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Kensico Dam Plaza
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,320 Google reviews · Running trail in Valhalla, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Kensico Dam Plaza's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Historic dam has a 9-11 memorial, scenic picnic areas & events from concerts to antique shows.
What runners say about Kensico Dam Plaza
“The atmosphere was organized and festive, and the setup looked clean heading into the full drive through light show that runs through December.”
“The walking routes are well-maintained and offer picturesque views at every turn.”
“I've visited this peaceful oasis a few times now, and each visit leaves me more impressed than the last.”
“Dog friendly park and an easy stair climb to the top of the dam.”
I went here for a walk. Very clean beautiful scenery and quiet, at least the morning that I went. I saw that there was a playground and public restrooms. They also had a 9/11 memorial. There are park benches available. I was able to sit and journal after my walk.
Kensico Dam Plaza is an amazing spot for everyone! I truly enjoyed an evening walk to the top of the dam, absolutely spectacular views. It’s definitely a bit of a workout, but well worth it. The dam itself is stunning.
Kensico Dam is truly a hidden gem! I've visited this peaceful oasis a few times now, and each visit leaves me more impressed than the last. It's the perfect spot for a tranquil picnic, a game of catch, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk amidst nature's beauty. One of the highlights for me is the serene atmosphere.
Perfect spot for walking, jogging, and exercise. Plenty of steps to go up and down to warm up your legs, LOL. The Dam has a kind of structure that can't say reminding of ancient Chinese or Roman style which I had seen in movies. Anyway, it is worthed to have a visit to see the beautiful view.
Trail conditions & character
“I truly enjoyed an evening walk to the top of the dam, absolutely spectacular views.”
“I've visited this peaceful oasis a few times now, and each visit leaves me more impressed than the last.”
“There's also 2 food trucks, one which sells Nathan's hot dog etc and the other sells ice-cream and frozen treats— not sure if they're always parked here.”
“If you take a walk in the park you can also find a playground, public restrooms etc.”
“And let's not forget about the breathtaking climb to the top of those stairs – while they may be steep, the stunning vistas from the summit make it all worth it.”
“It seems to have gotten more popular over the years, we used to pull up years ago and parking was pretty plentiful, now we had to drive around the lot a bit for a space.”
Plan your run at Kensico Dam Plaza
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteparks.westchestergov.com
- Phone(914) 231-4033
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
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