National park · United States
Bear Mountain State Park
Visit Bear Mountain State Park: drive in under 1 h from the Palisades Parkway, hike the Appalachian Trail to Perkins Memorial Tower (2 mi, moderate) for $10 vehicle fee, or take the 1‑hour Bear Mountain Loop (easy) for $5 per person; go early in spring or fall to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1910
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- Approx. 5,000 acres (check).
- Established
- 1910
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Bear Mountain State Park offers short hikes with Hudson River views, a small zoo and museums, and a historic carousel, all within a quick drive from NYC.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1910.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1910
Approx. 5,000 acres (check).
Why go
- Hike the Appalachian Trail with Hudson River views.
- Visit the Trailside Museums and Zoo.
- Ride the historic Merry‑Go‑Round carousel.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JunHeat, occasional thunderstorms
- JulHot, crowds
- AugHot, crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, black bears (sightings rare)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Songbirds, raptorsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From New York City
Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to Exit 6, then follow signs to the park entrance.
45 min–1 h by car
Open the page →
From Palisades Parkway
Exit at Bear Mountain Bridge, follow Service Road to the gate.
5 min
From CoachUSA Short Line
Bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Bear Mountain; walk 10 min to the gate.
1 h 30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance / Service Road | Gate, visitor centre, parking, Trailside Museums and Zoo. | Open with fee. |
| Perkins Memorial Tower area | Short hike to tower with Hudson River outlook. | Open; trail marked. |
| Bear Mountain Loop | Easy 1‑mile loop around the lake, suitable for families. | Open; no fee beyond entry. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from NY State Parks data; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry fee | US$10 | vehicle | Valid for 7 days; covers all attractions. |
| Pedestrian/ bicyclist fee | US$5 | person | Check for seasonal discounts. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NY State Parks – Bear Mountain before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs allowed on trails on leash; no pets in museums or zoo.
- Firearms
- Prohibited within park boundaries.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground; permits required.
Where to stay
In the park
Bear Mountain Inn
15 rooms with lake views; no pets.
In the park
Overlook Lodge
24 rooms, some pet‑friendly.
Near the park
Cold Spring village
Boutique B&Bs and inns a few km south.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Steep stairs at tower low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot and visitor centre are wheelchair accessible.
- Trails vary; Perkins Tower stairs not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile habitats.
- Use refillable water bottles; trash bins are limited.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bear Mountain State Park?
Vehicle entry is $10 per day; pedestrians and cyclists pay $5 per person. Fees cover parking, museums and trail access.
What are the best hikes in Bear Mountain State Park?
The Perkins Memorial Tower loop (2 mi, moderate) and the easy Bear Mountain Loop around the lake are popular. Both start at the main entrance.
When is the best time to visit Bear Mountain State Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; summer can be hot and busy.
Are pets allowed in the park?
Dogs on leashes are permitted on trails but not inside the museums or zoo.
Is camping allowed?
Camping is only in the designated campground with a permit; backcountry camping is not allowed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bear Mountain State Park
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