Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Rip Van Winkle Bridge is a cantilever crossing between Hudson and Catskill that spans the Hudson River with a main section of around 800 feet (244 meters) and two side sections of roughly 470 feet (143 meters) each. The clearance for vessels below reaches approximately 145 feet (44 meters), while the entire structure runs about 5,040 feet (1,536 meters) in length.

The New York State Bridge Authority built this crossing in 1935 as a major project during the Great Depression. Construction cost around 2.4 million dollars, reflecting the era's workforce conditions and public infrastructure policy.

This crossing links two sites tied to Hudson River School painters Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, whose former homes now sit within reach of this route. Today, walkers and cyclists use the footpath to see the river views these artists once captured on canvas.

The route carries NY Route 23 across the river, with electronic tolling for eastbound traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists find a separate walkway on the south side, open during daylight hours and allowing passage on foot or by walking a bicycle.

On sunny days, the steel framework casts shifting shadow patterns across the water surface that stand out especially in the morning and late afternoon. The name comes from a short story by Washington Irving set in this region, describing a man who slept for decades.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.22360,-73.85040

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29