Overview
Bear Mountain State Park is in Rockland and Orange counties in New York, United States of America.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bear Mountain State Park
Trailside Museums And Zoo
Outdoor enclosures and many small museum buildings.
Merry-Go-Round
This carousel has 42 carvings themed around local wildlife, such as bears, rabbits, and deer.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Mar. (climate data from nearby Briarcliff Manor)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SWF New York Stewart International Airport, Newburgh — 14 mi away. Directions
- HPN Westchester County Airport, White Plains — 23 mi away. Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions
The park is at the northern terminus of the Palisades interstate Parkway.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Trailside Museums And Zoo
- Afternoon Merry-Go-Round
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Bear Mountain has also been called "Bear Hill" and "Bread Tray Mountain".
History
Doodletown was a settlement now within the bounds of the park.
Landscape
Bear Mountain State Park is situated on the west bank of the Hudson along the Appalachian Trail.
Flora and fauna
Climate
Get in
The park is at the northern terminus of the Palisades interstate Parkway.
CoachUSA's Short Line provides bus service from New York City.
Fees and permits
It costs $10 per vehicle to enter.
See
Do
Do Merry-Go-Round
This carousel has 42 carvings themed around local wildlife, such as bears, rabbits, and deer.
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Nearby
Highlands
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
Peekskill
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
Stony Point
City / town · 17 listings · 5 mi away
Central Valley-Harriman
City / town · 4 listings · 6 mi away
Cortlandt
City / town · 6 mi away
Cold Spring
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
Croton-on-Hudson
City / town · 14 listings · 10 mi away
New Windsor
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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