy of the resident Lighthouse Keeper and overnight guests.
Standard Use
Use of this area is at your own risk.
A person entering the premises assumes the risks of use pursuant to New York Consolidated Laws, General Obligations Law GOB § 9-103 (Recreational Use Statute).
Limited Hours
Public use may be restricted or closed for special events, repairs, or other reasons without prior notice.
Permitted Activities
This area is reserved for hiking and fishing. All other activities are prohibited or require permission.
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on leash. Pick up and remove all dog waste.
Restroom Facilities
Outdoor portable toilets are available for public use at the trailhead and lighthouse dock.
Special Use
Commercial Activity
Prior written permission is required for any commercial activity on the premises, including but not limited to photo shoots, filming, tours or charters. For details, please email the Lighthouse or call 845-247-0656.
Groups and Events
Prior arrangements required for special events, large groups (in excess of eight), or exclusive use of the deck area.