Franny Reese State Park, State park in Highland, Ulster County, US
Franny Reese State Park is a state park covering about 250 acres along forested bluffs overlooking the Hudson River. The landscape is crisscrossed with roughly 7 kilometers of trails that offer views of the river and the Mid-Hudson Bridge.
The land was once the Cedar Glen estate, built by dental pioneer Charles Roberts in the mid-1800s. It was later protected and opened to the public as a state park in the early 2000s.
The park is named after Frances Reese, an environmental advocate who dedicated herself to protecting natural lands throughout the Hudson Valley. You can sense her legacy in how the woodlands are cared for and the trails are maintained today.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round, offering trails suitable for different experience levels. In winter, the hiking routes become cross-country skiing paths, making outdoor activities possible throughout the year.
As you walk along former carriage roads through the forest, you discover the crumbling ruins of a 19th-century mansion hidden among the trees. These remnants of the past create an unexpected connection to the estate's history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
