Rondout Creek - Course - Rondout Valley

Rondout Valley

The creek, here wider and deeper, forms the bed of a widening valley as it continues northeast past Eastern Correctional Facility, where the first remnant of the canal, an empty ditch next to an old railroad station, can be found alongside. The creek continues towards Kerhonkson, where Route 55 and US 44 cross over. US 209 continues paralleling the Rondout towards High Falls, as it begins to curve to the east around the northern end of the ridge.

Here, it goes over the spectacular waterfall that gives the community its name, just below NY 213. These have been the subject of much controversy in recent years, since they are considered both a popular swimming hole and an attractive nuisance. The local fire department, which owned the land, had to sell it to keep its liability insurance premiums affordable, and the new owner has posted the property for the same reason. However, swimmers routinely descend on the area on warm days.