New York State Route 212
Encyclopedia
New York State Route 212 (NY 212) is a state highway located entirely within Ulster County
. It runs from the interior of the Catskill Park to the west bank of the Hudson River
, providing a key interchange with the New York State Thruway
along the way.
It visits the picturesque and historic villages of Woodstock
and Saugerties
, deep woods and the largest natural body of water in the Catskills
.
(it is not incorporated separately as a village), is located at about the midpoint of 212 and also marks a change in the character of the surrounding lands.
alongside Esopus Creek
at the hamlet of Mount Tremper
in the town of Shandaken
. 212 follows the creek for a little while in a more north–south direction, then crosses over its tributary
, the Beaver Kill (not the better known fly fishing
stream in Sullivan County
), and follows it along its northside, gradually turning more toward the east.
As it passes through the quiet forest communities of Willow and Shady
, it leaves the Beaver Kill. At Cooper Lake
, the largest natural lake
in the Catskills (though it has been expanded to serve as the main reservoir for Kingston
), it picks up the Saw Kill River
, another tributary of the Esopus.
It winds on into Bearsville
, home of Todd Rundgren
's eponymous record label
, and then reaches Woodstock itself.
reputation as a hippie
refuge (although the famous 1969 Woodstock Festival
, which has the most to do with this, was actually held in Bethel
, 50 miles (80 km) away in Sullivan County). Tie-dye
d clothing and scented candle
s are in abundance, although they do not come cheap.
Eventually 212 reaches its junction with NY 375
, which ends the downtown section. In more open rural country here, it crosses the Blue Line
and leaves the Catskill Park, although Overlook Mountain begins to loom to the north. Winding past the nearly-vanished hamlets of Veteran and Centerville, it at last reaches the Thruway, joined
by NY 32
, which comes in from the north just before the overpass.
On the other side of the toll road is the heavily developed outskirts of Saugerties
itself, where 212 finally comes to its eastern end when 32 joins with US 9W
.
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
. It runs from the interior of the Catskill Park to the west bank of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, providing a key interchange with the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
along the way.
It visits the picturesque and historic villages of Woodstock
Woodstock, New York
Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,884 at the 2010 census, down from 6,241 at the 2000 census.The Town of Woodstock is in the northern part of the county...
and Saugerties
Saugerties (village), New York
Saugerties is a village in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 4,955 at the 2000 census.The Village of Saugerties is a Town in the eastern part of the Town of Saugerties. U.S. Route 9W passes through the village...
, deep woods and the largest natural body of water in the Catskills
Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...
.
Route description
The commercial center of WoodstockWoodstock, New York
Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,884 at the 2010 census, down from 6,241 at the 2000 census.The Town of Woodstock is in the northern part of the county...
(it is not incorporated separately as a village), is located at about the midpoint of 212 and also marks a change in the character of the surrounding lands.
West of Woodstock
The western terminus of Route 212 is an oblique intersection with NY 28New York State Route 28
New York State Route 28 is a state highway extending for in the shape of a "C" between the Hudson Valley city of Kingston and southern Warren County in the U.S. state of New York. Along the way, it intersects several major routes, including Interstate 88 , U.S. Route 20 , and the...
alongside Esopus Creek
Esopus Creek
Esopus Creek is a tributary of the Hudson River that drains the east-central Catskill Mountains of the U.S. state of New York. From its source at Winnisook Lake on the slopes of Slide Mountain, the Catskills' highest peak, it flows across Ulster County to the Hudson at Saugerties. Many tributaries...
at the hamlet of Mount Tremper
Mount Tremper, New York
Mount Tremper is a populated place in Ulster County, New York, USA. Mount Tremper is situated to the east of New York State Route 28 and to the north of New York State Route 212 within the Catskill Park. The community is located at...
in the town of Shandaken
Shandaken, New York
Shandaken is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,235. The name is from a native phrase for "land of rapid waters."...
. 212 follows the creek for a little while in a more north–south direction, then crosses over its tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
, the Beaver Kill (not the better known fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
stream in Sullivan County
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
), and follows it along its northside, gradually turning more toward the east.
As it passes through the quiet forest communities of Willow and Shady
Shady, New York
Shady is a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, United States. It is part of the town of Woodstock and lies on New York State Route 212.-Notable residents:*Henry Cowell, composer...
, it leaves the Beaver Kill. At Cooper Lake
Cooper Lake (New York)
Cooper Lake, located near Lake Hill in the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County, New York, is the largest natural lake in the Catskill Mountains. However, it has been expanded somewhat over the years since it serves as the main reservoir for the nearby city of Kingston, which stores water there that it...
, the largest natural lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in the Catskills (though it has been expanded to serve as the main reservoir for Kingston
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
), it picks up the Saw Kill River
Saw Kill River
Saw Kill may refer to three different bodies of water in New York. Two are tributaries of the Hudson River, on its east bank. The other drains into Esopus Creek, a tributary of the Hudson on its west bank....
, another tributary of the Esopus.
It winds on into Bearsville
Bearsville, New York
Bearsville is a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, USA. Bearsville is in the town of Woodstock, New York and is located along New York State Route 212, within Catskill State Park and just to the west of the hamlet of Woodstock. The highest known temperature in Bearsville was 101°F, which...
, home of Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
's eponymous record label
Bearsville Records
Bearsville Records was founded in 1970 by Albert Grossman. Artists included Todd Rundgren, Elizabeth Barraclough, Foghat, Halfnelson/Sparks, Bobby Charles, Randy VanWarmer, Paul Butterfield's Better Days, Lazarus, Jesse Winchester, and NRBQ. The label closed in 1984, two years before Grossman's...
, and then reaches Woodstock itself.
East of Woodstock
212 goes through the hamlet, often populated with visitors on warmer summer weekends, as its main street. Many of the boutiques along it and the side streets live up to the area's bohemianBohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
reputation as a hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
refuge (although the famous 1969 Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
, which has the most to do with this, was actually held in Bethel
Bethel, New York
Bethel is a town in Sullivan County, New York, USA. The population has been estimated at 4,532 in 2007.The town received worldwide fame after it became the host of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, which was originally planned for Wallkill, New York, but was relocated to Bethel after Wallkill withdrew.-...
, 50 miles (80 km) away in Sullivan County). Tie-dye
Tie-dye
Tie-dye is a process of resist dyeing textiles or clothing which is made from knit or woven fabric, usually cotton; typically using bright colors. It is a modern version of traditional dyeing methods used in many cultures throughout the world. "Tie-dye" can also describe the resulting pattern or an...
d clothing and scented candle
Candle
A candle is a solid block or cylinder of wax with an embedded wick, which is lit to provide light, and sometimes heat.Today, most candles are made from paraffin. Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy, other plant waxes, and tallow...
s are in abundance, although they do not come cheap.
Eventually 212 reaches its junction with NY 375
New York State Route 375
New York State Route 375 , locally known as West Hurley Road for its entire length, is a short highway in the Catskill Park located entirely within Ulster County, New York, United States. It primarily allows for more direct access from nearby Kingston to Woodstock...
, which ends the downtown section. In more open rural country here, it crosses the Blue Line
Blue Line (New York State)
The Blue Line is the term used in New York state for the boundaries of the Adirondack and Catskill parks, within which can be found the state's Forest Preserve...
and leaves the Catskill Park, although Overlook Mountain begins to loom to the north. Winding past the nearly-vanished hamlets of Veteran and Centerville, it at last reaches the Thruway, joined
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
by NY 32
New York State Route 32
New York State Route 32 is a north–south state highway that extends for through the Hudson Valley and Capital District regions of the U.S. state of New York. It is a two-lane surface road for nearly its entire length, with few divided and no limited-access sections. From Harriman to Albany,...
, which comes in from the north just before the overpass.
On the other side of the toll road is the heavily developed outskirts of Saugerties
Saugerties (village), New York
Saugerties is a village in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 4,955 at the 2000 census.The Village of Saugerties is a Town in the eastern part of the Town of Saugerties. U.S. Route 9W passes through the village...
itself, where 212 finally comes to its eastern end when 32 joins with US 9W
U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W is a north–south U.S. Highway in the states of New Jersey and New York. It begins on Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey as it crosses the US 1 & 9, US 46, and the Interstate 95 approaches to the George Washington Bridge, where it heads north up the west...
.