Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

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Address
129 Schoharie Street
Fort Hunter, NY 12069
Latitude 42.939854
Longitude -74.283005

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Visitor Center

Schoharie Crossing's Visitor Center and Museum on Schoharie Street is open for the season! The hours will be Wednesday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday's 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Yankee Hill

Our lovely Yankee Hill Lock Picnic Area is open from sunrise to sunset daily at 550 Queen Anne Rd, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Aqueduct Boat Launch

The Aqueduct Boat Launch area is open from sunrise to sunset daily at the end of Hartley Lane, Town of Glen, off NYS Route 5-South. Come see the stabilization of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct while recreating at this historic site.


Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century's greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Visitor Center exhibit traces the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation.

Within the site's boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal's development. At the eastern end of the site is the Putnam Lock Stand at Yankee Hill that houses an exhibit on Erie Canal stores. The site's largest structure is the remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Schoharie Creek.

Schoharie Crossing is also the location of 18th century Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk village. See artifacts from that portion of our history on display at the Visitor Center.

Stop into the Visitor Center to orient yourself to the site, check out the exhibit space and gift shop.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers educational outreach programs as well as an on-site school field trips and special events.

Pavilion Information
Schoharie Crossing has three event tents (approximately 20'x 20') available. Prices range from $50 to $75 and can accommodate up to 25 people. Please check availability and request special use permit information by contacting the site before reserving on ReserveAmerica.com.

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 140 Fort Hunter, NY 12069

Hours of Operation

  • Schoharie Crossing's Visitor Center and Museum on Schoharie Street is open for the 2023 season. The hours will be Wednesday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday's 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
    The Schoharie Creek Aqueduct Boat Launch and Picnic Area as well as Yankee Hill Lock picnic area are open from sunrise to sunset daily. Permits are required for gatherings of more than 20 persons. 
  • Tours and Exhibit at Schoharie Crossing

    Guided tours of the site grounds will be given by advance reservation only. Please call the site directly at (518) 829-7516 during normal business hours or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov to schedule. Tours are $3 per person.

    Museum exhibit requires no tour.

    Interpretive signs throughout the grounds of Schoharie Crossing provide information on the various canal features and pre-canal history of the site. 

Fees & Rates

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site does not charge a vehicle fee

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

  • Admission
  • There is no admission fee however some fees apply for special events, educational services, tours and the use of picnic areas.

    $3 per person for guided tours (available by reservation)
    Contact the site for Student Group rates and options. Outreach program rates and topics are available by request."

Maps

Digital Maps

New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.

Our museum exhibit, "Pathway to Empire: How the Erie Canal Helped Build America" helps mark the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Erie Canal. This exhibit highlights the major themes associated with the history of the canal and illustrates them with interesting artifacts and interactive displays. A major focal point of the exhibit is a scale model of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct and Lock 30, along with the Browns Cash Store that once stood along the canal here in Fort Hunter, NY. By using artifacts and primary documents, this exhibit delves into the geology, social and economic impacts, political motivations, and engineering of the nationally significant and historic waterway we know as the Erie Canal. With its rich history, the canal continues to play a critical role in the lives of all New Yorkers and Americans to this day.


Inside of our Visitor Center exhibit you can also view panels on the pre-canal history of the site. This portion of our museum highlights the Mohawk Village known as Tiononderoge and the Haudenosaunee people who occupied these lands for generations before the American Revolution. The panels also explore the British Colonial fort that once existed along the banks of the Schoharie Creek. Witness artifacts that were excavated onsite that help tell the story of this era of New York and American History.

In partnership with the United States Geological Survey, there are panels that illustrate the historic water conditions of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River. This exhibit demonstrates the immense power of water and the destructive nature of flooding in the valleys.

Featured on the east end of the historic site at Yankee Hill Lock is the Putman Canal Store. The building is undergoing a restoration assessment and will be closed to the general public for 2023. We expect restoration work to happen in 2024.The grounds of Yankee Hill remain open at this time.

Thu 08 Jun
Putman Porch Music
Thursday, June 8, 2023 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
We welcome musicians and listeners to Yankee Hill Lock for this canawler experience! An Americana Folk and roots music style jam session on the porch of the old Putman Canal Store happens each Thursday in June. Come play some fiddle, guitar, banjo, sing, or whatever instrument you may bring, to this lively time along the historic Erie Canal!
Sat 10 Jun
Get Outdoors and Get Together Day
Saturday, June 10, 2023 01:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Join us for a one-mile accessible friendly hike along the historic canal and Schoharie Creek as we celebrate Getting Outdoors and Getting Together! in June. We'll offer a low-key stroll along the grass covered trails with short lessons on the history, the environment, and how to enjoy wellness every day!
Wed 14 Jun
Wildlife Wednesday
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 06:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Anita Sanchez will be offering up an amazing Wildflower walk along the trails of Schoharie Crossing. Proper footwear for grass and gravel is required. Please dress for the weather.
Thu 15 Jun
Putman Porch Music
Thursday, June 15, 2023 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
We welcome musicians and listeners to Yankee Hill Lock for this canawler experience! An Americana Folk and roots music style jam session on the porch of the old Putman Canal Store happens each Thursday in June. Come play some fiddle, guitar, banjo, sing, or whatever instrument you may bring, to this lively time along the historic Erie Canal!
Sat 17 Jun
Path Through History Weekend
Saturday, June 17, 2023 until Sunday, June 18, 2023 10:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Exclusive Path Through History Tours of Schoharie Crossing will be offered for FREE! On Saturday we'll tour along the historic original Erie Canal towpath and back along the Enlarged canal to view the Aqueduct. Then, on Sunday, the tours will be at the Aqueduct Boat-launch picnic area along the creek with details on the history and stabilization of the historic structure.

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Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking
  • Equestrian Trails
  • Gift Shop (Accessible)
  • Hiking (Accessible)
  • Picnic Area (Accessible)
  • Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing
  • Tours (Accessible) * Museum Accessible
  • Visitor Center (Accessible) * There are accessible restrooms available when open.