Wallkill Valley facts for kids
The Wallkill Valley is a wide valley located in the southeastern part of New York State and the northwestern part of New Jersey. It's a beautiful area with rolling hills, flat plains, and even some swampy areas, like the famous Black Dirt Region. The valley gets its name from the Wallkill River, which flows right through it.
The Wallkill Valley is actually a smaller part of the much larger Hudson Valley. To its west, you'll find the tall Shawangunk Ridge and Kittatinny Mountains. To the east, it's bordered by the Marlboro Mountains and the New York–New Jersey Highlands.
Exploring the Wallkill Valley's Location
The northern part of the Wallkill Valley is sometimes thought of as being part of the larger Catskills region. However, it's actually separate. The Shawangunk Ridge and the Rondout Valley act like a natural barrier, keeping the Wallkill Valley distinct from the Catskill Mountains.
Wallkill Valley's Place in the Appalachians
In a broader sense, the Wallkill Valley is part of a huge mountain system called the Appalachian Mountains. Specifically, it belongs to a section known as the Ridge-and-Valley area. This means it has long, parallel ridges and valleys. The Catskills, which are further north and west, are part of a different section of the Appalachians called the Appalachian Plateau.
