Rockwood Hall at Sleepy Hollow
This loop hike follows carriage roads around this park, formerly the home of William Rockefeller, with gentle grades and panoramic views over the Hudson River.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve map
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 9 (on the east side of the Tappan Zee Bridge). Turn right at the top of the ramp onto US 9 (South Broadway), and continue north on US 9 through the Village of Tarrytown. After 1.7 miles, you’ll come to a complex intersection where you should bear left to continue on US 9. In another 1.8 miles (3.5 miles from the Thruway exit), immediately after crossing under NY 117, turn right at a sign for “Rockwood Road,” and follow the ramp onto NY 117. After reaching a stop sign, continue ahead through an intersection, following the sign to “Kendal on Hudson,” pass an exit from a parking area on the left, then turn left at the entrance to the parking area.
Rockwood Hall is the site of the former summer home of William Rockefeller (1841-1922), brother of John D. Rockefeller. In 1886, he purchased Rockwood, a 200-acre estate, and built Rockwood Hall, a mansion with 204 rooms. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the landscape, which includes many ornamental trees. Following Rockefeller’s death in 1922, the estate was converted into a country club, which soon went bankrupt. In 1937, the property was acquired by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., William’s nephew, who arranged for the mansion to be razed in 1941-42.
