Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park
New York’s Gilded Age Hudson River Estate — Staatsburgh Beaux-Arts Mansion Tours, McKim Mead & White Architecture, Woodland Hiking Trails, Hudson River Views & Dinsmore Golf Course in Dutchess County
Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park is a historic estate park in Staatsburg, Dutchess County, New York, featuring the magnificent Staatsburgh State Historic Site — a 79-room Gilded Age Beaux-Arts mansion designed by McKim, Mead & White. The park offers guided mansion tours, woodland hiking trails with Hudson River views, the Dinsmore Golf Course, picnicking areas, and cross-country skiing in winter.
The Staatsburgh mansion is one of the finest surviving Gilded Age estates in the Hudson Valley. Built for Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills in 1895–1896, the 79-room mansion showcases the extraordinary wealth and social ambition of America’s Gilded Age elite. The interiors feature Louis XV and Louis XVI-style furnishings, original art collections, and elaborate architectural details. The surrounding estate grounds offer scenic woodland trails with panoramic Hudson River views, connecting to the adjacent Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park as part of the larger Mills-Norrie State Park complex.
Things to Do
Mansion Tours
- Staatsburgh State Historic Site: 79-room Beaux-Arts mansion
- Architect: McKim, Mead & White (1895–1896)
- Interiors: Louis XV/XVI-style furnishings, original art, period rooms
- Guided tours: Seasonal — check schedule
- Special events: Holiday tours, lectures, themed programs
Hiking
- Woodland trails: Through the historic estate grounds
- Hudson River views: Panoramic overlooks from trail system
- Historical hikes: Guided “History Hidden in the Woods” walks exploring former estate ruins
- Connected to Norrie State Park: Extended trail network
Golf
- Dinsmore Golf Course: On the estate grounds
Picnicking
- Picnic areas on the estate grounds
- Hudson River setting
Winter Activities
- Cross-country skiing: On estate trails
- Snowshoeing
The Mansion
The Staatsburgh mansion was built in 1895–1896 when Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills hired the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White to expand Ruth’s family home into a 79-room Beaux-Arts palace. The Livingston family had owned the property since the 18th century, and Ruth Livingston Mills was a direct descendant of Robert R. Livingston, one of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence. The finished mansion featured gilded interiors, marble fireplaces, tapestries, and furnishings imported from European palaces. After the death of Ogden Mills Jr. in 1937, the estate was donated to the State of New York. Today, the mansion is open for tours and stands as one of the Hudson Valley’s most impressive surviving Gilded Age estates.
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mansion Tours | Seasonal — check Staatsburgh State Historic Site for schedule |
| Grounds | Open sunrise to sunset, year-round |
| Admission (Grounds) | Free for trails and picnicking |
| Admission (Mansion) | Tour fees may apply — check current pricing |
| Camping | Not available at this park — see Norrie State Park nearby |
| Complex | Part of Mills-Norrie State Park (with Margaret Lewis Norrie SP) |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | ⭐ BEST: Fall foliage over Hudson River; mansion tours; crisp hiking; photography; special autumn events | Shorter days; cooling; book tours in advance |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full mansion tour schedule; warm trail hiking; golf; picnicking; long days; Hudson River views | Hot; busy weekends; humidity |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Spring blooms on estate grounds; mansion reopens; birding; green-up; uncrowded | Variable weather; some areas muddy; tour schedule may be limited |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Holiday mansion tours; cross-country skiing; snowshoeing; winter Hudson River views | Mansion hours limited; cold; check holiday tour schedule |
Visitor Tips
- Book mansion tours: Guided tours of the Staatsburgh mansion are available seasonally — check the schedule and book in advance for weekends.
- Free grounds: The estate grounds, trails, and picnic areas are free year-round, even when mansion tours are not operating.
- Hudson Valley context: The park is between Rhinebeck and Hyde Park — combine with visits to the FDR Presidential Library, Vanderbilt Mansion, or other Hudson Valley estates.
- Holiday tours: The mansion’s holiday tours in December are especially popular — featuring period decorations and themed programs.
- Connected trails: The trail system connects to adjacent Norrie State Park — extend your hike along the Hudson River.
- Gilded Age history: Read about the Livingston family and Gilded Age society before visiting for full appreciation of the mansion’s significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tour the mansion at Ogden Mills State Park?
Yes — the Staatsburgh State Historic Site, located within Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park in Staatsburg, New York, offers guided tours of the 79-room Gilded Age Beaux-Arts mansion. The mansion was designed by McKim, Mead & White in 1895–1896 and features Louis XV and XVI-style furnishings, original art collections, and elaborate period interiors. Tours are available seasonally, with special holiday tours in December. The estate grounds, woodland hiking trails, and picnic areas are free to visit year-round.
Is Ogden Mills State Park free?
The estate grounds, hiking trails, and picnic areas at Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park are free to visit year-round from sunrise to sunset. Guided mansion tours at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site may have a fee — check the current pricing on the New York State Parks website. The park is located in Staatsburg, Dutchess County, between Rhinebeck and Hyde Park, and is part of the larger Mills-Norrie State Park complex with trails connecting to adjacent Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park along the Hudson River.
Last updated: May 2026
