FAQ

Bannerman Castle is an abandoned early 20th Century “Folly”  that served as a military surplus and arsenal warehouse on Pollepel Island, also known as Bannerman Island.  Built by military antiques dealer Francis Bannerman VI to house his collection, the castle and other structures were constructed between 1900 -1918.  The island was later acquired by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) as part of the Hudson Highland State Park Preserve, Taconic Region, and the island is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) is an official “Friends” organization of the NYSOPRHP that formed in 1994 and opened the island for public tours in 2004, visit bannermancastle.org

When visiting Bannerman island you will enjoy beautifully restored gardens and terraces, the original Bannerman Summer Residence (now a museum), and incredible views of the Hudson River Fjord and historic castle ruins. Guided tours, theatrical events, film nights, concerts and other events are regularly scheduled. All Tickets MUST be purchased online at: bannermancastle.org.

Bannerman Castle is located on Pollepel (aka Bannerman) Island in the Hudson River, between Beacon and Cold Spring, NY. The island sits at the northern end of the Hudson Highlands chain of mountains, approximately 5 miles north of West Point Military Academy.

• Tours and access to Bannerman Island is managed by the Bannerman Castle Trust.  Tickets must be purchased through bannermancastle.org.

• The BCT’s 44-passenger tour boat, the RV Estuary Steward, is in operation on weekends, most holidays, and many Friday evenings from late spring through early fall each year.  All tours depart from the Beacon, NY Hudson River dock located at 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon, NY, 12508, directly across from the Metro-North Train Station.

• The BCT offers tours, plays, concerts, film nights, special dinners and other programming on Bannerman Island throughout the touring season.  Specific information on events can be found at bannermancastle.org

• IMPORTANT: You must arrive at the Beacon Dock 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. Plan for excessive amounts of traffic when traveling to the Hudson Valley and Beacon, NY, particularly during peak season (September/October) and weekends. We cannot accommodate, reschedule or process refunds for late arrivals.

At this time, Bannerman Island is not accessible to people with severe mobility issues. To access the island and its structures, visitors must be able to climb 72 steps from the dock area, though there are small rest platforms and guard rails along the way. Once up the stairs, there are beautifully restored trails (of easy to moderate difficulty) that visitors must take to view the castle/arsenal ruins, the gardens and terraces and the Bannerman residence museum. Weather-appropriate clothing and sensible walking shoes are recommended.

• The BCT, with assistance from a West Point Cadet engineering class and the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union installed two state of the art Clivus Multrum Restrooms in 2019.
• A new Pavilion with a small gift shop located next to the historic Bannerman Residence Museum also sells a small selection of food items including snacks, candy, popcorn and beverages.

Wedding ceremonies and events can be held on Bannerman’s Island for 40 people or less between May and October. Prices vary depending on your needs and the day of the week. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Personal photography is encouraged on Bannerman Island. Commercial Photography (any photographs that you sell or utilize on a platform that is commodified) requires a permit and fee from NY State Parks and a donation to The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. The NYS Taconic Region phone number is 845-889-4100.

• Please check the weather and wear appropriate clothing and sensible walking shoes on your tour. Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended prior to boarding the Estuary Steward.
• No outside food or drinks are allowed on the island for theatrical performances and movies, but food can be brought with visitors on regular tours. Please dispose of trash properly in trash and recycle bins.
• Alcohol and smoking (of any kind) are not permitted on Bannerman Island.
• Yes, please bring your camera! Photos for personal enjoyment are encouraged.
• And finally…bring your sense of adventure! This is a unique historic site, and you will not be disappointed.

• Pets, emotional support animals, comfort animals, or therapy dogs are not permitted on site. Only ADA Title III service animals are permitted. Please review the ADA’s service animal regulations for clarification and guidelines.

• Parking is available for free on Friday evenings and weekends in the Beacon Metro North (MTA) parking lot adjacent to the dock on Red Flynn Drive.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you booked for 6pm be there at 5:30pm, and if you booked for 7pm, be there at 6:30pm.

• Regardless of age, all passengers on the Estuary Steward must purchase a seat on the boat, due to Coast Guard regulations.

• Infants, Babes in Arms (or in a carrier) are not permitted on Bannerman Island due to safety regulations. Thank you for your understanding.

• Tours, theatrical events and movies are not recommended for children aged 5 and under.

• The BCT DOES encourage families with children ages 3 and up to attend the Third Sunday Music Concert Self-Guided Tours.

• Most films shown on Bannerman Island have age restrictions due to the content of the film and the length of the visit to the island; we generally do not allow children under the age of 12 to attend Movie Nights.

• Parents and Caregivers must keep strict control of their children while on Bannerman Island due to the difficulty of the terrain, the historical artifacts and overall sensitive nature of the island and the structures.

• Bannerman Island (Pollepel Island has haunting stories that go back to the Dutch Sailors who settled in Fishkill in the 1600s including “The Heer (King) of Dunderberg,” a goblin creature that inhabited the Hudson Highlands from Dunderberg Mountain to Pollepel (Bannerman) Island. The “Heer (King) of Dunderberg (Thunder Mountain)” controlled the Thunder and Lightning and caused sailing ships to sink in the Hudson River. This made the sailors superstitious. For a storyteller’s take visit: The Heer of Dunderberg | The Goblin King on Thunder Mountain, narrated and hosted by Joe McGowan.
• In modern times a denizen of Bannerman Island, Charlie Crawford, whose father Frank Crawford was the Superintendent, tells the story of an old sea captain who haunted the lodge.

• If you are interested in experiencing the beautiful Autumn colors of the Hudson Valley, I Love NY has an interactive map of New York with a full Foliage Report. Please refer to that map for the most accurate information about the status of fall foliage in the Hudson Valley region.

• Yes! Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]. We have a robust group of Bannerman Island Gardeners, and are always in need of more hands for other tasks on the island. Thank you!

• There are no refunds or rescheduling for Bannerman Island tours and activities. Your tickets are guaranteed, therefore the BCT cannot resell your tickets. If you cannot use your ticket, you are welcome to “gift” your ticket to someone else.

• The Estuary Steward tour boat departs RAIN or SHINE. Bannerman Island is still extraordinary and enjoyable in light rain. Please bring rain gear if necessary.  Plastic ponchos are also included for those not prepared.

•  If a guest decides not to take their scheduled tour because of rain or temperature, but the boat and tour still proceed as scheduled, our cancellation policy stands – you will not be able to reschedule your tour or be refunded.

•   If the weather is deemed too severe to proceed with a tour,  the Captain may cancel or postpone a tour.  All ticket holders will be notified as soon as possible (usually 2 or more hours ahead of time) if the captain calls off the tour for safety reasons. All ticket holders will then be rescheduled to a date and time of their choosing.

Bannerman Island tours operate seasonally, from the end of April through late October or sometimes early November.  Tours are primarily held on weekends, many legal holidays and many Friday evenings but this can vary throughout the season – please check the BCT website for specific dates and times at:  bannermancastle.org, thank you!