Scenic Bear Mountain


 Hudson Valley  Scenic Bear Mountain


Scenic Bear Mountain | Orange Orange County
      [4 listings over 2 locations]


Scenic Bear Mountain | Rockland Rockland County
      [6 listings over 1 location]


Scenic Bear Mountain | Ulster Ulster County
      [1 listing over 1 location]



Related Categories:
 Scenic Locations & Drives


Scenic Bear Mountain
Photo Opportunities at Bear Mountain
Hudson Valley

Visit Bear Mountain Park when looking for scenic spots and photo opportunities. Bear Mountain State Park is located in the small town of Bear Mountain and resides in both Orange and Rockland counties. Bear Mountain offers many things to do including beautiful scenery. If you live in New York City take a break and spend a day in the country at Bear Mountain State Park. For overnight stays, the Bear Mountain Inn is located right in the park and is close to many wonderful attractions and activities.

If your hobby is photography or you are a proffessional photographer, the photo opportunities at Bear Mountain are limitless. Magnificent scenery, rugged landscapes, and beautiful Hudson River landscapes set the tone in this very special region of the Hudson Valley. Outstanding scenic opportunities for photographers are present at every turn. Find places to photograph on the hiking trails along the Hudson River and in the hills and mountains of Bear Mountain Park. When its time for lunch, have a picnic at Hessian Lake in Bear Mountain followed by a walk around the lake.

Plan a day trip to Bear Mountain where winter, spring, summer, and fall landscapes are not to be missed. There are also many year round activities and things to do at Bear Mountain Park. The park offers activities, attractions, and wonderful things to do for both kids and adults in every season.

Bring the family to Bear Mountain. While you are photographing the Bear Mountain scenery, the kids can be introduced to a wonderland of nature, scenic landscapes, and the adventure of Bear Mountain Park. Kids of all ages will love the many activities at Bear Mountain Park; including the beach, biking, fishing, nature trails, recreation programs, zoo, and Merry-Go-Round Pavilion. Winter activities include: snowmobiling, snowshoeing, an outdoor rink (from late October through mid-March), and more.After a photo session and other activity treat yourself to lunch or dinner at the Bear Mountain Inn, or just order refreshments at the casual dining areas. Before going home, relax at Hessian Lake and watch the ducks swim by.

Explore the park on a warm spring day when flowers, trees, and the sound of nature are coming alive after the long winter season. Explore Bear Mountain Park where you can take nature walks, hike the Appalachian Trail, go boating on Hessian Lake, take the kids to the Trailside Museum and Zoo, and enjoy many activities and things to do outdoors at Bear Mountain in Rockland County, New York.

Things to do in summer include boating, fishing, and picnics at Hessian Lake and the Hudson River. Bear Mountain is also home to one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the area, so be sure to bring a bathing suit. As the light fades over the lake, relax and watch the ducks take an Evening swim in the lake at Bear Mountain.

Scenic Bear Mountain
Visit Bear Mountain, the flagship of the Palisades Interstate Park System, renowned for its naturally beautiful landscape. The heavily forested Bear Mountain State Park is set against rugged mountains in the historic Hudson River Valley and is virtually a photographer's dream. Everywhere you turn presents new and stunning views; all set in the natural landscape of nature, just 45 miles north of New York City. Imagine!

Lakes, rivers, ponds, forest, hills, and mountains abound at Bear Mountain. This 5000 acre parkland offers stunning sights including Perkins Point, views from the pedestrian walkway of the Bear Mountain Bridge, and the Appalachian Trail.

    Perkins Point and Perkins Memorial Tower
    Hike, bike, or drive up Perkins Drive to Perkins Memorial Tower at the summit of Bear Mountain State Park. Experience breathtaking views as you make your way to the top to Perkins Point. Upon reaching Perkins Point you will be rewarded by one of the most beautiful views imaginable. The steep drive leading to Perkins Memorial Tower is 1,305 feet above the Hudson River. With its 360-degree view you can see the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Storm King, and Fort Montgomery. The observation floor of the tower offers displays describing the distant views, including the mountain ranges of the: Taconics, Ramapo, Shawangunk, and Catskill Mountains.

    The Historic Appalachian Trail
    In 1921, the idea for the Appalachian Trail originated with a volunteer forester Benton MacKaye. Benton conceived the Trail as a refuge from modern stresses, stretching along the spine of the Appalachian mountains, where hikers could re-connect with the natural world.

    On October 7, 1923 the first section of the Appalachian Trail was finished at Bear Mountain. This part of the trail took hikers south to the Delaware Water Gap and served as a model for the many trails that followed. Trails were later joined to comprise the now famous Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain. Today, the Appalachian trail spans 2,167 miles, and is the first National Scenic trail in the United States.

    Of interest to hikers, the historic Appalachian Trail is carried across the Popolopen Suspension Bridge and the Bear Mountain Bridge.

The scenic campground, formed along the park’s natural rock ridges, provides alcoves of privacy and tranquility for campers. Each of the 80 campsites has a picnic table and fire ring. Additionally there is an area for RV camping. On weekends, park staff organizes hikes and craft activities. Movies are shown on Saturday evenings.

Bear Mountain is most easily accessed by car. Although campgrounds and lodging are available, Bear Mountain Park is primarily a day-use park offering magnificent scenery, photo opportunities, and great hiking for all levels of hikers.




Top of Page