- federation of hiking and environmental
organizations and individuals dedicated to building and maintaining
marked hiking trails and protecting related open space in the bi-state
region. Includes hike descriptions but a little difficult to navigate
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 (845) 786-2701
Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains
rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The historic
Bear Mountain Inn overlooks Hessian Lake and provides fine
food and overnight accommodations. The park features a large
play field, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for
mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a
swimming pool, a zoo and nature, hiking, biking and
cross-country ski trails, and ski-jumps. An outdoor rink is
open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. The
Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords
spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and
Harriman State Park
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway
(north or south): Get off at
exit 19 (Bear Mtn. Park) and take Seven Lakes Drive for
3 ½ miles to the Bear mountain Circle. At the circle,
take the second right. Follow the signs to Parking Lots.
If you miss exit 19, take the Parkway to the Bear
Mountain Bridge Circle. At this circle, make the first
right onto 9W south and go to the traffic light. Bear
right and go up the hill.
From the North via I-87 (NY Thruway):
Take I-87 south to exit 16 (Harriman). At the traffic
light turn left onto Route 32, At third light, turn left
onto Route 6 east. Take Route 6 east to the Queensboro
Traffic circle. At circle, make the third right onto
Palisades Interstate Parkway north. Take exit 19.
From the North via Route 9W:
Take 9W south to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. At the
circle, go ½ way around to Route 9W south. At the first
traffic light bear right and go up the hill. From the
East/South via I-87/287: Cross the Tappan Zee Bridge. Go
north/west to exit 13N (Palisades Interstate Parkway
north). Go 19 miles to exit 19.
From the north via I-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 ½ way around to Route 9W south. At
first traffic light, bear right and go up hill.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a delight for
outdoor enthusiasts. This 14,086 acre park, covering land in
Putnam and Dutchess counties, boasts hiking trails, a
beautiful beach, picnic areas, scenic campground, and
abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and
birding. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor
Education Center which provides high quality environmental
programming and Fahnestock Winter Park which includes 15
kilometers of groomed trails for cross country skiing and
snowshoeing, and an area for sledding.
Hiking Trails
Cross-Boundary Circuit -- Including
trails in Fahnestock State Park and the Hubbard-Perkins
Conservation Area, this
6-mile hike begins on Route 301, at the
south end of Canopus Lake, and proceeds
north on the Appalachian Trail (white).
Turn left onto the Fahnestock Trail (blue)
which leads west to a junction with theCharcoal Burners
Trail (red). Turning left,
follow the Charcoal Burners Trail south to
where the Cabot Trail (white) turns off to
the right. It leads west on a forest road.
Just before the forest road enters a posted
area, which should be avoided, the trail
turns off sharply to the left. Continuing
south, the Cabot Trail enters a field and
ends at the Perkins Trail (yellow), where a
left turn leads over several small ridges
back to the Charcoal Burners Trail (red).
Turn right on this trail, which crosses
Route 301. Continuing south, it crosses
the Old Mine Trail (yellow), then a stream
before ending at the Three Lakes Trail
(blue). Turn left on the Three Lakes Trail,
then left on the Appalachian Trail (white)
and continue back to Canopus Lake.
Taconic State Parkway:
Exit at Putnam County Route 301 west. Proceed
approximately ¼ mile. Park areas are located on both
sides of the roadway.
NYS Route 9:
Take Putnam County Route 301 east. Proceed for
approximately 5 miles. Park areas are located on both
sides of the roadway.
Metro-North:
Commuter train to Cold Spring Station. Please arrange
for taxi service prior to arrival. The park is located
approximately 8 miles from the train station and the
cost for taxi service is approximately $20.00
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 (845) 786-2701
Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange
counties, is the second-largest park in the parks system,
with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails,
three beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group
camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of
wildlife species, vistas and vantage points. Harriman State
Park's major facilities include Lakes
Welch,
Sebago,
Tiorati and
Silvermine, the
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area,
Sebago Cabins and
Beaver Pond Campgrounds
A mostly undeveloped preserve of nearly
6,000 acres, Hudson Highlands State Park consists of a
series of separate parcels of land stretching from
Annsville Creek in Peekskill, north to Dennings Point in
Beacon. The spacious park is perfect for outdoor
activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and
birding. The Hudson Highlands and Hudson River provide
spectacular backdrops for the many activities that can
be enjoyed here.
The park's extensive hiking trail network
includes terrain that varies from easy to challenging.
Trail maps can be obtained at the Clarence Fahnestock
Memorial State Park office. The park’s most well known
trail – Breakneck Ridge was rated by Newsweek as one of
the top 10 day hikes in America. The 5.5 mile Breakneck
Ridge trail rises 1,250 feet in only a ¾ mile stretch.
Please note that camping and use of fire are prohibited
throughout the park
There are many access points to Hudson Highlands State Park.
Please contact the park to obtain directions to the nearest
access point
14
Maintenance Lane
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 (845) 452-1489
James Baird State Park is situated on farmland once owned by
James Baird, a contractor and engineer whose firm
constructed the Lincoln Memorial. In 1939 James Baird
donated the 590 acres of land to New York State under the
stipulation that it be known as James Baird State Park.
There are spacious open and wooded picnic areas and two
picnic pavilions which can accommodate up to 300 people each
by reservation. There is also a sports complex where
visitors enjoy playing basketball, softball, tennis and
volleyball.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find the seven
miles of scenic wooded trails ideal for hiking in the
warm months and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in
the wintertime.
Located in the town of Pleasant Valley in
Dutchess County, midway between New York City and
Albany.
