Click to enlarge photo of Hessian Lake at Bear Mountain Park.

Hessian Lake is located in Bear Mountain State Park. Hessian Lake offers a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, rental boats, and lake and river fishing. Looking for fun things to do in the summer? Plan a picnic followed by a boat ride or a hike around Hessian Lake.

Bear Mountain State Park, a 5,000-acre park, is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. Bear Mountain Park, flagship of the Palisades Interstate Park System, is renowned for its natural beauty. The park is located at Bear Mountain, New York 10911, just 45 miles north of New York City in the historic Hudson River Valley.

The park features playing fields, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center, hiking, biking, cross-country ski trails and ski-jumps. Ice-skate at Bear Mountain's outdoor rink open for ice-skating, weather permitting, from late October through mid-March. Also visit Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain. Perkins Point affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park.

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. Bear Mountain is primarily a day-use park with magnificent scenery, photo opportunities and hiking for all levels of hikers.

Things To Do at Hessian Lake in Bear Mountain Park
Boat Launches
Boat Rentals
Fishing (lake and river fishing)
Food
Hiking Trails / Walking
Merry-Go-Round Pavilion
Museum - Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center
Nature Trails
Picnic Tables
Playgrounds
Playing Fields

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Skating
Snowshoeing

Points of Interest for Kids
The Merry-Go-Round Pavilion 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.

Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center
The study of native animals and their habitat at Bear Mountain has a long history. In 1921, the American Museum of Natural History installed a facility at the Boy Scouts headquarters on Lake Kanawauke. Four years later, the same Museum began a program for the study of insects in Harriman State Park. The Commission added a bear den in 1926, which became a small zoo, as the facility took in more injured animals in need of shelter.

Press blue button for directions and more about Lake Tiorati.

Things To Do at Lake Tiorati
Beach
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Campgrounds
Hudson Valley Fishing (NYS fishing license required)
Food
Group Camping
Hudson Valley Hiking
Picnicking
Scout Camping
Showers
Swimming

Winter Activities
Ice Fishing
Ice Skating

Scenic Drives
7 Lakes Drive in Harriman State Park, built in 1913, runs approximately 20 miles between Sloatsburg, NY on the southern end to Bear Mountain State Park on the northern end. A scenic ride along Seven Lakes Drive passes lakes Sebago, Skanatati, Askoti, Kanawauke, Tiorati, Nawahunta and Silver Mine Lake.

Go swimming at Bowline Point Park offering an Olympic size pool with a diving well and wading area, two water slides, a newly re-designed toddler pool, a toddler playground, a handicap accessible water spray area, a handicap accessible playground, one refurbished tennis court, regulation size volleyball courts, walking paths and a fishing pier with a spectacular river view. There are also numerous picnic tables and grills throughout the park for picnics and a covered pavilion and gazebo for parties.

Press blue button for more about activities and hours at Bowline Point Park in Haverstraw, NY.

Things To Do at Bowline Point Park
Fishing pier (scenic views)
Pavilion and Gazebo (Covered area - permits available for parties)
Picnic Tables (Picnicking is available throughout the park)
Playground (Accessible)
Playground for Toddlers
Pools (Olympic size pool and toddler pool
Tennis Court
Volleyball Courts
Walking pathsWater Spray Area

Fishermen enjoy excellent fishing throughout the year, including the winter freeze, when many return for ice fishing on the lake. Lake Askoti also offers excellent bird watching sites.

Each of these lakes offer seasonal activities for the whole family. Find many things to do, including photography, at one or more of these beautiful lakes. Go fishing in spring, summer, and fall; and ice-fishing in the winter. Hike in all seasons. Hiking is especially invigorating in the fall when the air is cooler and you can see the stunning foliage of autumn in New York. Winter hiking can also be great fun and exercise, especially when its time to stop and have a hot drink from your thermos.The lakes that comprise 7 Lakes Drive, offer activities and attractions year round; including swimming, boating, fishing, and fabulous bird watching.

The lakes that comprise 7 Lakes Drive, offer activities and attractions year round; including swimming, boating, fishing, and fabulous bird watching.

Things To Do at Lake Askoti
Bird Watching
Hudson Valley Fishing (NYS fishing license required)
Hiking trails in Hudson Valley

Winter Activities
Ice Fishing

Click to enlarge photo of Lake Skannatati in Harriman State Park.

Lake Skannatati, approximately 36.3 acres in size, is located in Orange County in the Town of Tuxedo, New York. Lake Skannatati is located very near Lake Askoti and is one of 31 lakes and reservoirs in Harriman State Park.

The parking lot, located adjacent to Lake Skannatati, provides convenient parking close to a boat launch site and provides easy access to several hiking trails.

Lake Skannatati offers hiking trails for all levels of hikers, including trails, at varying elevations, around the lake. Launch your boat and enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Fish species present include Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout and Pan fish.

