Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (Tuxedo to Jones Point)

Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks

The Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, or R-D, crosses Harriman State Park from the Tuxedo train station on the Ramapo River to Dunderberg Mountain above the Hudson at Jones Point. Fastest Known Time says its first miles were set in 1920, and Wikipedia lists it among the first trails the NY-NJ Trail Conference built.

Hiking Project describes “a long series of hills and valleys” over bald, glacially scoured summits that “will test your endurance.” Harriman’s stone shelters make it a two-day trip.

The hike

Hiking Project lists the trail at 22.2 miles with about 4,500 feet of gain; other sources give 21.45 to about 22 miles. It starts at Tuxedo station, so hikers can arrive by train, and climbs east from the Ramapo valley. Hiking Project mentions a detour to Claudius Smith’s cave hideout and a view of Lake Sebago from Black Ash Mountain.

The first shelter is Tom Jones, about half a mile from the Route 106 pull-off past Little Long Pond, where a white trail leaves the R-D (NY State Parks). Bill Menke, who stopped there in June 2016, describes “a large three sided stone lean-to” with views of Lake Sebago from the nearby summit area. He ran out of water on Tom Jones Mountain, carrying two liters when he wished he’d brought three.

From the same Route 106 pull-off, State Parks directions reach the Bald Rocks Shelter in about 1.5 miles on the R-D and then the yellow Dunning Trail. Menke, who camped there in February 2009, says it’s unusual among Harriman’s shelters because it’s built from very large gneiss slabs, and that “the walk along the ridge crest is just wonderful.” A WhiteBlaze poster places water about a quarter mile down the Dunning Trail.

Farther on, the R-D crosses Arden Valley Road with the Appalachian Trail near Lake Tiorati, about a mile from Fingerboard Shelter, according to State Parks; a WhiteBlaze poster recommends filling up at the Tiorati bathhouse. Hiking Project notes that the R-D runs with the A.T. in places and leaves it at others for solitude. Since June 2026 the Parkway crossing follows the Trail Conference’s detour over the Anthony Wayne Overpass, marked with red R-D blazes.

East of the Parkway, the trail heads for Dunderberg Mountain, which Fastest Known Time says projects into the Hudson. Hiking Project says the trail ends with views of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain; its lowest point is 15 feet, near Jones Point.

For the A.T. through the same park, see Lake Tiorati to Bear Mountain.

Tips

Take the train to Tuxedo and arrange a ride from Jones Point, or do the trail in sections.
Carry three liters in warm weather. Shelters have no reliable water, and streams run low.
Fill up at lakes. A 2017 forum poster says Harriman’s lakes have good water; filter it.
Arrive early. Shelters near parking fill by nightfall, according to another 2017 poster.
Follow the red R-D blazes on the 2026 Parkway detour.

Camping

NY State Parks says Harriman’s trail shelters are first come, first served, and if a shelter is occupied, you may camp 300 feet from it. Fires are allowed only in fireplaces. The NY-NJ Trail Conference says the park allows backpack camping in designated spots shown on its Harriman-Bear Mountain map. Shelters reached from the R-D include Tom Jones, Bald Rocks, and Fingerboard.

Inside Intel: Bill Menke camped just north of the Bald Rocks Shelter at a fire ring he knew in February 2009, after a ridge walk he calls “just wonderful,” while two men and a dog had the shelter. In June 2017, a BackpackingLight poster spent his first night at Bald Rocks on a train-to-train trip, though he found the nearby stream a trickle.

Trail facts

Distance: 22.2 miles (Hiking Project); about 21.5 to 22 in other sources
Route type: Point to point, Tuxedo station to Jones Point
Difficulty: Strenuous
Campsites: Tom Jones, Bald Rocks, and Fingerboard shelters (short side trails); tents within 300 feet when full
Water: No reliable water at shelters; lakes and seasonal streams (filter)
Permits: None found for shelter camping
Fires: Shelter fireplaces only
Trailheads: Tuxedo train station (west); Route 106 pull-off near Little Long Pond (shelters); Jones Point (east)
Last verified: October 11, 2026

The Lowdown

Coffee on the Bald Rocks ridge:

Bald Rocks Shelter is built from huge gneiss slabs, and Harriman allows fires only in shelter fireplaces. See the backpacking stoves reviewers rate.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.