More than two miles of trails with panoramic views of the Hudson River and Champlain Canal at Hudson Crossing Park offer a look at two of the region’s defining waterways. Washington County lies between Vermont’s Green Mountains to the east and Saratoga and Glens Falls to the west. Discoveries range from river landscapes and nature trails to places commemorating American history and agricultural traditions.
River Trails and Canals
At Hudson Crossing Park, trails offer panoramic views of the Hudson River and Champlain Canal. A floating dock and a kayak launch also invite you to take in the water. The park’s Riverwalk Sensory Trail is accessible to people with special needs. The historic Dix Bridge is also part of the story of this stretch of the river: Hudson Crossing restored and reopened it, reestablishing an important connection across the Hudson River between Washington County and Saratoga County.
The Champlain Canal connects the Hudson River with Lake Champlain. From Washington County, it provides a water route to the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, the St. Lawrence River, the Ohio Rivers and the East Coast Inland Waterway. The Champlain Canalway Trail offers a different perspective: this 62-mile multi-use trail runs from Waterford to Whitehall and is suitable for hiking and biking. Here, water routes and trails on land meet, each offering a different view of the landscape.
The history of the waterways is also on display. From the early 19th century until 1928, canal boats on the Glens Falls Feeder Canal carried people and goods. Today, the feeder canal and its towpath offer recreation and a glimpse into the past. For rail travel, Amtrak stations are located in Fort Edward and Whitehall.
Nature and Trails at Carters Pond
The Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area is a 446.5-acre wildlife management area in the Town of Greenwich in Washington County. Its Nature Trail is one mile long, and half of its loop is fully accessible. When planning your route, consider these two details separately: the length refers to the entire trail, while full accessibility applies to half of the loop.
Fishing at Carters Pond is a popular family activity in both summer and winter. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation boat launch is provided for hand-launched boats; only electric motors are permitted on the water. There are ten parking spaces for cars. Conditions at the boat launch may change, so check before your visit.
History at Specific Places
The Rogers Island Visitors Center features exhibits and a calendar of special events. The center and its indoor exhibits are fully accessible. Remains of a British smallpox hospital were found on Rogers Island; it is described as the first ever excavated in the United States. If you are planning a visit, check current visitor information and event dates.
Several sites offer a glimpse into the American Revolution. Fort Ann lay along a historic route linking French and English colonies in North America and was an important outpost before and during the Revolutionary War. The monument on Battle Hill commemorates the Battle of Fort Anne on July 8, 1777, and its role in delaying the British advance toward Saratoga. The History Trail invites visitors to explore historic routes and sites, from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond.
The Old Fort House is the oldest wooden building in Washington County. It was completed around 1772 and built with lumber salvaged from the ruins of Fort Edward, a fortification from the French and Indian War. Together with the commemorative sites around Fort Ann, the house offers a different way into the past: one through a preserved building and its construction materials, the other through a battlefield and monument.
Harvest Season and Regional Traditions
On the Apple & Berry Trail, you can pick berries, cherries and apples from early summer through late fall. Harvest times vary with the weather, so the seasonal guidance is a helpful reference, not a fixed date for each fruit. The Washington County Fair takes place every year, preserving agricultural traditions in the region and surrounding communities for more than a century. The event features live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, fair food and rides; check dates before your trip.
If you are looking for a hotel, you can make your choice based on the experiences you want to shape your trip: river trails and canals, nature at Carters Pond, or historic sites and regional agriculture. This lets you start planning with the discoveries that interest you, without assuming a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Fort Edward, Argyle, Eagle Bridge, Whitehall, Fort Ann, Lewis, Chenango County, Steuben.
For the broader travel guide: New York.
