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Region

Ulster County

Base in Kingston or New Paltz with a car; a bus-only trip covers one town, not the county.

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Key facts · United States

Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Visa
Depends on your passport
Currency
US dollar (USD, $)
Language
English
Plugs
A · B · 120 V
Time zone
Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10
Month by month hereIn detail ↓
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Ulster County runs from the Hudson River west into the Catskill foothills: Kingston and Saugerties on the river, New Paltz under the Shawangunk ridge, Woodstock and the mountain towns inland. Sights sit 20–50 minutes apart with thin bus coverage, so a car turns three days into a full trip; without one, pick a single walkable town and stay there.

Where to sleep

7 places in this region

Sleep base

  • KingstonCity guide

    Stockade district, riverfront, Saturday farmers market; best all-round base.

    Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Open Kingston →

  • New PaltzCity guide

    Walkable college village; closest base to the Gunks and Minnewaska.

    Best May–Oct

    Open New Paltz →

Day trip

Plan the nights

How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags

Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags

Night sequences

2 nights
Kingston 2 nights; one day for New Paltz and the Gunks
3 nights
Kingston 2 + New Paltz 1; add Woodstock or Saugerties as a half-day
  • Deer on rural roads at dusk and after dark; wet and snowy roads in winter.
  • Cell signal is spotty west of the Thruway and inside Catskill Park — download maps before you drive.
  • Summer burn bans and storm closures can shut trails; check park status before setting out.

Day-trips door to door

ToFromDoor-to-door p50Last returnNote
New PaltzKingston30 mincheckDrive or limited bus; trailheads fill by mid-morning on weekends.
WoodstockKingston25 mincheckEvening music possible; check the last bus if you are not driving.
SaugertiesKingston25 mincheckPair with the lighthouse and a river walk.
EllenvilleKingston50 mincheckLong drive for a day; better as an overnight if you hike.

Bags between cities

No rail line enters the county; the UCAT bus from Poughkeepsie station is timed to specific Metro-North trains and carries bicycles. With a car, I-87 exits 18 (New Paltz) and 19 (Kingston) are the usual entry points.

When to go

Months and weather

Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
CountryJFMAMJJASOND
Kingston
New Paltz
Woodstock
Saugerties
Kerhonkson
Ellenville
Marlborough
United States (country-wide)
Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month
ZoneJFMAMJJASOND
Hudson Valley and Catskill foothillsKingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Woodstockcoldcoldokbestbestokhothotbestbestokcold
best: dry, mildok: workablehot: short walking windows
Hudson Valley and Catskill foothills
Four seasons: snowy winters, humid summers; heavy snow from nor'easters, occasional Alberta clippers. Fall colour peaks in October.

Summer weekends and October fill lodgings first; book ahead for those dates.

Getting in and passes

Arrival times and regional passes

Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate
FromToHowp50Note
New York City (Port Authority)New Paltz / KingstonTrailways bus~1 h 40–2 hSeveral trips daily; you still need local transport at the far end.
New York CityEllenville / KerhonksonShortline–Coach USA bus~2 h+About three trips daily; ground transport needed once inside the county.
Poughkeepsie (Metro-North / Amtrak)Rosendale / New Paltz / HighlandUCAT bus across the river~40–60 minNo rail into the county; the bus is timed to specific Metro-North trains. Bicycles carried.
Stewart International Airport (SWF)KingstonCar or taxi~50 minClosest airport; limited airlines. A UCAT connection may exist — check.
New York City airports (JFK / LGA / EWR)Ulster CountyCar, or livery car~2–2.5 hRental cars available at all three; traffic on I-87 peaks Friday evening and Sunday.

Eat and move on

Regional food and where to go next

Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next

Regional food

Where and when it works
DishWhereTiming / trap
Orchard fruit and ciderMarlborough, New Paltz, roadside standsPick-your-own in fall; Esopus Spitzenberg and Jonathan apples started here.
Farmers market produceKingston, Wall StreetSaturdays 10:00–14:00, late May to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Wineries, cider houses and breweriesCounty-wide, notably MarlboroughBenmarl has grown grapes since at least 1878; tasting rooms often close early — check hours.
Latin American and Caribbean foodKingston and the larger townsLong-standing Jamaican and Latin American communities; portions are generous.

Go next

Catskills

planned

West on NY-28

The rest of the mountain region; pair with Ulster for a longer loop.

Delaware County, New York

NY-28 west, ~1 h+

Quieter rivers and reservoirs.

Greene County

planned

I-87 north, ~40 min to the county line

Northern Catskills and ski country.

Orange County

planned

I-87 south, ~30–40 min

Newburgh, Storm King and Stewart airport.

Planning aids

Built from this guide's own data

Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…

Region in numbers

Where to sleep
2 bases
Day trips
4, 25 min to 50 min
Nights suggested
2–3 nights
Ways in
5 listed
Best months
Apr, May, Sep, Oct

Going in…

Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.

Pick a month.

Visit Catskills Up to United States

Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources

Sources

Ask about Ulster County

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