Rifton New York Map

About Rifton, New York

Rifton is a locality in Ulster County, New York, United States. It is a small community with a population of 541. The population density is 143.9 people per km². Rifton is located at 41.8376°N, 74.0374°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 12561.

Rifton lies cradled by the rolling hills of Ulster County, a place where the Wallkill River, a ribbon of cool, clear water, has etched its course through fertile land. It lies 11.2 miles north-north-west of Poughkeepsie, NY (from Poughkeepsie, NY: bearing 328°T), and is situated 6.5 miles south-south-west of Kingston. The air here, especially in the languid afternoons of late summer, carries the scent of damp earth and sun-warmed pine needles, a subtle perfume that clings to the sturdy oaks and maples lining the roads. Fields, a patchwork of greens and golds depending on the season, unfurl towards the horizon, punctuated by the occasional weathered barn and the quiet hum of unseen life. The landscape itself feels ancient, a testament to the slow, deliberate work of water and ice, now softened by generations of human hands that have coaxed sustenance from its soil. This corner of the Hudson Valley carries the quiet echo of its past, a history woven from the industrious spirit of early settlers and the agricultural bounty they cultivated. Rifton's identity has been shaped by its connection to the Wallkill, a waterway that once powered mills and facilitated trade, its gentle flow now a soothing backdrop to the present-day rhythm of life. While the grand estates of the wider region draw much attention, Rifton maintains a more understated character, its local economy rooted in agriculture and small, independent businesses that serve the surrounding communities. The area is also known for its proximity to the Shawangunk Ridge, a geological marvel that offers a rugged beauty and a haven for hikers and nature lovers, its dramatic cliffs catching the last rays of the setting sun in a spectacle of fiery orange and soft lavender.

About This Rifton Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Rifton, New York — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 41.837593, -74.037363. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Rifton and Ulster County.

Detailed location data for Rifton includes the ZIP code (12487), telephone area code (845), county seat of Ulster County (Kingston), and school district assignment (Kingston City School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Rifton is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.