The Dutchess Rail Trail will be our 12 mile multi-use linear county “park” that will run through the middle of the County along the former Maybrook Rail corridor including the towns of Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Wappinger and East Fishkill.

Our Dutchess Rail Trail has captured the interest and the anticipation of residents from all across Dutchess County and beyond.   Hundreds of residents came out to participate in the various informational meetings we hosted throughout the communities along the trail where they shared their ideas and thoughts about the creation and design.

The development of our Dutchess Rail Trail has already produced award winning results!   In 2008, the readers of Hudson Valley Magazine named Phase I of the Dutchess Rail Trail as the “Best New Hiking Trail” in the Hudson Valley.

Two sections of the Dutchess Rail Trail are open for residents to enjoy. The first is 8 miles starting at Hopewell Depot and ending at Old Manchester Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Phase II is a 2.4 mile section that stretches from Morgan Lake to Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. We look forward to the construction and completion of the final phase of the Dutchess Rail Trail.

Due to the complex engineering and environmental challenges of the Dutchess Rail Trail, we are constructing the project in multiple phases.

Phase I of the Dutchess Rail Trail, which was opened in 2007, is located in East Fishkill and extends between Route 376 and Lake Walton Road.

Phase II is a 2.4 mile section of the Dutchess Rail Trail that stretches from Morgan Lake south to Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie.    Phase II opened in July 2009.

Phase III of the Dutchess Rail Trail is now open through LaGrange and Wappinger connecting the East Fishkill Phase I section all the way to Hopewell Junction at Route 82.

For the project construction schedule for the remaining sections, click HERE.

Building the Dutchess Rail Trail has one of our top priorities and we look forward to its final completion.  So come on out and enjoy our beautiful outdoors with stroll or bike ride with family and friends along the completed phases of the Dutchess Rail Trail

Rail Trails Can Build Healthier Lifestyle (.pdf) - from Aug. 14, 2011 Healthy Living Section of the Poughkeepsie Journal