Plan Your Visit

To plan a day at Bear Mountain State Park, arrive early: the park is open dawn to dusk year round with a $10 vehicle fee, but on fall weekends and summer holidays the lots fill and NYS Parks closes the park to incoming cars. Spring and fall bring Perkins Memorial Drive (April to November), summer adds the pool, and winter brings the ice rink. Restrooms are at the visitor center and the Bear Mountain Inn, where you can also eat.

When to Go

Fall (September to November)

The busiest season. Searches for Bear Mountain, Perkins Memorial Tower, Anthony's Nose and Hessian Lake all peak in October. On October 18, 2026, NYS Parks posted that the park had filled and closed to incoming traffic. For foliage timing, the Bear Mountain Inn points visitors to New York State's I LOVE NY fall foliage report. Come on a weekday, or be at the gate soon after 8 a.m. on weekends. Perkins Memorial Drive is open until November 30.

Summer (late June to Labor Day)

The pool opens ($5 cash; in 2026, July 4 to September 7), pedal boats run daily, and the Inn's car show takes over Wednesday evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. Hot weekends and holidays fill the lots.

Winter (December to March)

The ice rink is open, the merry-go-round runs on weekends, and Trailside Museums & Zoo stays open (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Perkins Memorial Drive is closed; NYS Parks lists snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when there is snow.

Spring (April to May)

Perkins Memorial Drive reopens April 1, the zoo returns to 4:30 p.m. closing, and boats run on weekends. Quieter than fall.

A One-Day Itinerary From New York City

1. Leave early. Drive the Palisades Interstate Parkway to Exit 19, or take the Coach USA bus from Port Authority to the Bear Mountain Inn. See parking & directions.
2. Morning: walk the paved 1.5-mile Hessian Lake loop, then the 20-minute walk to Trailside Museums & Zoo (opens 10 a.m.).
3. Lunch: the Hiker's Café at the Bear Mountain Inn, or a picnic in the groves by the lake.
4. Afternoon: drive up Perkins Memorial Drive for the view (April to November), or hike the 3.9-mile loop if you are fit. In summer, swap in the pool.
5. Before dusk: a ride on the merry-go-round, or a look at the Bear Mountain Bridge.

History lovers can add Fort Montgomery (Wednesday to Sunday, mid-April to October).

Restrooms and Food

The Palisades Parks Conservancy lists restrooms in the visitor center and at the Bear Mountain Inn. Food: the Inn's Hiker's Café (breakfast and lunch), Restaurant 1915 (lunch and dinner), and Stand 10, a seasonal weekend stand from March to October. Bring cash for the pool and the zoo donation.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on a leash of 6 feet or less, but not in buildings, picnic areas, bathing areas, on walkways, or in Trailside Museums & Zoo. That rules out much of the lakeside area, so dog owners do better on the trails. See rules.

Accessibility

• Hessian Lake loop: 1.5 miles, paved.
• Trailside: paved path from the parking area and through the zoo, though hilly; accessible parking by the service gate.
• Perkins Memorial Platform: an ADA-accessible viewing area at the summit, beside the tower.
• Lodging: every Stone Cottage at the Inn is ADA accessible.

For other questions, call the park office at (845) 786-2701.

What to Bring

Cash, water, snacks or lunch money, layers, sturdy shoes for any trail, and a downloaded copy of the NYS Parks trail and closure maps. Check the park alerts on the morning you leave.

Weather

The Bear Mountain Inn suggests checking the forecast for Tomkins Cove, NY. Storms can close trails, the rink and Perkins Memorial Drive.