Spuyten Duyvil Park Hiking Trails

The trails of Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park weave through a small but beautiful forest across Spuyten Duyvil Creek from the larger Inwood Hill Park. Spuyten Duyvil has had at least 14 different spellings since it was originally named by Dutch colonists in 1664. The city acquired the land in 1882 and used it as the site for the tower for the Henry Hudson Bridge, which opened in 1936. In 1987, the land was officially named and The Department of Parks and Recreation began remodeling the neglected area in compliance with the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act Project, adding gravel paths and other features that allow patrons to visit a natural spring and small pond which feed the Harlem River. The renovations were completed in 1994, and today the park is enjoyed by wildlife as well as human patrons. White-tailed deer and cottontail rabbits have been seen in the park, as well as snowy and yellow egrets, green and black-crowned night-herons, ring-necked pheasants, mallards, and spotted and solitary sandpipers.

Spuyten Duyvil Trail: This 0.25 mile long trail spans the length of Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront park. Starting on the western side of the Edsall Avenue loop, walk east up the wide gravel path. Shortly, the trail divides. If you choose to go right, the path will lead you in a short loop through the forest and within view of the pond. Otherwise, keep left as the trail continues upwards to pass under the Henry Hudson Bridge. After the bridge, there is another optional loop on the right, which slopes down to the shore of a spring-fed pond. After passing this loop, turn slightly right at the top of the hill to continue along the path. When the trail meets Edsall Avenue, cross the street and continue southeast along the trail through the forest for another 0.1 of a mile. The end of the trail provides a view across the water to Inwood Hill Park.

Interactive Map

Points of Interest

Half-Moon Overlook

Benches and container plantings add opportunities for respite to this scenic overlook sited on the side of Palisade Ave. It is named for a ship, the Halve Maene, chartered by the Dutch East India Company, which Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor in September 1609. The overlook provides views of the Palisades, Inwood Hill Park, and the Hudson River in between.

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Pond Shore

This freshwater pond is the result of a natural spring that flows into Spuyten Duyvil Creek. On its banks, you can find a mix of invasive species, such as lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) and common reed (Phragmites australis), competing with native freshwater plants, such as riverbank grape (Vitus riparia), box elder (Acer negundo), groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia), and the beautiful marsh fleabane (Pluchea odorata).

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Hiking in NYC Parks

Visit our Hiking in NYC Parks page to find more nature trails in parks across New York City.