Lakes, ponds, forest, hills, and mountains abound at Bear Mountain. Bear Mountain is heavily forested, offering the natural beauty of sights such as Perkins Memorial Tower.

Of interest to hikers, the historic Appalachian trail is carried across the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Popolopen Suspension Bridge. Although campgrounds and lodging are available, Bear Mountain Park is primarily a day-use park offering magnificent scenery, photo opportunities, and great hiking for all levels of hikers. The historic Bear Mountain Inn, situated in Bear Mountain Park, overlooks Hessian Lake and provides food and overnight accommodations. Food is also available at several vendors around Hessian Lake and in other areas of the park.

Bear Mountain Park attractions and activities include: a large playing field, picnic groves, rowboat docks on Hessian Lake, swimming pool and bathhouse, nature trails including key segments of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Long Path, basketball court, Trailside Museums and Zoo, Iona Island Estuarine Reserve and Bird Refuge, Perkins Tower, and the Merry-Go-Round. Many winter activities are available at Bear Mountain Park, including an outdoor rink that is open for ice skating from late October through mid-March.

Perkins Memorial Tower, atop Bear Mountain, affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Driving, biking, or hiking along Perkins Memorial Drive offers breathtaking views from many vantage points leading to Perkins Memorial Tower perched at the top of the mountain. Don't forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of many picnic spots that are available along Perkins Memorial Drive.

Special attraction for kids: The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain features hand painted scenes of the park and 42 hand carved seats of native animals including: black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit and more.

Things To Do
Biking
Boat Rentals
Dockage
Fishing (lake and river fishing)
Food at park and at Bear Mountain Inn
Hiking Trails / Walking
Merry-Go-Round Pavilion
Museum/Visitor Center & Gift Shop
Nature Trail
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Fields
Pool
Zoo and Nature Park

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Skating

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.

Activities and Attractions at Bear Mountain Park
Biking
Boat Rentals
Fishing
Hiking
Ice Skating
Merry-Go-Round
Museum
Nature Trail
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Field(s)
Pool

Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing

Piermont Pier offers beautiful views and excellent springtime fishing. Rental boats, canoes, and kayaks, are available in the immediate area.

Piermont Pier extends one mile across the Hudson River, from Rockland toward Westchester County. You can bike, walk, jog, or drive (with a yearly parking permit) to the end of the pier. Fishing along the pier is popular (check the fishing rule limits) and often very rewarding, especially during the spring run of stripers.

Piermont Marsh
Piermont Marsh, part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Department of Environmental Conservation, is located on the west shore of the Tappan Zee Bridge, in the village of Piermont, Orangetown, Rockland County, NY. The site occupies two miles of shoreline south of the mile-long Erie Pier and includes the mouth of Sparkill Creek and extensive tidal shallows. For information about flora (plant life), fauna (animal life) and endangered species at Piermont Marsh, visit Hudson River Reserve, New York, Piermont Marsh Component.

Click to enlarge photo of Bench on Piermont Pier.

For your comfort, benches have been placed frequently on both sides of the path. Walk to the end of the pier as mild to strong breezes keep the air cool and delightful; even on the warmest days of summer. For summer evening and early morning walks you may need a light jacket.

Facing Westchester County, with Rockland County behind you; look to your left and see Hook Mountain in Nyack (another scenic spot along the Hudson River), the Tappan Zee Bridge, and Westchester County on the east side of the Hudson River. With Westchester County straight ahead, look to the right and you can see the New York City skyline; and the Piermont Marsh is to the far right.

Piermont Pier
Piermont Pier is located in Piermont, New York, Rockland County in the Hudson River Valley.
The pier is open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm all year.
Parking is available at the beginning of the pier. Yearly passes that allow you to drive out on the pier are also available (but book early as they are limited).

Restaurants near Pier at Piermont
Several good restaurants (and a few exceptional restaurants) ice cream shops, and a coffee cafe, are located near Piermont Pier. Find more activities, attractions, and things to do in Rockland County and the beautiful Hudson River Valley.

Things To Do
Beach
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Fishing
Food
Group Camping
Hiking / Walking
Picnic Tables
Scout Camping
Showers

Winter Activities
Ice Fishing

Things To Do
Boating
Camping (Beaver Pond Campground)
Fishing
Hiking
Picnicking
Swimming

Winter Activities
Ice Fishing
Snowmobiling

The park offers two Olympic-sized swimming pools and two kiddies pools for swimming on the hot days of summer. After a swim, enjoy a picnic at the picnic tables and grills. The park also offers a car-top boat launch and boat rentals, hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley, six tennis courts and two golf courses. Anglers can fish Rockland Lake for bass, perch and norlunge; walkers and joggers can use the fitness trail around the lake. Winter visitors enjoy designated cross-country ski trails and sledding slopes.

Things To Do
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Boat Rentals
Fishing
Food
Golf
Hiking Trails / Walking
Nature Trail
Picnic Tables
Playground
Pool
Sledding
Tennis

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing