Croton Point Park

Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River. This park offers year-round events and activities and has facilities for camping, hiking and swimming. The park is rich in natural and human history and is also the site of historic wine cellars that are thought of be the oldest in New York State and the Croton Point Nature Center, which offers a year-round schedule of interpretive programs.

Park Activities

• Boat launch - Provides access to the Hudson River and can accommodate sailboards, canoes and car-top carried boats only. Open April through October, from 8 a.m. to dusk, 7 days a week.
• Cabin Rental
• Cross country skiing - Whether you prefer challenging trails through wooded areas or acres of open space to traverse, Westchester County parks and golf courses offer an ideal setting for cross country skiing. You must provide your own equipment; no rentals are available.
  (Please note: Sledding is allowed only where noted. Sledding is not permitted at golf courses.) Conditions permitting, cross country skiing is allowed seven days a week during daylight hours at the following locations:
• Fishing - Fishing is permitted in all the streams and lakes under the control of the Westchester County Parks Department , except in the nature preserves and where "No Fishing" signs are displayed. There is also a fly fishing area available at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River. In winter, ice fishing is allowed on several lakes, conditions permitting, except in areas specifically designated for ice skaters. A New York State fishing license, which can be obtained through the Westchester County Clerk's office at 914-995-3080, is required. Information on permits and requirements for fishing in reservoirs located within Westchester can be obtained by calling the New York City Department of Environmental Protection at 914-232-1309.
• Group picnicking
• Hiking/walking
• Museum
• Nature study
• Pavilions
• Playground
• Refreshments
• Tent & RV camping - Spectacular natural settings, a wide variety of sites and affordable prices distinguish camping facilities administered by Westchester County Parks. Located approximately 1 hour north of New York City, these facilities are open to both residents and non-residents.
  Age Restrictions - Permits for using shelters, cabins, RV's and tent sites, available to adults 21 years old or over.
• Swimming beach Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only
• Nature Center & Discovery Trail - The Croton Point Nature Center and Discovery Trail are located in the 504-acre Croton Point Park, which is situated on the largest peninsula of the Hudson River in Croton-on-Hudson. The nature center offers a year-round schedule of interpretive programs, presentations and exhibits intended to help visitors better understand the natural world, as well as to enhance their knowledge of the area and its history. The scenic discovery trail winds its way through the park, enabling visitors to explore the point's many plant and wildlife species, including painted turtles and a variety of frogs, as well as its unique historical features.
• The Croton Point Nature Center - Located on the northwest tip of the park, displays exhibits about the Hudson River, local history, flora and fauna, and archeology. The center hosts weekly programs, including nature walks, presentation on area history, and arts and crafts workshops. Nature interpretive programs can be arranged by appointment for school, scout and other organized groups. The center is also the headquarters for the Material Archives and Laboratory for Archaeology (MALFA).

Points of Interest

• Treaty Oak Monument - Just south of the family camping grounds and recreational vehicle sites is a monument that marks a peace treaty signed in 1645 between the Dutch and the Kitchiwank Indians, who were the point's first residents. The treaty was signed under a large white oak tree. Lightning destroyed the tree, but a similar species of white oak planted to the left of the monument endures.
• Meadow - One of the most magnificent vistas of the Hudson River can be seen from atop a hill created when a landfill in the park was permanently capped in 1995, and reclaimed as a passive recreation area. This 113-acre meadow is excellent for bird and butterfly watching, as well as strolling. Birds, such a bobolinks, meadowlarks, kestrels, northern harriers and bald eagles can be viewed from this spot at various times of the year.
• Brickyard Excavation - Clay deposits were discovered in the area west of the present-day tent sites and excavated as part of the Underhill brick-making operations in the 1830's. Traces of the brick can be found throughout the point today. The excavation of clay resulted in the creation of rolling terrain, wetlands and ponds. The forest in the area consists of black locust, cottonwood, oak, and red maple. Birds common to the area include the robin, crow, catbird and yellow warbler. Mammals include raccoon, muskrat and occasionally deer. This is the largest continuous wooded section of the park.
• Teller's Point and English Yews - The southern tip of Croton Point was named after the Teller family, who began a trading post here in the mid-1600's. Teller's Point is excellent for vistas of the Yonkers skyline and the Tappan Zee Bridge far to the south and the Tarrytown Lighthouse on the far southeastern side of the Hudson. Across the river and to the southwest, one can view Hook Mountain, which is part of Palisades Interstate Park. The mountain is regarded as one of the best hawk watching areas along the East Coast, and Teller's Point itself is visited by osprey, Red-tailed and Cooper
• Croton Bay - Situated on the south side of the park Croton Bay and its surrounding tidal marshes are ecologically important areas for wildlife. The marsh areas provide an ideal habitat for several species of invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals. Raccoons, opossum, and muskrat frequent the shoreline foraging for food. Water birds, such as great blue herons, cormorants and a variety of waterfowl also make the marsh their home, depending on the season. The salinity in the bay water and the abundance of marshes make it an ideal habitat for striped bass, perch, American eels and blue claw crabs. The bay, of course, is part of the Hudson River, a great waterway with many commercial and recreational uses. At low tide, one can comb the rocky shoreline and find driftwood of many sizes, smoothed and shaped by the river.
• The Wine Cellars - Dr. Underhill owned and operated a successful winery at the point during the mid-19th century. Although the vineyards and the winery are long gone the historic old vaults that served as wine cellars remain in the park today. The cellars are thought to be the oldest in New York State and possible the oldest in the United States. A total of 30,000 gallons of wine and 2,000 gallons of vinegar were stored in these underground vaults. Wine cellar tours are offered periodically throughout the year.
• Conifer Forest - Formerly the site of the orchards and vineyards planted by Dr. Underhill, this 15-acre forest is located near the park's campsites. The forest comprises white pine once used for ship masts and considered highly valuable during the Revolutionary War era. The forest also has a mixing of Scotch pine and Norway spruce, which were planted in the 1930's by the Works Project Administration for conservation projects. Great horned owls are commonly found in the conifer stands and the occasional hawk is also know to pay a visit to the forest.

Visiting Croton Point Park

Open daily dawn to dusk.