Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park

Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park, also known as Mills Memorial State Park, is a 750-acre (3.0 km2) state park located in Staatsburg in Dutchess County, New York. It is off U.S. Route 9, between Rhinebeck to the north and Hyde Park to the south, at an elevation of 39 feet (12 m) above sea level.

The park is bounded by the Hudson River on the west. It is part of the 988-acre (4.00 km2) area known as Mills-Norrie State Park, which comprises Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park and Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park. The park's central feature is Staatsburgh State Historic Site, a Beaux-Arts mansion designed by McKim, Mead, and White.

Built between 1895 and 1896, the Gilded Age mansion features 65 rooms, 14 bathrooms, and 23 fireplaces. The furnished house is open for tours, programs and special events. Other park features include trails, cabins, tent sites, RV sites, fishing opportunities, picnic area, recreation programs, restaurant, cross-country skiing and sledding.

Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a State Park in New York, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	State Park
State	New York
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.