Bear Mountain State Park
A classic day-trip destination in the Hudson Highlands, where you can drive or hike to the summit of Bear Mountain for views over the valley and the Bear Mountain Bridge, with a lake, small zoo and historic inn at the foot.
Established as a state park in 1910, Bear Mountain’s summit is crowned by the Perkins Memorial Tower, which offers views over the Hudson, the Bear Mountain Bridge and, on clear days, the Manhattan skyline. You can drive up Perkins Memorial Drive or hike from the base, as the Appalachian Trail passes through here. At the foot of the mountain are a loop trail around Hessian Lake, a small wildlife centre, a carousel and the Bear Mountain Inn, built in 1915. Parking costs about US$10, and traffic is heavy on autumn weekends.
Opening hours
08:00 to sunset
Nearby sights
- Anthony's Nose
- United States Military Academy (West Point)
- Cold Spring
- Boscobel House and Gardens
- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
- Storm King Art Center
- Bannerman Castle
- Breakneck Ridge