Scenic hamlets and historic roots define Esopus’s character
Esopus, a New York town located along the Hudson River and surrounded by forested preserves, is known for its scenic beauty and tranquil lifestyle. Its roots trace back to the 1700s, having been home to notable figures like naturalist John Burroughs and abolitionist Sojourner Truth. A statue of Sojourner Truth now stands at the crossroads of Port Ewen’s main thoroughfare, marking the town’s historic significance. Positioned between Kingston and New Paltz, Esopus is made up of small hamlets offering a laid-back vibe. “It’s the scenery that draws people in,” says Isabel Alves, Realtor with Re/Max Town & Country. The town combines its picturesque views and relaxed atmosphere with an understated wealth—upscale restaurants and wineries hint at its affluent community. “People aren’t presumptuous,” notes Deborah Medenbach of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Nutshell Realty. Waterfront properties in Esopus, West Park and Ulster Park tend to be pricey, while more modest and historic homes are found throughout other hamlets along Route 9W.
Home styles range from historic estates to wooded retreats
Homes in Esopus range from secluded properties on wooded lots to historic Victorians and colonials in the heart of its hamlets, as well as mid-20th century split-levels and ranches along country roads. Prices vary from $150,000 cottages to multimillion-dollar estates, depending on land size and updates. Contemporary homes with expansive windows are tucked away, priced from $600,000 up to $1 million. Custom-built houses, coveted riverfront properties and rural mountain estates with stunning river views can sell for several million, with some exceeding $5 million. Historic estates, including 18th-century stone cabins and farmhouses, are also available at multimillion-dollar prices. Land for building a home is available from $50,000 to over $200,000.
Preserves and parks offer hiking, fishing and river views
Esopus spans nearly 5,000 acres of protected land, hugging the western bank of the Hudson and tucked into the Marlboro Mountains. Nature preserves like John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary, Black Creek State Forest and Black Creek Preserve offer scenic and secluded retreats. Shaupeneak Ridge features rugged terrain, river views, hiking trails, ponds and waterfalls. Ulster Park’s Esopus Meadows Preserve covers 96 acres along the river, with views of an 1871 lighthouse. Smaller parks, such as Joseph H. Clark Recreational Park, provide playgrounds and open fields, while Cas Landi Park in St. Remy offers soccer fields, a pavilion and a playground. Sturgeon Pool, a large lake west of Esopus, is popular for fishing and kayaking.
Small businesses and dining spots line Route 9W in Esopus
Route 9W features small businesses and local attractions. “Esopus has a brewery, a distillery and a winery,” Alves says, “so there are a lot of things to do that draw in visitors.” Hudson House and Distillery, set on an Italian villa-inspired estate in West Park, is known for its deck overlooking the river and locally sourced American fare, including Sunday family-style Italian dinners. The distillery offers tours and tastings of craft bourbon, vodka, and gin, and also serves as an event venue. Across the street, RMV Cellars brings together local talent from Red Maple Vineyard and Great Life Brewing, with food prepared by Culinary Institute of America graduates. Other dining options include End Cut, an upscale steakhouse, and casual pizza spots. Esopus provides essentials at Dollar General and Country Store, while Ulster Park has a single gas station. Larger stores and supermarkets are in Kingston or Poughkeepsie.
Local students attend schools in Kingston, Highland and New Paltz
Three school districts serve Esopus: Highland Central, New Paltz Central and Kingston City School District. The Kingston City School District, which serves many local hamlets, earns a B grade from Niche. Robert R. Graves Elementary receives a B-plus, J. Watson Bailey Middle School a B-minus and Kingston High School an A-minus. High schoolers may participate in activities such as alpine skiing and garden club.
Community events celebrate Esopus’s history and harvests
Each fall, crowds flock to the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions, a local tradition for over 30 years. Esopus’s community spirit also shines through seasonal farmers markets and the Klyne Esopus Strawberry Festival, the town’s main summer event. Held every June, the festival features live music, historical presentations, games, food, and strawberry-themed desserts. The Klyne Esopus Museum, once the Low Dutch Church, is now a National Historic Landmark, with exhibits exploring the area’s history.
Driving is essential, with limited public transit options nearby
Esopus is car-dependent, with Route 9W serving as the main artery to Kingston, just 9 miles north. Port Ewen has the nearest bus route to Kingston’s metro area, while New York City is a 90-mile drive via Interstate 87. Metro-North trains from Poughkeepsie reach Manhattan in about two hours, and Rhinecliff’s Amtrak station is 20 miles northeast. Trailways buses connect through New Paltz and Rosendale. Residents are close to both Poughkeepsie’s Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital and Kingston’s HealthAlliance Hospital. New York Stewart Airport, roughly 30 miles away, offers limited flights.
Monasteries and Retreat Centers
The Hudson Valley’s natural beauty and privacy have made it a hub for religious monasteries, summer camps, retreat centers and communes—including multiple Brudehof communities, a Christian movement founded in Germany in the mid-1900s.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
James Leynse
