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Click to enlarge photo of Early Fall at the Bear Mountain Bridge.
	The Bear Mountain Bridge is a toll suspension bridge in New York State, carrying US-6 and US-202 across the Hudson River, from Bear Mountain State Park (at the northern tip of Rockland County) to the northwestern corner of Westchester County. The western approach to the bridge actually lies on the border of Orange County and Rockland County.
The Bear Mountain Bridge was completed in 1924; making it the longest suspension bridge in the world. A couple of years later, in 1926, the Benjamin Franklin (Philadelphia-Camden) suspension bridge became the longest suspension bridge in the world.
Click to enlarge photo of the Bear Mountain Bridge Tablet. This Tablet hangs on the wall of the Bear Mountain Bridge Toll Plaza. BEAR MOUNTAIN BRIDGE The first highway bridge to span the Hudson River South of Albany Begun March 24th 1923 - opened Nov. 27th 1924 To all who With thought labor and loyalty have Contributed to the construction of This bridge and highway This tablet is inscribed Total length of bridge = 2257 ft.    Length of suspended span = 1632 ft. Height of towers = 355 ft. Clear height above river = 153 ft. Diameter of cables = 18 ins. Number of wires in each cable = 7252
The roadway of the Bear Mountain Bridge has eight-foot-wide shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge also carries the Maine-to-Georgia Appalachian Trail. Crossing the bridge on foot offers magnificent views, wonderful photo opportunities, and an invigorating walk. For equally beautiful views, walk both sides of the bridge. From the walkway of the bridge, face northwest, and you can see 3 more bridges: the Popolopen Suspension Bridge, the Popolopen Creek Suspension Footbridge, and the MTA train tracks. All of these bridges cross Popolopen Creek.
Click to enlarge photo of View of the Hudson River from Bear Mountain Bridge.
	Look ahead, facing north, as the Hudson River moves toward the hamlets of Manitou, a Metro North train stop, and Garrison, also an MTA train stop. Garrison on the water faces West Point. Look east and you will see the mountain known as Anthony's Nose, 900 feet up.
The Appalachian Trail is America's first National Scenic Trail. The trail stretches from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It was originally conceived as a greenway between these states in the 1920's and has become the most popular trail for day-hikers and thru-hikers alike that want to see the scenic wonders of the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail is approximately 2160 miles; it is a well-maintained hiking only trail and has shelters conveniently spaced for overnight stays. Popolopen Creek Popolopen Creek is a stream that is mostly fed by Lake Popolopen, Stillwell Lake, and Weyant's Pond. Eventually, the creek drains into the Hudson River. In 2002, New York's Governor George Pataki, dedicated a long suspension foot bridge that spans Popolopen Creek. The footbridge connects the trail between the twin forts of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, carrying the Appalachian Trail on the western side of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Popolopen Creek Suspension Footbridge The Popolopen Creek Footbridge, for pedestrians only, was designed to create an economic and esthetically pleasing river crossing of 140m on the Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain Park. You can access the bridge on a path near the Bear Mountain Bridge toll booths. However, the Popolopen Creek footbridge is most easily accessed through Fort Montgomery. Just park your car at the Fort Montgomery Visitor Center off 9W, north of the Bear Mountain Bridge, and walk down to Popolopen Creek.
The American Revolution in the Hudson River Valley Fort Montgomery is just north of Popolopen Creek in Bear Mountain State Park. Fort Montgomery and its sister fort, Fort Clinton, were the scenes of fierce American Revolutionary War battles for control of the Hudson River and the Hudson Highlands. On October 6, 1777, the British captured both Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery. Read excerpts from several moving accounts of the American Revolution and the battles that captured Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. Today, Fort Montgomery is an archeological site and a historic ruin. Fort Montgomery State Historic Site is a genuine vestige of our nation's struggle for independence. Visitors will see the actual foundations of the fort's buildings and remains of the fort's earthworks. Visit Fort Montgomery and tour the remains of the 14 1/2 acre fortification, perched on a cliff overlooking the Hudson River.

Ice Activities and Attractions
Birthday Parties
Ice Rental
Skate Rentals

Ice Skating
Figure Skating in the center of the rink
Public Skating

Ice Hockey
Hockey Club

Press blue button for session hours and fees, holiday hours, skate rentals, private rental, birthday parties, hockey club, figure skating and more about ice skating at the Bear Mountain Ice Rink. Call (845) 786-2701 ext. 266 for more about ice skating at the Bear Mountain Ice Rink.

Hessian Lake at Bear Mountain Park offers activities such as: fishing, paddle boat and rowboat rentals, and picnicking at Hessian Lake. For more activities and attractions go to Bear Mountain State Park.

Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, a zoo and nature, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails, and ski-jumps. An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park.

Things To Do
Boat Rentals
Fishing
Hiking around the lake
Nature Trail
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Field(s)
Pool

Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing
Ice Skating

The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain features hand-painted scenes of the park while the merry-go-round itself features 38 carved renditions of Hudson River Valley animals, including raccoons, bear, deer, eagles, foxes, river otters, and bobcats.

Its rounding boards illustrate the park's early history with hand-painted scenes of the Hudson River, Perkins Tower, Bear Mountain Inn, etc. The music played during the rides was recorded at an original carousel in Rochester, New York, from a 1926 Wurlitzer Pipe Band Organ. Both parents and kids can select their favorite animal and enjoy a ride on this wonderful Merry-Go-Round.

The Journal News reported: "Tradition goes out the window at the Bear Mountain merry-go-round. Riders may perch themselves on the back of a frog, who sports a jaunty vest and bow tie. Then there’s that charming bear who has a honeycomb strapped onto his back, unaware of the bumblebee about to take a taste. This is not your everyday merry-go-round. The Bear Mountain merry-go-round was designed to represent the native animals in the Hudson River Valley. In addition to the animals, two highly decorated benches on the merry-go-round offer another way to ride, while also being easily converted into accessible seating for those in wheelchairs."

A Bit of History about the Merry-Go-Round
The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain State Park is a building anchored in a distinguished history. The stone-and-timber pavilion reflects the Adirondack "Great Camp" architectural style that became the model for other Palisades Park buildings such as the 1915 Bear Mountain Inn and, later, the National Park System. The 8,000-square-foot pavilion includes a viewing area, fireplace hearth, catering facilities for small receptions, and snacks and restrooms.

Today's Trailside Museums and Zoo occupy 40-acres on a bluff 250 feet over the Hudson River. The trails, including the first section of the Appalachian Trail, are among the oldest in the country; they link the various homes of Samantha, the eagle, and other birds of prey, the bear den, as well as habitats for beavers, a river otter, foxes, coyotes, and more.

Children enjoy the various presentations of indigenous wildlife, geology and herpetology. On display are Native American artifacts, models of Revolutionary War battles fought on-site, and an exhibit of the origins of the Boy Scouts, and four Museum buildings. See the bald eagle, black bear, owl, river otter and more animals local to Bear Mountain.

The Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center also highlight the history of the area. Learn about the importance of Bear Mountain in the American Revolutionary War. Visit historic 1777 & 1779 Trails that retrace the routes taken by the British army during the American War of Independence. Visit Fort Montgomery, a Revolutionary War fort built to defend the Hudson Highlands and protect American control of the Hudson River and learn about the Battle of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton.

Young children, older children, and adults all enjoy visiting each of the Museum buildings that house different exhibits. Visit the Local Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish Museum, the Geology Museum, History Museum and Nature Study Museum.