Things To Do at Lake Skannatati
Birding | Bird Watching
Boat Launch Site (next to parking lot)
Boating (canoeing, kayaking, row boats)
Fishing (NYS fishing license required)
Fishing spots in Hudson Valley (NYS fishing license required)
Food
Group Camping
Hiking trails in Hudson Valley

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing

Click to enlarge photo of Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park.

Lake Tiorati Beach in Harriman State Park is located in Orange County, New York

Lake Tiorati was formed by clearing swampland in Harriman State Park and constructing a concrete dam to make two ponds into one large lake. Surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills, the park offers excellent swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking. In winter, if conditions allow, the lake may be used for ice fishing. Bona fide groups may use the pioneer campsites near the lake.

Things To Do at Lake Tiorati Beach
Beach
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Campgrounds
Fishing spots in Hudson Valley (NYS fishing license required)
Food
Group Camping
Hiking trails in Hudson Valley
Picnic Tables
Scout Camping
Showers
Swimming

Winter Activities
Ice Fishing

Directions
Directions: Bear Mountain Bridge to 7 Lakes Drive

1. Head west on US-202 W/US-6 W/Bear Mountain Bridge Rd toward Circle DrContinue to follow US-202 W/US-6 W - 0.4 miles

2. At the traffic circle, continue straight onto US-6 W - 2.6 miles

3. Take exit 18 for US-6 toward NY-17/I-87/Central Valley/Seven Lakes Drive - 0.3 miles

4. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto 7 Lakes Drive - 3.4 miles

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 Point,

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 sits 1,305 feet above the Hudson River, atop Bear Mountain. Perkins Point and Perkins Memorial Tower afford 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. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of many picnic spots that are available along Perkins Memorial Drive.

Kids Attraction - Merry-Go-Round
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.

Kids Attraction - Trailside Museum and Zoo
There are four museums at Trailside. The Reptile and Amphibian House is home to a variety of turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and skinks as well as many species of fish. The Nature Study Museum houses specimens originally created by the Museum of Natural History to educate people about animal identification. Visitors can learn about geologic formations of the Hudson Highlands in the Geology Museum and local Native American and early settler culture in the History Museum.

Things To Do at Bear Mountain State Park
Biking Trails
Boat Rentals
Dockage
Fishing (lake and river fishing)
Food at park and at Bear Mountain Inn
Hiking Trails / Walking
Merry-Go-Round Pavilion
Nature Trail
Perkins Memorial Drive & Tower
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Fields
Pool (very large pool)
Swimming
Trailside Museums
Zoo and Nature Park

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Skating
Snowshoeing

Things To Do
Beach
Boat Launch Sites
Camper Recreation
Campsites
Fishing
Hiking Trails / Walking
Picnic Tables
Showers
Tent & Trailer Sites

Things To Do
Biking Trails in Hudson Valley
Boat Launch Sites
Boat Rentals
Bridle Path / Horseback Riding
Cabins
Campsites
Fishing spots in Hudson Valley
Food
Hiking trails in Hudson Valley
Museum & Visitor Center
Picnic Tables
Playing Fields
Showers
Tent / Trailer Sites

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing

Press blue button for park description, hours of operation, getting there, fees, and more about Harriman State Park.

Things To Do
Food
Hiking Trails
Picnic Tables
Pool
Showers

Things To Do
Beach
Boat launches
Boating (Canoeing, Kayaking)
Fishing spots in the Hudson Valley (NYS fishing license required)
Hiking trails in the Hudson Valley
Picnic tables
Playgrounds
Playing fields
Showers
Swimming

Press blue button for park description, hours of operation, getting there, fees, and more about Lake Sebago Beach at Harriman State Park.

Scenic Drives
7 Lakes Drive in Harriman State Park, built in 1913, runs approximately 20 miles between Sloatsburg, NY on the southern end to Bear Mountain State Park on the northern end. A scenic ride along Seven Lakes Drive passes lakes Sebago, Skanatati, Askoti, Kanawauke, Tiorati, Nawahunta and Silver Mine Lake.

The word is The beach can get very crowded on summer weekends.

Things To Do
Beach
Boat Launch Sites
Boating
Camping (Beaver Pond Campground)
Fishing spots in Hudson Valley
Food
Grills
Hiking trails in Hudson Valley
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
Swimming (2 Olympic sized pools and kiddies pool)
Tennis

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing
Sledding

Note: Accessible indicates that, to the extent practicable, this facility or activity meets the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. It is strongly recommended that you contact the facility in advance for a full description of what you can expect.

Things To Do at Sebago Cabin Camp
Beach
Biking
Boat Rentals
Cabins (Accessible)
Camper Recreation
Fishing
Grills
Hiking
Picnic Tables
Playgrounds
Recreation Programs
Showers (Accessible)Tennis

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing

Things To Do
Biking
Hiking Paths / Walking
Picnic Tables
Playground
Playing Fields
Showers
Swimming (pool)
Tennis

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing