Trailside Museums and Zoo, Bear Mountain Inn and Perkins Memorial Drive Opening Saturday, September 2
Parking and Trail Access Remains Limited as Other Repairs Continue
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that popular Bear Mountain State Park facilities will reopen Labor Day weekend following extensive repairs to damage caused by flooding from a major storm on July 9 and 10. The park’s Trailside Museums and Zoo, Bear Mountain Inn and Perkins Memorial Drive will reopen Saturday, September 2, following an extensive recovery effort that included repairs to the treatment plant that provides water to Bear Mountain’s buildings and facilities.
“New York State is making incredible progress in recovering from the destructive force of the July storm, which dumped more than eight inches of rain over a few short hours in parts of the Hudson Valley,” Governor Hochul said. “With crucial repairs now complete, I’m pleased that Bear Mountain State Park and the famed Bear Mountain Inn will reopen for this Labor Day weekend so that New Yorkers can get back to enjoying these popular destinations.”
The Park’s picnic grounds and Hessian Lake loop trail reopened August 23. Additional facilities to be open for Labor Day weekend include:
- Hessian Lake paddle boat rentals
- Bear Mountain Carousel
- Bathrooms and drinking water fountains
- The Trailside Museums and Zoo – opens on Saturday
- South Entrance Road – between US 9W and the Bear Mountain Circle – opens on Saturday
- Seven Lakes Drive from the Palisades Interstate Parkway Exit 19 to Bear Mountain Circle – opens on Saturday
- Perkins Memorial Drive – opens for vehicular access on Saturday
- Bear Mountain Inn guest rooms, restaurant, bar, hiker’s café, and spa all open as of Saturday. Additional information available here: visitbearmountain.com
Parking remains limited. Visitors should plan ahead, including making alternative plans if Bear Mountain fills to capacity.
Many of the Park’s hiking trails were also damaged and will remain closed until repairs can be completed in the coming months. Bear Mountain’s Trail map will be updated on an ongoing basis as repairs are made to help inform visitors about the status of their favorite hikes. The latest version of the map can be viewed here. The Bear Mountain Pool bathhouse was also damaged and is planned to reopen for the 2024 season.
The storm caused widespread damage throughout Bear Mountain and portions of Harriman State Park, including embankment collapses, rock and mudslides, significant washouts along park hiking trails, roads, bridges, and culverts. Repairs were also needed to address significant damage to the Park’s maintenance garage, and carpentry and plumbing shops.
With the assistance of the New York State Office of General Services, contractors have been working non-stop to address the most critical damage. Significantly, the Park could not re-open without repairs to its water treatment facility, which required the replacement of components that were submerged when the plant was flooded during the storm.
State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul, our partners at OGS and DOT and our dedicated staff for fast-tracking these key health and safety repairs to Bear Mountain infrastructure. With well over two million visitors each year, Bear Mountain is a vital destination for people in the region for healthy rest and recreation. I am happy to welcome visitors back for Labor Day weekend and beyond.”
Bear Mountain State Park, a part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC), is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The Park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the Park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November, weather permitting.
About the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Joins us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog.
About the Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Formed in 1900, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission is the nation’s first bi-state entity established to protect and conserve natural lands. Today it manages 21 parks and 9 historic sites spanning over 125,000 acres in New York and Northern New Jersey. PIPC’s early work helped inspire the emerging fields of environmental stewardship and education, pioneered the goal of exposing children to nature through its group campgrounds, and served as a model for the early growth of the national park system. The Commission’s maple and oak leaf logo represents the official state trees of New York and New Jersey.
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