Putnam County is increasingly considered part of Downstate New York, as it is a forty-five to fifty minute drive to Times Square and Grand Central Terminal is a one hour train ride away.
The terrain of the county is generally hilly. The region of the county nearest the Hudson River is especially so, and is part of the Hudson Highlands.
The highest point in Putnam County is Scofield Ridge, with four summits at approximately 1,540 feet (469 m) above sea level. Points of interest include Chuang Yen Monastery, located in Kent and home to the largest Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere as well as the only library in the United States specializing in Buddhist history; Clarence Fahnestock State Park, a 14,000-acre park with trails for walking and hiking; and Thunder Ridge Ski Area, a small ski resort located in Patterson.
