Bear Mountain State Park
Park State park offering trails, lake, and mountain views
A Hudson Highlands park with hiking trails, picnic areas and reservoir overlooks a short drive from New York City; visitors come for day hikes and river views.
Bear Mountain State Park is a Hudson Highlands park in New York State featuring the summit of Bear Mountain, hiking trails, picnic areas, and recreational facilities along the western shore of the Hudson River. The park is a popular day-use destination for residents of the New York metropolitan region.
Visitors use the park for hiking on sections of the Appalachian Trail, boating and fishing on nearby lakes, picnicking, and using historic picnic and recreation facilities. The park includes a small zoo and museum exhibits oriented to regional natural history and park history.
Developed in the early 20th century as part of regional conservation and recreational initiatives, the park’s infrastructure and roadside facilities were expanded during the era of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and continued to serve visitors through the decades.
Bear Mountain State Park sits in the Hudson Highlands on the west bank of the Hudson River, roughly north of the New York City region and within driving distance of suburban Westchester and Rockland counties.
- Viewing tower and zoo: Perkins Memorial Tower and the Trailside Museums and Zoo are accessible features near the main summit area offering views and small native-animal exhibits.
How to Get to Bear Mountain State Park #
Bear Mountain State Park lies on the west bank of the Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands, about 45-55 miles north of Midtown Manhattan by car. The park is most directly reached by driving via the Palisades Interstate Parkway or I‑87 / US‑6 depending on your route; there is on‑site parking. Public transit options include commuter rail and regional bus connections to nearby towns, but a car is the simplest way to reach park parking areas and trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Bear Mountain State Park #
- Go early on weekdays to avoid the heavy weekend traffic on 9W/US‑6 and to get parking close to the Bear Mountain Inn or Hessian Lake trailheads.
- Park at the Hessian Lake/Inn area when you want quick access to the Appalachian Trail crossing and scenic lakeside walks rather than higher‑elevation picnic lots.
- Most visitors stick to the paved lakeshore and picnic areas; for better views and fewer people, hike the short ridge trails toward Perkins Memorial Tower or continue a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
Best Time to Visit Bear Mountain State Park #
For mild weather and fewer crowds visit in late spring or early fall; fall is best for foliage.
Weather & Climate near Bear Mountain State Park #
Bear Mountain State Park's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1246 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (120 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
