Visit Bannerman Island
While the Island's official name is Pollepel Island, it's familiarly known as Bannerman Island to people around the world - made famous by Frank Bannerman's military surplus business, and the castle on the Island that served as his warehouse. Set in the middle of New York's Hudson Valley, about 50 miles north of Mahattan, the island has retained an air of mystery for hundreds, even possibly, thousands of years. The Native Americans thought it to be haunted, the Dutch were convinced a tribe of goblins lived there, while the English and Colonists had their own theories about that rocky island in between the Hudson Highlands.
Since 2003, the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc., in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, has provided public tours of Bannerman Island. Currently tours depart from Newburgh and Beacon, every Saturday and Sunday, from May through October. Available tours consist of guided walking tours on the island with access either by passenger tour boat or as part of a guided kayak excursion. Tours depart from Beacon (kayak or passenger boat), Cold Spring (kayak), Cornwall (kayak), and Newburgh (passenger boat), New York, as described below. Reservations are required for all tours — please call as the times may change slightly due to the tides. Please wear comfortable shoes as there is some rough terrain on the walking tours. Strollers can not be accommodated. All tours depart rain or shine.
Throughout the season - aside from tours, the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. also organizes and hosts several different events on the island - from day and night photo workshops, to lunch and dinners hosted on the island, to performances, and more! Be sure to visit our Tours and Events sections for detailed information.
Since 2003, the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc., in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, has provided public tours of Bannerman Island. Currently tours depart from Newburgh and Beacon, every Saturday and Sunday, from May through October. Available tours consist of guided walking tours on the island with access either by passenger tour boat or as part of a guided kayak excursion. Tours depart from Beacon (kayak or passenger boat), Cold Spring (kayak), Cornwall (kayak), and Newburgh (passenger boat), New York, as described below. Reservations are required for all tours — please call as the times may change slightly due to the tides. Please wear comfortable shoes as there is some rough terrain on the walking tours. Strollers can not be accommodated. All tours depart rain or shine.
Throughout the season - aside from tours, the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. also organizes and hosts several different events on the island - from day and night photo workshops, to lunch and dinners hosted on the island, to performances, and more! Be sure to visit our Tours and Events sections for detailed information.