Explore/New York/Walk the Lindenwald Wayside Loop

Walk the Lindenwald Wayside Loop

Kinderhook / Columbia County, New York

Activity

Walking / Historic Landscape

Difficulty

Easy

Distance

0.75 mi round trip

Elevation gain

~60 ft

Duration

~45–75 min

Route

Loop / historic farm landscape

The adventure

Walk a three-quarter-mile loop around Lindenwald and its farm landscape, using wayside stops to piece together the estate where Martin Van Buren spent his post-presidency years.

What you'll do

Start at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site visitor parking area, then follow the route about 0.75 miles round trip. complete official Wayside Loop

Expect dirt/gravel carriage road plus grass/dirt near farm fields.

Expect roughly 60 ft of climbing along the way.

What you're looking at

Van Buren's post-presidency home, farm and political headquarters
original home dates to 1797

Once you're there

Park in the official visitor lot across Old Post Road from the visitor center. Pick up the self-guided map from the parking/visitor area and begin the Wayside Loop.

Follow the numbered interpretive route around the historic home and toward the farm landscape, remaining on park paths rather than entering cultivated fields. Complete the full circuit and return to the visitor parking area.

Don't miss

Notice the surviving road corridor in front of Lindenwald. This landscape was connected to the old Albany-to-New York route long before anyone arrived by interstate.

Good to know

Pets: leash no longer than 6 feet; not inside buildings
Grounds: year-round, approximately 7 AM to sunset
Parking: designated visitor lot across Old Post Road
Visitor services: seasonal
Ticks: regional tick precautions recommended
Surface: unpaved and can be wet after rain
Farm fields: do not enter active agricultural fields
Dogs: allowed-on-leash.
SHORT HISTORY LOOP: The official Wayside Loop is about three quarters of a mile over grass, dirt and gravel.
THE OUTDOORS STAY OPEN: The grounds are open year-round even when seasonal visitor services or house tours are closed.
STILL A FARM LANDSCAPE: The loop overlooks working farm fields that are still cultivated today.
MORE THAN A HOUSE: Lindenwald was Van Buren's home, farm and political headquarters after his presidency.
FREE AND SELF-GUIDED: There is no entrance fee and the Wayside Loop requires no reservation.
Safety: regional tick precautions recommended. unpaved and can be wet after rain. do not enter active agricultural fields.
Managed by: National Park Service.

Please respect the place

Stay on the official Wayside Loop and park grounds
Do not enter active farm fields
Keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet
Pets are not allowed inside park buildings
Respect areas closed to recreational activity