Regions of the Hudson River Valley

Upper Hudson Valley

The Upper Hudson Valley covers Greene, Columbia, Albany, and Rensselaer counties. This area is characterized by rolling hills, the Catskill Mountains, lush farms, orchards, and breathtaking river and mountain views that inspired the Hudson River School of art. Frederic Church, one of the movement’s prominent figures, built his 19th-century home, Olana, here. The Capital District showcases its historical role in state governance, Dutch colonial settlements, and contributions to the Industrial Revolution. The navigable portion of the Hudson River ends near Troy, where the Erie and Champlain Canals begin, providing access to the west and north. Beyond Troy, the Hudson River becomes narrower, flowing for 314 miles to its source at Lake Tear of the Clouds on Mt. Marcy, the highest peak in New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

Middle Hudson Valley

The Middle Hudson Valley includes Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster counties. This region is renowned for its scenic beauty, with rolling landscapes, historic estates, and the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountain ranges. The Hudson River narrows here, bordered by the dramatic Hudson Highlands. This area played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War, cementing its place in American history.

Lower Hudson Valley

The Lower Hudson Valley comprises Westchester and Rockland counties. The landscape shifts here from Manhattan’s urban skyline to the marshes and hills of the Hudson Valley. The region is home to numerous historic estates and landmarks, many built by wealthy industrialists and entrepreneurs in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1700s, much of the land was owned by the Van Cortlandt and Philips families. Today, many of these sites have been preserved for public enjoyment, largely thanks to the Rockefeller family, who also built their estate, Kykuit, in Pocantico Hills.