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Bear Mountain State Park - 19 August, 2007
Bear Mountain: views and more
At the scenic overlook off Perkins Memorial Drive, the Hudson River and Iona Island during a hot and hazy morning at Bear Mountain State Park.Times Herald-Record/DOMINICK FIORILLEAugust 19, 2007
So maybe it's not the most originalid idea. If you're from the area, Bear Mountain State Park is so familiar it falls in the same category as the Statue of Liberty: a place you drag out-of-town relatives but don't actually think to visit on your own.
Well, think again. Pound for pound, this picturesque little park is a champ among Hudson Valley tourist spots, packing more wallop in its 5,000 acres than you might expect — all for reasonable prices. And all in a simple way that leaves nature front-and-center.
"We don't want to add things that are too modern, because it's a historic park," says park manager Ron Peters. "We don't want to add a water park."
Start with the views. As you descend into the park from the Palisades Interstate Parkway, swing a sharp left onto Perkins Memorial Drive and wend your way uphill to the crest of Bear Mountain. Then park and look down on creation.
Behold the Hudson River and the rolling, green Taconic Mountains on the other side. On a clear day, you can make out the Manhattan skyline if you gaze south and squint.
Depression-era workers are responsible for all of this. Put to work by the federal government, some 1,500 men used 50,000 tons of dynamite to build the road and erect a five-story stone tower, which opened in 1934. The top floor is an observation room, open to the public.
Not too many bells and whistles here. Just a quiet place with minimal human intrusions where you can stand and gawk at nature, snap some pictures or throw down a picnic blanket and eat
Had a good view? All right, back in your car. Return to Seven Lakes Road and continue descending into the park. Fork over $6 for parking.
Now, what to do? If you've got young kids, just off to one side is an old-fashioned carousel — actually built in 2001 — with hand-carved horses, bears and turkeys. Saddle up for $1 a ride. On the opposite side of the big field is Hessian Lake, where you can drop a fishing line in the water or set out in a paddle boat or rowboat ($5 per person per hour).
More awaits in the park's Trailside section: a few small museums, each made of stone during the Depression; and a zoo with rescued animals that cannot be returned to the wild, including an adult bear and two cubs. The zoo and museums cost $1 for adults and 50 cents for children ages 6-12; younger kids get in free.
Moving on: Outdoorsy types can set out on hiking trails, including the section of the Appalachian Trail that crosses the park. For a close-up of the Hudson, head down to the dock. To spot some interesting birds, drive over to Iona Island, a former Navy installation that became part of the park in 1965.
Did you bring your bathing suits? The swimming pool costs $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12 (no charge for younger kids).
And one final attraction: This might come as no surprise if you love classic cars, but the park has been holding a "car cruise" on Wednesday nights for the last several years. For $2 a car, visitors can park on the big field and admire all the other carefully restored beauties.
A deejay pumps out the appropriate '50s tunes. Vendors sell hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream. Kids jump around in a "bounce house." It has become a popular event: On a busy night, as many as 1,000 vehicles cover the field.
How to get there
From Route 17 east: Get off at Exit 130A, just before the Thruway entrance in Harriman, and follow Route 6 to the Palisades Interstate Parkway north. Get off at Exit 19 and take Seven Lakes Drive for 3½ miles to the Bear Mountain Circle. At the circle, take the second right and follow the signs to parking lots.
From the north via Route 9W: Take 9W south to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. At the circle, go halfway around to Route 9W south. At the first traffic light, bear right and go up the hill.
From the north via Interstate 84: Take I-84 west to the second exit after the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (Route 9W south). Take Route 9W south about 18 miles to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. At the circle, go halfway around to Route 9W south. At first traffic light, bear right and go uphill.
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A View for Generations
Palisades Interstate
Park System
MAP
Bear Mountain
Attractions
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Bear Mountain
Suggested Hikes
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