It serves the hamlet of Manitou in the southwestern corner of Philipstown in Putnam County, New York.

Like these stations, it serves mainly hikers visiting nearby state parks in the Hudson Highlands.

There is no elevated platform and facilities at the station, one of two on the line adjacent to a grade crossing, are limited to a small shelter with the current schedule posted inside.

[4] The station has two short low-level side platforms, which are each long enough for just one door of one car to receive and discharge passengers.

[5]: 5 The Manitou station was featured in the television series Girls, in the episode "Video Games," in which Lena Dunham's character Hannah accompanies Jessa on a visit to her estranged father.