Ulster County

Ulster County is an administrative division in New York State that covers parts of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The area includes rural communities, river valleys, and forested uplands with numerous small towns and natural reserves.

The Lenape inhabited the area long before Dutch traders founded the settlement of Esopus in the 17th century. The county was formally established in 1683 and grew into an agricultural and trading center along the Hudson.

The name comes from the Irish county of Ulster, recalling the European roots of early settlers in the Hudson Valley. Farmers' markets, regional wineries, and small galleries now shape daily life in the towns along the river.

Visitors exploring the region often use the Thruway or local bus services that link Kingston, New Paltz, and Woodstock. Most towns are easy to walk around, while a car becomes helpful for excursions into the mountains.

Sections of the Catskill Mountains run through the area and offer trails that change noticeably with each season. Minnewaska State Park is also located here, drawing visitors who want to explore the lakes and cliffs on weekends.

Location: New York

Inception: 1683

Capital city: Kingston

Shares border with: Greene County, Columbia County, Orange County, Dutchess County, Sullivan County, Delaware County

Website: http://co.ulster.ny.us

GPS coordinates: 41.89000,-74.26000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:04