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Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Hudson River Bridge

Photo of Rip Van Winkle Bridge

The Rip Van Winkle Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Hudson River between Hudson, New York and Catskill, New York. It is 5,040 feet long and affords 145 feet of clearance over the water. The bridge carries NY 23 across the river, connecting US 9W and NY 385 on the west side with NY 9G on the east side. The bridge was named after the long-hibernating protagonist of Washington Irving's classic 1819 work, which takes place nearby; both Hudson and Catskill are mentioned in the story.

The pedestrian bridge, completed in 2018, runs along the south side of the bridge. It is a key part of The Hudson River Skywalk, a scenic walkway that connects the major Hudson River School artists Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. The six mile out-and-back pedestrian walkway connects the two national historic landmarks, the Thomas Cole Site and Frederic Church's Olana, via the bridge. With sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains, the Skywalk brings visitors into the natural landscapes that inspired Cole and Church's iconic Hudson River School landscape paintings. The Hudson River Skywalk Region includes the City of Hudson and the Village of Catskill, which both offer historic Main Streets with restaurants, shopping and accommodations.

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Contact Information
New York State Bridge Authority

Catskill, NY 12414

Website