Bear Mountain Blog

Visit Bear Mountain! This is your chance to squeeze the very last drops out of summer. Just under two hours from New York City, Bear Mountain State Park gives you room to breathe – towering views from rocky summits, cool breezes off Hessian Lake, and trails that feel a world away from city streets.

Add in live music, a hand-carved carousel, and a little history woven into every corner, and you’ve got the perfect mix of adventure and nostalgia to cap off the season.

Hike, Paddle, and Play Before the Season Ends

1. Friday Evenings with Live Music & Sunset Vibes – Between June 6 and September 19, 2025, the park’s lawn turns into a lakeside festival with Fridays@5. From 5 to 8 p.m., you can enjoy free live music, lawn games, food vendors, and spectacular summer sunsets reflecting on Hessian Lake. It’s casual, it’s fun, and it feels like the perfect way to stretch out the season just a little longer.
2. Panoramic Views at Perkins Memorial Tower – Whether you hike the switchbacks or take a scenic drive, reaching the top of Perkins Memorial Tower is a must. At 1,289 feet, the stone tower delivers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley that stretch all the way to Manhattan on a clear day. Sunrise and sunset both light up the sky in unforgettable ways, and the overlook itself is one of the crown jewels of Bear Mountain State Park.
3. Trailside Museums and Zoo: Wildlife Meets Appalachian Trail – Along the Appalachian Trail, you’ll stumble upon a unique blend of nature and history at the Trailside Museums and Zoo. It features four mini museums covering local geology, Native American heritage, and Revolutionary War history, plus a small zoo where rehabilitated wildlife like owls, eagles, bears, and turtles find a safe home. It’s educational, low-key, and a hit with families.
4. Boating on Hessian Lake & Carousel Charm – For a playful side of summer, rent a paddleboat on Hessian Lake or wander to the hand-carved carousel. The carousel’s animals aren’t your usual horses; they’re native Hudson Valley creatures like deer, raccoons, and bobcats. Both experiences bring out your inner kid, and they’re perfect for winding down after a long hike.
5. Escape the City for a Day Trip Under Two Hours – The beauty of Bear Mountain State Park is how close it is to New York City. In about an hour, you can swap subways and skyscrapers for forest trails, picnic tables, and mountain air. Families, couples, and solo hikers all find something to love, whether it’s a peaceful paddle, a challenging hike, or just a blanket on the grass.

What Makes Bear Mountain State Park Special?

What makes Bear Mountain State Park special is how it blends recreation with history. The Bear Mountain Inn, built in 1915, has been hosting guests for over a century, offering a rustic but elegant place to rest and refuel. The park’s legacy as a training ground for baseball legends, its scenic roads, and its connection to the Appalachian Trail all add layers of character.

Between the views at Perkins Memorial Tower and the hands-on learning at the Trailside Museums and Zoo, it’s the kind of park that speaks to both adventure seekers and history buffs. For official updates, maps, and current conditions, check the New York State Parks: Bear Mountain State Park page before your trip.

Plan Your Escape Before Summer Slips Away

Picture it: you’ve just hiked up to Perkins Memorial Tower, snapped photos of a Hudson Valley sunset, then paddled across Hessian Lake before heading to the carousel with your kids. Maybe you end the evening at Fridays@5, with live music drifting through the trees as the sky fades into twilight. It’s everything summer should be: relaxed, joyful, and free.

Plan your trip today at visitbearmountain.com.