Orange Turnpike Spring, Tuxedo, NY

## Overview Orange Turnpike Spring is a roadside public drinking spring located in the hamlet of Southfields, within the town of Tuxedo in Orange County, New York. Nestled in the scenic Hudson Highlands region near Harriman State Park, this spring delivers water through a pipe directly to a roadside pull-off, making it one of the more convenient natural water sources in the area. The spring flows year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and has long been used by locals as a source of fresh water. The surrounding landscape is characteristic of the rugged, wooded terrain of southern Orange County — rolling hills, dense hardwood forests, and rocky outcrops shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago. Springs like this one typically emerge where groundwater meets fractures in the ancient Precambrian gneiss and granite bedrock that underlies much of the Hudson Highlands. Visitors have reported that the water tastes clean and refreshing, though no official water quality testing data is publicly available for this spring. ## Directions 1. Travel north on **Route 17** (NY-17) through the Ramapo Pass area toward Southfields. 2. After passing the former **Red Apple Rest** landmark (a well-known historic roadside stop), watch for a fork in the road. 3. **Bear right** at the fork onto **Orange Turnpike**. 4. Follow Orange Turnpike for approximately **¾ mile**. 5. The spring will be on your **right** side. There are no signs marking it, so watch carefully for the pipe and pull-off area. 6. Parking is available on the road shoulder near the spring. **GPS Coordinates:** 41.244572, -74.17588 ## What to Expect Orange Turnpike Spring is a simple, no-frills roadside spring. Water is piped to the edge of the road, so there's no hiking or trail access required — you can pull over and fill your containers right from your vehicle. The spring has no signage, so first-time visitors should rely on GPS coordinates and the directions above to locate it. The shoulder offers enough room for a car or two to park safely. The area is quiet and rural, surrounded by the wooded hills that border Harriman State Park. Because the spring flows continuously throughout the year, it's accessible in all seasons, though winter visitors should be cautious of icy conditions on the road and around the pipe outlet. This is a popular stop for hikers heading to or from the many trails in nearby Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks, as well as for local residents who regularly collect water here. If you're exploring the area, the spring makes a convenient and refreshing stop along the way.