Parking & Directions

Parking at Bear Mountain State Park costs $10 per vehicle, collected every day of the year: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Drivers from New York City take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to Exit 19 and follow Seven Lakes Drive 3.5 miles to the Bear Mountain Circle. On busy days, especially fall weekends, the lots fill and the park closes to incoming cars, and roadside parking is ticketed and towed.

The Parking Fee

NYS Parks charges a vehicle use fee of $10 at Bear Mountain. The pool, the merry-go-round, boats and the ice rink cost extra. If you visit New York state parks often, the Empire Pass ($80) covers day-use entry at most parks run by State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation for a season.

The lots sit round Hessian Lake, close to the Bear Mountain Inn, the pool, the merry-go-round and the ice rink. From the parking area it is about a 20-minute walk to Trailside Museums & Zoo.

When the Park Fills Up

Bear Mountain is one of the busiest parks in the region, and on peak days it runs out of space. On October 18, 2026, NYS Parks posted that parking was full, the park was closed to incoming visitors and traffic, and that roadside parking was prohibited, with vehicles ticketed and towed. Expect the same on clear weekends in October, when the leaves turn, and on summer holidays.

How to avoid being turned away:

• Arrive early. The fee booth opens at 8 a.m.; the lots fill from late morning on busy days.
• Come on a weekday if you can.
• Check the alerts on the NYS Parks Bear Mountain page before you leave home.
• Never park on the shoulder of Route 9W, Seven Lakes Drive or Perkins Memorial Drive.
• Have a backup. Fort Montgomery has its own lot across Popolopen Creek.

Hotel guests: the Bear Mountain Inn says one vehicle is included in the room rate and suggests bringing your reservation confirmation to show park police if there is a line at the entrance.

Driving Directions

From New York City

Take the upper level of the George Washington Bridge and the first exit onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway north. Drive about 42 miles to Exit 19, bear right onto Seven Lakes Drive for 3.5 miles to the Bear Mountain Circle, take the second right and follow signs to the lots.

From the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287)

Cross the Hudson on the Thruway to Exit 13N for the Palisades Parkway north. It is about 19 miles to Exit 19; continue on Seven Lakes Drive as above. Drivers from New Jersey on the Garden State Parkway join the Thruway at its northern end and follow the same route.

From the north

Take I-87 south to Exit 16 (Harriman), Route 32, then Route 6 east to the Queensboro Traffic Circle and the Parkway north to Exit 19. From Route 17, use Exit 130A to Route 6 east. From I-84, take Route 9W south about 18 miles to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle, take the second right to stay on 9W south, then bear right at the first light and go up the hill.

If you miss Exit 19

Stay on the Parkway to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle, take the first right onto 9W south, and bear right up the hill at the traffic light.

Getting There Without a Car

Bus from Port Authority

Coach USA runs buses from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Bear Mountain Inn. Coach USA listed adult fares of $18.40 one way and $36.80 round trip, with children and seniors at half price, when we checked in October 2026. Departures are few, so check the Coach USA schedule before you plan a day around it. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference notes that the stop at the Inn puts you at the start of the Appalachian Trail, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail and the Major Welch Trail.

Train to Manitou

Metro-North's Hudson Line from Grand Central stops at Manitou, on the east side of the river. From there it is about a 2.5-mile road walk: follow Manitou Station Road to Route 9D, turn right, then turn right again and walk across the Bear Mountain Bridge. Manitou is a small stop, and the Trail Conference warns that the train will not stop for you unless the crew sees you on the platform on the west side of the tracks.

Rideshare

The Bear Mountain Inn says there is no Uber in the area, no shuttle, and that you should not rely on ride-hailing. It suggests local taxi services instead.

Buses and Groups

Tour and group buses need a bus permit from the park before the trip; call (845) 786-2702 ext. 2. In 2026 the park did not accept buses on weekends or holidays from May through October. Groups of 50 or more who are not coming by bus need a picnic permit, requested by letter to the park. See rules and permits.

Accessible Parking

Trailside Museums & Zoo has designated accessible spaces outside its service gate, on the service road off Bear Mountain Bridge Road. Pay the vehicle fee at the main park first and display the ticket on the dashboard.