Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. How do I get to the Aqueduct trail - - by car, or public transit?
A. Please see the section on How to Reach the Aqueduct.

Q. Where can I park?
A. In many of the lower Westchester communities, parking is available on Route 9 (Broadway) which is often a short walk from the trail. Street and lot parking is also available in village public parking lots or at MetroNorth stations (MetroNorth parking lots at Hastings on Hudson, Ardsley on Hudson, Irvington, Tarrytown and Scarborough are free on weekends & holidays).

Always be mindful of parking restrictions (read the signs!)

Q. Where can I obtain maps of the trail?
A. We have free maps and beautiful, very detailed color maps of the trail which are for sale. You can purchase a map on this web site. You can purchase maps at these retail locations:

If you need a map on short notice, these retail locations generally carry them. We strongly advise calling ahead to check on hours and make sure they have copies.

NEW YORK CITY:

Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace (Washington Heights), tel. 212-923-8008; www.morrisjumel.org

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY:

Affordables, 10 Main St. Dobbs Ferry 914-693-3610 https://www.affordablechild.com/

Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave.,Yonkers, 914-963-4550 https://www.hrm.org/

L.L. Bean, 1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers, 888-490-3836 https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/509116?

Cornelia Cotton Gallery and Old Book Room, 111 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson. Calling ahead (914-271-6802) is always recommended but best to inquire using email form provided on website.  https://www.crotonantiques.com/

The Art Barn, 325 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, 914-762-4997, email: artbarn211@aol.com.

Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, 95 Broadway, Ossining, tel. 914-941-3189. The Ossining Heritage Area Visitor Center is located within the Community Center

Galapagos Books, 22 Main St., Hastings-on-Hudson, tel. 914-478-2501, email: galapagos-books@hotmail.com.

Hastings Velo, 45 Main St., Hastings-on-Hudson, tel. 914-478-2453. https://www.hastingsvelo.com/

NEW JERSEY:

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 600 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, tel. 201-512-9348. https://www.nynjtc.org/

Q. Suggested routes for hiking or biking
A. Suggested routes are Glenwood or Greystone to Hastings, Dobbs Ferry or Irvington; or from Irvington to Tarrytown; from Scarborough to the Croton Dam.

Q. Is there a fee to use the trail?
A. There are no fees to use the trail.

Q. Are bicycles allowed?
A. Yes, but the terrain can be a little rocky or rough and is better suited to hybrid or mountain bikes. Please ride courteously. Use caution when passing walkers, joggers, someone with a baby stroller and of course, dog walkers. Use bell or announce your presence when passing from behind.

Q. Are ATVs, snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles allowed?
A. No. No motorized vehicles of ANY kind (motorised ATVs, snowmobiles, scooters, automobiles/trucks, segways, etc) are allowed on the trail.

Q. Are dogs allowed on the trail?
A. Yes, but they must be leashed. Please see our Doggy Dos and Donts for cues on proper dog etiquette.

Q. Can I ride a horse on the Aqueduct trail?
A. Yes, but only on the section within Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Otherwise, horses are not allowed on the trail. Please see the Rockefeller State Park website for details.

Q.Can I camp on or along the Aqueduct trail?
A. No camping is allowed on or along the trail.

Q. What is the terrain of the Aqueduct trail?
A. The terrain varies.. in many areas the trail is a level dirt path, with some hills (particularly in Ossining north of the Ossining weir). The trail is paved in sections that cross streets or parking lots. The trail crosses many streets so users must be mindful of cars at intersections where the trail crosses a street.

Q. Where can I find bathrooms?
A. The Keeper's House in Dobbs Ferry has public bathrooms, and is open Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm-4pm. Bathrooms are found in village centers in public buildings (library, municipal building) during business hours. Also, some restaurants will let the public use their facilities upon request.

Q. Where can I get something to eat or drink along the trail?
A. As the trail crosses a number of villages, eating establishments (delicatessens, cafes & bars, restaurants, grocery stores) abound. Hastings on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown and Ossining have plenty of eating options. There are grocery stores in Hastings on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry and Tarrytown, just a short walk from the trail. The trail office (in Dobbs Ferry) does NOT have food.
Picnicking is not allowed on the trail. Most villages, however, have picnic tables in local parks adjacent to the trail.

Note: the park has a "carry in, carry out" policy. There are no waste receptacles along the trail except in sections that traverse village centers.

Q. Are there links to other trails?
A. Yes, there are links to trails with Rockefeller State Park, and Rowley's Bridge Trail in Hastings on Hudson. Other trails like the South County trail are a short drive or walk to the east of the Aqueduct trail.

Q. Can you do classroom presentations at schools?
A. Absolutely, and we love to do them. Just call the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct office (914 693-0529) to inquire and set up a schedule.

Q. Do you conduct group tours of the aqueduct tunnel (weir) or hikes along the trail?
A. Yes, we conduct public tours and hikes (see our online calendar) and also conduct private group hikes and tours and lectures upon request. Call the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct office (914 693-0529) to arrange a private group tour or talk.

Q. When is the trail open?
A. The Aqueduct trail is yours to use all year long, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. Tours of the tunnel are available from April 15 to November 1 only.

Q.What is a weir?
A. Weirs (also known as a waste weirs) were integral structures along the Aqueduct that provided a means of draining a section of the aqueduct tunnel for repairs or in anticipation of water overflow. The weirs were located near streams so the excess water could be diverted to them. The weirs also had openings at the top of the weir structure, hence providing a source of ventilation for the water and to help regulate the water flow through the tunnel.

Each waste weir had a sluice gate which diverted excess water out of the tunnel and into a nearby stream.

Q.Where is the New Croton Aqueduct relative to the Old Croton Aqueduct?
A. The New Croton Aqueduct is east of the Old Croton Aqueduct, running roughly along the course of the Taconic Parkway down to Route 117 in Pleasantville, then it parallels the Saw Mill River Parkway south to the Bronx line.

Q.Where is the original Old Croton Aqueduct dam? Can you see it?
A. The original dam is three miles north east of the New Croton dam and is not visible unless the Croton Reservoir level is very low.

Q. Does the Old Aqueduct still provide water to residents of Westchester or New York City?
A. Yes, it does but only to Ossining. It supplies up to 75 percent of Ossining’s water.