National park · United States
Palisades Interstate Park
Enter the Palisades for a day: drive to the main gate, pay the $7 vehicle fee, hike the Giant Stairs loop (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) before noon, and visit the overlook before crowds build.Enter the Palisades for a day: drive to the main gate, pay the $7 vehicle fee, hike the Giant Stairs loop (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) before noon, and visit the overlook before crowds build.
- 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
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
approximate
Established
1900
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing 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.
- Mid-Atlantic ↗Amtrak Northeast Regional is the workhorse; Acela is faster and costs much more. Book ahead for the cheapest seats.
- Mid-Atlantic ↗I-95 carries heavy tolls, especially in Delaware; a rental car with an e-toll tag avoids cash lanes.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
- Park covers about 12.5 km² of cliffs and forest along the Hudson River (approximate).
- Established
- 1900
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
The Palisades Interstate Park protects dramatic Hudson River cliffs, offering short family‑friendly trails, scenic overlooks and historic sites just north of the George Washington Bridge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1900.
Size and age
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²) · national park since 1900
Park covers about 12.5 km² of cliffs and forest along the Hudson River (approximate).
Why go
- Cliffside views over the Hudson River.
- Short, well‑marked trails suitable for families.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, red fox, various songbirdsMar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, parking, restrooms, and trailheads. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Giant Stairs trail | 2 km (1.2 mi) loop with stone steps and views of the Hudson.1.2 mi (2 km) loop with stone steps and views of the Hudson. | Open; no permit needed. |
| Palisades Overlook | Scenic viewpoint with benches and interpretive signs. | Open; reachable from the main trail network. |
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 Wikidata for the park centre; approximate for trailheads.
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$7 | vehicle | Paid at the main gate; same rate for cars and motorcycles. |
| Pedestrian entry fee | US$2 | person | If arriving on foot or bike. |
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$7
- US$2
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 The Palisades – NJ Palisades Park Organization before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on designated trails only.
- Camping
- Not permitted within the park; use nearby campgrounds outside the boundary.
- Firearms
- Prohibited on park grounds.
Where to stay
Near the park
Edgewater, NJ
Hotels and B&Bs 5 km (3.1 mi) from the park gate.Hotels and B&Bs 3.1 mi (5 km) from the park gate.
Near the park
Fort Lee, NY
Budget inns and apartments within 3 km (1.9 mi) of the main entrance.Budget inns and apartments within 1.9 mi (3 km) of the main entrance.
Safety
Steep steps on Giant Stairs medium
Heat in summer 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 have wheelchair‑accessible routes to the main overlook.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile cliff vegetation.
- Carry out all litter; no trash bins at viewpoints.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Palisades?
Vehicle entry is $7 per car; pedestrians and cyclists pay $2 each. Fees are paid at the main gate.
What are the best hikes in Palisades?
The Giant Stairs loop (2 km, easy) and the Palisades Overlook trail (1 km, easy) offer the best views with minimal effort.
When is the best time to visit Palisades?
April to October provides mild weather and clear views; spring and early fall are especially pleasant.
Are dogs allowed?
Leashed dogs are permitted on designated trails; they are not allowed on the Overlook.
Can I camp inside the park?
No. Camping is prohibited; use nearby municipal campgrounds.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Palisades Interstate Park
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