Kaaterskill Rail Trail - Haines Falls, NY
Kaaterskill Rail Trail Dog-Friendly Guide
If you’re looking for a scenic and accessible dog park in Haines Falls, New York, the Kaaterskill Rail Trail offers a great pet-friendly experience. The well-maintained trail features a gentle grade and generous shade, making it a top pick for comfortable dog-friendly hiking. Perfect for visitors of all ages, the trail showcases the natural beauty of the Catskills without the need for strenuous climbs.
The Kaaterskill Rail Trail connects you and your pup to stunning views, towering waterfalls, and historic points of interest like the old train station. While not a traditional fenced dog park, this pet-friendly trail is ideal for leashed walks and enjoying nature side-by-side. Visitors should prepare for busy weekends, especially during peak seasons, and note that parking is available for a fee at the large lot near the trailhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there restrooms available for owners? There are outhouses available at the trailhead.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? The trail is described as having a gentle grade and is easy to navigate, making it accessible for those with mobility needs.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the trail is generously shaded, offering a cool walk even on warm days.
- Is there parking available? Yes, there is a large parking lot at the trailhead; parking is $20 per car.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the rail trail connects to waterfall hiking routes, offering a total round trip of 5.2 miles if you do all three falls levels.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park can get busy, especially on weekends, and you may have to walk slowly due to the number of people.
Reviews
The Kaaterskill Rail Trail is a fantastic experience and a true hidden gem for anyone seeking natural beauty without a strenuous climb. Its most remarkable feature is its incredible accessibility. With a gentle grade and a well-maintained path, it’s super easy to navigate, making it the perfect destination for elderly family members or anyone who has difficulty with challenging hikes. It ensures that everyone can enjoy the beautiful Catskills environment.
The entire journey is comfortable and rewarding. The trail is generously shaded, which provides a cool, relaxing walk even on warmer days. Despite the effortless walk, you are constantly treated to great views of the surrounding woods and mountains. Combining natural beauty, comfort, and accessibility, the Kaaterskill Rail Trail is a definite five-star experience!
The Kaaterskill Rail Trail is a fantastic experience and a true hidden gem for anyone seeking natural beauty without a strenuous climb. Its most remarkable feature is its incredible accessibility. With a gentle grade and a well-maintained path, it’s super easy to navigate, making it the perfect destination for elderly family members or anyone who has difficulty with challenging hikes. It ensures that everyone can enjoy the beautiful Catskills environment.
The entire journey is comfortable and rewarding. The trail is generously shaded, which provides a cool, relaxing walk even on warmer days. Despite the effortless walk, you are constantly treated to great views of the surrounding woods and mountains. Combining natural beauty, comfort, and accessibility, the Kaaterskill Rail Trail is a definite five-star experience!
Parking is hard to come by around the falls. The historical society will charge you NULL per car to park in their large lot at this trailhead. There’s also the original train station here that is open for visitors to explore. First 1.5 miles is the rail trail, which takes you to the trail for the falls. Total round trip if you do all three levels of the falls and back is 5.2 miles and took us 2.5 hours with multiple stops to take in the beautiful views. Wear tennis or hiking shoes; flip flops or slip ons will not cut it if you want to hike all the way to the bottom of the falls. Bottom 1/3 of falls hike is very steep steps with many loose stones. Outhouses only and bring your own water.
Parking is hard to come by around the falls. The historical society will charge you NULL per car to park in their large lot at this trailhead. There’s also the original train station here that is open for visitors to explore. First 1.5 miles is the rail trail, which takes you to the trail for the falls. Total round trip if you do all three levels of the falls and back is 5.2 miles and took us 2.5 hours with multiple stops to take in the beautiful views. Wear tennis or hiking shoes; flip flops or slip ons will not cut it if you want to hike all the way to the bottom of the falls. Bottom 1/3 of falls hike is very steep steps with many loose stones. Outhouses only and bring your own water.
Parking is hard to come by around the falls. The historical society will charge you NULL per car to park in their large lot at this trailhead. There’s also the original train station here that is open for visitors to explore. First 1.5 miles is the rail trail, which takes you to the trail for the falls. Total round trip if you do all three levels of the falls and back is 5.2 miles and took us 2.5 hours with multiple stops to take in the beautiful views. Wear tennis or hiking shoes; flip flops or slip ons will not cut it if you want to hike all the way to the bottom of the falls. Bottom 1/3 of falls hike is very steep steps with many loose stones. Outhouses only and bring your own water.
Not a super big fan of paved easy walking trails, but we went this route to try and get to the falls. Didn’t realize there was a parking lot called the Laurel House Trail Head that actually is way closer. Those trails were much cooler. This one is boring as far as hiking goes.
Not a super big fan of paved easy walking trails, but we went this route to try and get to the falls. Didn’t realize there was a parking lot called the Laurel House Trail Head that actually is way closer. Those trails were much cooler. This one is boring as far as hiking goes.
Not a super big fan of paved easy walking trails, but we went this route to try and get to the falls. Didn’t realize there was a parking lot called the Laurel House Trail Head that actually is way closer. Those trails were much cooler. This one is boring as far as hiking goes.
Amazing!!! We enjoyed this waterfall from the Platform, from the top above the falls and we hiked down and stood behind the waterfall it was amazing!
Amazing!!! We enjoyed this waterfall from the Platform, from the top above the falls and we hiked down and stood behind the waterfall it was amazing!