Ogden Mills &038; Ruth Livingston Mills State Park sits along the eastern bank of the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York — note that while sometimes associated with the Taconic region, the park falls within Dutchess County’s borders. Spanning 630 acres of rolling terrain, the park is anchored by the stunning Mills Mansion, a 65-room Beaux-Arts estate designed by Stanford White in 1896 for financier Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston Mills.

The mansion is the park’s centerpiece and one of the finest Gilded Age estates open to the public in the Hudson Valley. Guided tours reveal lavishly furnished rooms with original artwork, tapestries, and period furnishings that transport visitors to turn-of-the-century high society. Beyond the mansion, the grounds offer sweeping views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains — particularly striking during fall foliage season from mid-September through late October.

Trails wind through mature hardwood forests and open meadows, ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing, and birding. The park’s riverfront location makes it a favorite spot for picnicking with a view, and the old-growth trees throughout the property provide welcome shade on summer afternoons. Fishing is available along the Hudson shoreline.

The park does not offer camping facilities, but nearby Norrie Point and Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park provide campsites just minutes south along Route 9. Spring through fall is the best window for visiting, with autumn delivering the most dramatic scenery. Admission to the grounds is free, though mansion tours carry a small fee. It’s a perfect half-day stop on any Hudson Valley road trip.

~250 words. One note: the park is actually in Dutchess County, not Taconic County (the Taconic region is a broader geographic/administrative area used by NY State Parks). I flagged this in the text

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