Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Upgrades will improve wastewater facilities at the Hudson River-adjacent campground, enhance visitor experience

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced the completion of a more than $3 million upgrade to the infrastructure at Mills-Norrie State Park's campground facilities in Dutchess County. The wastewater project is part of an ongoing reinvestment in New York's State Park system and will have a positive impact on the Hudson River quality.   

New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, "Vital, back-to-basics infrastructure improvements, like the new wastewater facilities at the Mills-Norrie campground, are essential for park operations. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of State Parks staff, these critical projects are continuously underway, often behind the scenes. Whether you're kayaking, hiking, or camping, every New Yorker deserves a clean, comfortable, and enjoyable experience in our state parks. This project not only enhances the visitor experience at Mills-Norrie but also reflects our commitment to being mindful stewards of the nearby Hudson River." 

This infrastructure project consists of a complete wastewater facility upgrade, including the construction of a new septic absorption field to replace two existing outdated absorption fields. New sanitary and effluent sewer mains have been constructed with new pump stations to safely convey wastewater from cabins, restrooms, and a shower building to the new absorption field – all with the capacity to potentially tie-in future projects. The campground's recreational vehicle dump station has also been modernized and expanded to allow for more convenient access. The project is supported by New York State Parks capital funding. 

Mills-Norrie State Park is made up of two adjoining parks, Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park and Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Parks, connected on the west by the Hudson River. Together, they comprise more than one thousand acres. A serene, wooded area with glimpses of the Hudson River provides an ideal location for 44 tent sites and 10 cabins available for rental at the park's campground. Campers have convenient access to attractions within the park, including its signature river trail, Gilded Age mansion tours at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, a DEC environmental center, a 145-slip marina, and the Dinsmore golf course -- one of the oldest golf courses in the country.  

Mills-Norrie also offers a full menu of recreational opportunities and activities for visitors of all ages. The numerous trails that thread through the grounds of both Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park and Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Parks are ideal for walking, jogging, hiking, and cycling -- treating visitors to fabulous views of the Hudson River which extends approximately two miles directly along the parks' western boundaries along the River Trail, providing a unique experience with direct access to the shoreline. Nearby towns and cities like Hyde Park, Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie offer great options for cultural and recreational activities and dining. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.