Taconic Parkway:
One mile north of exit for NYS Route 55/Pougkeepsie.
Lake Taghkanic State Park, nestled next to Lake Taghkanic in
the rolling hills and lush forests of Columbia County,
offers a wonderful variety of recreational activities. The
park has tent and trailer campsites and cabin and cottage
camping facilities, two beaches, picnic grounds and a boat
launch. In addition, the park has hiking, biking,
cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Ice skating and ice
fishing are permitted when conditions are appropriate
Adjacent to the Taconic State Parkway, one mile south of the
Route 82 interchange
Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park adjoins Ogden Mills and
Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park and together,
comprise more than one thousand acres. Margaret Lewis Norrie
State Park offers a full menu of exhilarating recreational
opportunities and activities for visitors of all ages. The
numerous trails that thread through the grounds of both
Mills and Norrie State Parks are ideal for walking, jogging,
hiking, cycling, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing –
treating visitors to fabulous views of the Hudson River
which runs directly along the parks’ western boundaries
Located approximately four miles north of
Hyde Park in Dutchess County in the town of Staatsburg.
NYS Thruway:
Exit 19 (Kingston). Cross over the Kingston-Rhinecliff
Bridge and head east on Route 199. Take Route 199 east
to Route 9G south. Take Route 9G to Route 9. Turn right
onto Route 9 and continue south through Rhinebeck.
Staatsburg is approximately 5 miles south of Rhinebeck,
directly off Route 9. Turn right onto Old Post Road and
continue into Staatsburg. Entrance for the park is on
the right
15
Walnut Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522(914) 693-5259
Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park is a linear park
which runs from Van Cortlandt Park at the Bronx County/City
of Yonkers border to the Croton Dam in Cortlandt. In 1987 a
section was reopened to supply the Town of Ossining and in
1992 the Old Croton Aqueduct was awarded National Historic
Landmark Status. The scenic path over the underground
aqueduct winds through urban centers and small communities.
It passes near numerous historic sites, preserves, a museum
highlighting the construction of the Aqueduct, and many
homes. The Aqueduct’s grassy ceiling provides abundant
recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. While
primarily for walking and running, parts of the trail are
suitable for horseback riding, biking (except during “mud
season”), bird watching, snowshoeing, and cross country
skiing.
Approximately 30 miles from the hustle and bustle of New
York City, the Preserve is an idyllic spot for strolling,
jogging, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and
snowshoeing. With 180 recorded species of birds and its IBA
(Important Bird Area) designation by the National Audubon
Society, the Preserve is a must visit area for birders. In
season, licensed anglers enjoy fishing for bass in the 22
acre Swan Lake and for brown trout in the Pocantico River.
In addition the beauty of the Preserve inspires many artists
and photographers to memorialize its scenic vistas.
Taconic Parkway north:
Exit County Route 117 Pleasantville. At end of ramp,
turn left. Proceed through 3 lights. Preserve entrance
will be on the left.
Taconic Parkway south:
Exit NYS Route 100/Route 133 – Millwood/Mt. Kisco west.
Turn left at end of ramp/traffic light onto NYS Route
100. Proceed south until NYS Route 100 joins with NYS
Route 9A. Follow signs to merge onto NYS Route 9A south.
Once on Route NYS 9A south, take 2nd exit – County Route
117/Pleasantville/N. Tarrytown. This is a left side
exit. At end of exit ramp, turn right onto County Route
117 west. Preserve entrance is approximately 2 miles on
the left.
NYS Route 9:
Proceed to County Route 117 east. Preserve entrance is
one mile east on County Route 117 on the right side
Sterling Forest® State Park comprises 17,953 acres of nearly
pristine natural refuge amidst of one of the nation's most
densely populated areas, a remarkable piece of woodland, a
watershed for millions, and a tremendous outdoor recreation
area. This unbroken deep-forest habitat is important for the
survival of many resident and migratory species, including
black bear, a variety of hawks and songbirds and many rare
invertebrates and plants. Hunting, fishing and hiking
opportunities are available
Vistiors Center: From junction of Rtes. 17 & 17A, take 17A
west 1.4 miles to left on Long Meadow Rd (Rte. 84). Go 3.5
miles to right on Old Forge Rd. Center is one mile on right
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Bear Mountain, NY 10911(845) 359-0544
Tallman Mountain State Park comprises wooded country on the
easterly slope of the Palisades uplands overlooking the
Hudson and Piermont Marsh, which lies between the river and
the slope. The marsh is part of the Hudson River National
Estuarine Research Reserve. The park operates as a day-use
area, offering a swimming pool, running track, tennis
courts, playfield, cross country skiing, a walking trail,
hiking and picnic areas
Taconic State Park is located along 11 miles of the Taconic
Mountain Range, sharing a border with Massachusetts and
Connecticut. Two developed areas, Copake Falls and Rudd
Pond, offer an extensive trail system with terrain that
varies from easy to challenging, offering spectacular views
Exit at Claverack-Hillsdale Exit. Take Route 23 east for 8
miles into Hillsdale. Turn right onto Route 22 south and go
4 miles to Copake Falls. Turn left onto Route 344 east. Park
entrance will be ½ mile on the left
Taconic Parkway-
Rudd Pond
Exit at Pine Plains/Red Hook/Route 199. Take Route 199 east
for 15 miles to Route 22. Turn left onto Route 22 north. Go
2 miles to Millerton. Turn right onto Route 44 east for ½
mile. Turn left onto Dutchess County Route 62. The park
entrance will be 2 miles on the right side
