Bear Mountain State Park

The animal for whom Bear Mountain was named is on exhibit at the park's wildlife center.

Artists and hikers alike enjoy the beauty of Bear Mountain State Park.

Bear Mountain State Park, one of the most popular parks in the East, offers some of the best views of the Hudson River Valley. On a clear day, visitors can glimpse the Manhattan skyline, 45 miles to the south.

Attractions include many miles of marked hiking trails, including an original section of the Appalachian Trail, and boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking. In the winter, visitors enjoy ice skating, cross country skiing and sledding.

Attractions unique to Bear Mountain are its Trailside Museums and Zoo, which is open daily throughout the year, and the enclosed Bear Mountain Merry-Go-Round, which is open weekends year-round and daily during the summer.

Although the famous Bear Mountain Inn is currently closed for renovations, rustic lodging is available at Overlook Lodge, nestled in the woods overlooking Hessian Lake.

Bear Mountain is bordered on the east by the Hudson River, and on the south and west by Harriman State Park, offering many additional recreational opportunities.