Margaret Lewis Norrie State ParkAbout Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park is a New York State park on the east shore of the Hudson River in Dutchess County, named for Margaret Lewis Norrie. The park is managed as part of the state parks system and provides day-use recreation along the river.
Amenities typically include hiking trails, picnic areas and river access for small craft, with connections into adjacent conserved lands that form a larger green corridor along this stretch of the Hudson.
The park was formed from estate lands and has been operated by New York State Parks to provide public access to the Hudson River and associated natural areas.
It is located in the Staatsburg area of Dutchess County on the Hudson’s east bank, north of Poughkeepsie and accessible from regional highways running along the river.
- Hudson River access: Located on the east bank of the Hudson River, the park is commonly visited for waterfront views, hiking and picnicking as part of the larger state park network in Dutchess County.
Nearby Attractions to Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
Best Time to Visit Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
Late spring through early fall (especially June-August) is best for warm weather and full use of the park's outdoor amenities.
Weather & Climate near Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1075 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -9° - 1° | -8° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -8° - 3° | -7° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 8° | -1° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 92 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 109 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 26° | 20° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 29° | 23° | 104 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 16° - 28° | 22° | 94 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 93 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 17° | 11° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 0° - 11° | 3° | 91 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -5° - 4° | -4° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
By car: Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park is on the east bank of the Hudson River near Staatsburg/Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, New York. It is located directly off US‑9; driving from Poughkeepsie is about 12-20 miles (roughly 20 minutes), and from New York City the drive is commonly about two hours depending on traffic.
By rail + car: the nearest major rail hub is Poughkeepsie (served by Amtrak and Metro‑North). From Poughkeepsie station it’s a short drive north to the park (about 15-20 minutes).
Tips for Visiting Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park
- Use the park entrance on Route 9G near Staatsburg to access the main picnic areas, riverfront and trailheads-this is the most direct approach from the Hudson Valley towns.
- Plan a late‑afternoon visit for Hudson River views and sunsets from the shoreline; the park's riverfront sections are the best spot for evening light and raptor migrations.
- Link your visit with nearby Staatsburgh State Historic Site and neighboring Mills‑Norrie trails-walking the connector trails gives a broader sense of the Hudson River landscape that many day visitors miss.