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

Brief History: Saving Hook Mountain and the Tappan Zee Riverfront
In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, quarrying, which started on the Jersey Palisades, spread upriver, threatening to deface Hook Mountain on the Tappan Zee and the entire riverfront . . . In 1872, the erection of a stone crusher at Hook Mountain signaled the beginning of large-scale operations. By 1900, this and 31 smaller quarries between Piermont and Nyack were operating. Sentiment was growing to stop this defacement . . .

George W. Perkins, president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, played an instrumental role in influencing the philanthropists of his time as to the importance of preserving the Palisades. He believed the forested Highlands of the Hudson, famous for their scenery and as Revolutionary strongholds, would become a recreational resource for the people of the metropolitan district. The acquisition of Hook Mountain by the Commission was made possible by generous contributions by members of the Harriman, Perkins, and Rockefeller families, who have been adding to park holdings even up to the present time. Press Blue Button for entire text from New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

Visit Perkins Point, built in tribute to George Perkins. At Perkins Point you will experience spectacular views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, West Point, Storm King, and Fort Montgomery. Four states are visible (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania), including the New York City skyline.

Park Attractions and Activities

Biking
Beautiful views as you bike along the Hudson River's edge. The bike path follows the river's edge from Haverstraw Beach State to Nyack Beach State Park in Upper Nyack. For more biking trails, visit biking in the Hudson River Valley.

Bird Watching
Hook Mountain State Park is best known as a hawk watch site. More about the Audubon Society and great spots for Birding.

Hiking
Enjoy scenic landscapes while hiking along the banks of the Hudson River.

Things To Do
Biking
Hiking Trails / Walking
Picnic Tables
Playing Fields

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing

Things To Do
Beach
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Boat Rentals
Bridle Path / Horseback Riding
Campsites
Fishing
Food
Hiking
Museum & Vistor Center
Picnic Tables
Playing Fields
Showers
Tent / Trailer Sites

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing

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
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Fishing
Hiking Trails / Walking
Picnic Tables

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing

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

Outdoor Activities
Biking
Hiking Paths / Walking
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Fields
Pool
Showers
Tennis

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing