Roosevelt Farm Lane

Hyde Park (Dutchess County)

Why we love it

It’s relatively short for a bike ride — 3.6 miles round trip — but it includes very pretty scenery and lots of history. You’ll pedal along the same carriage road Franklin Roosevelt used to drive between Springwood, his Hudson Riverfront mansion, and Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage retreat. FDR’s boyhood explorations of this land instilled in him a reverence for nature and the need to conserve it. Later, on his income tax forms, he listed his occupation as “tree farmer.” A testament to the sincerity of this statement, he planted many of the trees still growing along the lane.

More to explore

The bike ride complements a visit to the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, including exhibits at his Presidential Library, as well as Val-Kill. A scenic hike from the latter leads to Top Cottage, FDR’s planned retirement home where he famously served hot dogs to England’s King George VI.

Highlights

• Scenic woodland ride great for kids

Directions, hours, etc.: https://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm