Plattekill offers rural charm and recreation just outside New Paltz
Plattekill is a rural Hudson Valley town brimming with farmland and forested trails, just a short drive from New Paltz. Like many nearby communities, the exodus of New York City dwellers since the 2020 pandemic has led to a new wave of homebuyers seeking out more space. "There's something for everyone of all ages throughout all the seasons," says Karina Galeano, a local real estate salesperson with Keller Williams Realty Hudson Valley North. Quiet residential streets wind through stretches of agricultural land dotted with farm stands. Surrounded by working farms, Plattekill features seasonal activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches, wineries, hiking and nearby skiing in winter. With a low CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10—below the national average of 4—Plattekill promises a relaxed environment paired with proximity to New Paltz amenities.
Varied housing styles on rural roads
Housing in Plattekill is varied, with country roads winding through farmland and residential pockets. Homes range from bi-levels, split-levels, Cape Cods and ranch-style properties in the low $300,000s to $600,000s. Larger Colonials and new construction on spacious lots fall in the $600,000 to mid $700,000 range, while historic farmhouses on significant acreage can exceed $1 million. Land for new builds spans from plots under $100,000 to parcels near $1.5 million for 20 acres. Manufactured homes range from $50,000 to just over $200,000. Like most of the Valley, meandering streams like Quassaic Creek may flood during heavy rains.
Students attend Wallkill schools with nearby college options
Students in Plattekill attend schools in the Wallkill Central School District, rated B by Niche. Local options include Plattekill Elementary School and John G Borden Middle School, which both earn B-minus grades. Rated a B-plus, Wallkill Senior High School offers Advanced Placement courses and extracurriculars such as the Panther Players Drama Club. Higher education is close by, with the State University of New York at New Paltz and Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
Plattekill has family parks and access to mountain preserves
For year-round recreation, Plattekill offers adrenaline at paintball centers and motocross tracks, but Thomas Felten Park is the heart of town for families, with a playground, pavilion, and sports fields hosting soccer and baseball leagues. A short drive west leads to Gardiner’s Majestic Park, offering a skatepark, basketball and wall ball courts, a pump track, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Milton’s Cluett Schantz Memorial Park is another favorite, with a pond for anglers and a seasonal farmers market. Nature lovers are drawn to Plattekill’s proximity to the Catskills and the region’s famous hiking trails. The Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area borders town, offering 83 acres of wooded trails on Marlboro Mountain. Less than 20 miles away, Shawagunk Mountain Ridge—also referred to as “the Gunks”—features preserves like Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Reserve and Mohonk Preserve. Minnewaska alone boasts 25 miles of hiking paths, waterfalls and lakes.
Farm markets, pizza shops and barbecue in Plattekill’s hamlets
Local businesses are tucked into Plattekill’s hamlets. The hamlet of Plattekill has a pizza shop and Dollar General, while Modena, six miles north, features Hannaford for groceries. Family farms like Wright's Farm and Market and Tantillo's Farm Market sell local produce year-round. Down the road, John Fazio Farms Barbecue & Brick Oven Pizza serves specialty pies and barbecue from a rustic barn, with a market selling hormone- and antibiotic-free products. Plattekill’s location is also a plus—just 10 miles south lies New Paltz’s vibrant Main Street, lined with yoga studios, bakeries, boutiques and popular spots like Main Street Bistro, known for classic American breakfast and lunch fare.
Seasonal events include Plattekill Day and tree lighting at the park
Fall is a highlight, with weekends spent apple picking at Hurds Family Farm, where kids can jump on a giant inflatable air pillow, race down slides, and get lost in the corn maze. Marlboro’s Weed Orchards & Winery, about 10 miles east, hosts activities like the Honeycrisp Festival, with buckets of apples, cider donuts, family fun and drinks for adults. As apple season ends, pumpkin patches take over, and Weed Orchards’ Fall Festival brings live music, scenic views and seasonal drinks. The community gathers at Thomas Felten Park for Plattekill Day each September; open fields become a lively fair with music, cornhole, pie-eating contests and local vendors. Felten Park also hosts the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, where neighbors gather each December to watch the tree light up, sing carols and enjoy a bonfire.
Bus stops, highways and airports connect Plattekill to the region
Ulster County Public Transit bus routes serve the town, with stops at the Plattekill Post Office and in Modena. Plattekill is primarily accessed by car, and major roads such as New York State Route 32 and U.S. Route 44 link residents to nearby towns like New Paltz and Gardiner. Interstate 87 provides a route 75 miles south to Manhattan and 88 miles north to Albany International Airport. New York Stewart International Airport is 13 miles away and has a limited flight schedule. The nearest hospital is Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall in Newburgh, approximately 10 miles south.
![Christina von Claparede-Crola]()
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
![Brendan Rogers]()
Photography Contributed By
Brendan Rogers
