Bear Mountain State Park - Tomkins Cove, NY
Bear Mountain State Park: A Dog-Friendly Haven in Tomkins Cove, NY
Situated in the scenic Hudson Highlands, Bear Mountain State Park is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and dog owners near Tomkins Cove, New York. The park features a wide range of activities including pet-friendly trails, stunning panoramic views from Perkins Memorial Tower, lakeside walks, well-maintained picnic areas, and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it an ideal spot for families and their furry companions. Dogs are welcome throughout the park, and you’ll see plenty of happy pups enjoying the hiking trails or relaxing by the water with their owners.
Whether you’re seeking dog-friendly hiking, easy riverside strolls, or a place to unwind with breathtaking views, Bear Mountain offers something for everyone. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, boating, camping, a small zoo, a swimming pool (fee), and numerous seasonal events. The park is especially noted for its clean grounds, accessible picnic areas, and the welcoming community of dog lovers and nature enthusiasts. Arriving early is recommended due to limited parking on busy weekends.
Bear Mountain State Park FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs must be kept on-leash throughout Bear Mountain State Park; there is no designated off-leash area.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? All dogs must be on a leash at all times while in the park.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Entry to the park is generally free, but there is a parking fee for certain areas (e.g., beach areas, some events).
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Bear Mountain State Park boasts a variety of pet-friendly hiking trails ranging from easy loop walks to more challenging summit hikes.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are many picnic areas and permanent BBQ grills available for public use (charcoal only).
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park features a lake, a small zoo, a merry-go-round, and a swimming pool, making it very family-friendly.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, Bear Mountain State Park is open every season and offers activities year-round.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park can become very crowded, especially on weekends and during special events, so it’s best to plan to arrive early.
- Are the park grounds regularly maintained? Yes, Bear Mountain is well-maintained, with clean grounds and respectful visitors encouraged to keep the park tidy.
- Are there restrooms available? Yes, restrooms are available in the park for visitors.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are many shaded and sheltered picnic spots throughout the park.
Reviews
My trip to Bear Mountain was a refreshing escape into nature. The park offers the perfect mix of outdoor activities, scenic views, and peaceful spots to just relax. The trails are well-marked and range from easy walks along the river to more challenging hikes with rewarding panoramic views at the summit.
The highlight for me was the overlook from Perkins Memorial Tower—you can see the Hudson River winding through the valley, and on a clear day, even catch a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. It’s breathtaking.
The park also has a lovely lake where you can rent boats, a small zoo featuring local wildlife, and plenty of picnic areas that make it family-friendly. In the fall, the foliage is stunning, and in the winter, there’s even an ice-skating rink.
Parking can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to arrive early. Also, be sure to bring water and snacks if you plan on hiking the longer trails.
Overall, Bear Mountain is a great spot for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone looking for a quick getaway from city life. I’d definitely recommend it for a day trip or even a weekend outing.
My trip to Bear Mountain was a refreshing escape into nature. The park offers the perfect mix of outdoor activities, scenic views, and peaceful spots to just relax. The trails are well-marked and range from easy walks along the river to more challenging hikes with rewarding panoramic views at the summit.
The highlight for me was the overlook from Perkins Memorial Tower—you can see the Hudson River winding through the valley, and on a clear day, even catch a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. It’s breathtaking.
The park also has a lovely lake where you can rent boats, a small zoo featuring local wildlife, and plenty of picnic areas that make it family-friendly. In the fall, the foliage is stunning, and in the winter, there’s even an ice-skating rink.
Parking can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to arrive early. Also, be sure to bring water and snacks if you plan on hiking the longer trails.
Overall, Bear Mountain is a great spot for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone looking for a quick getaway from city life. I’d definitely recommend it for a day trip or even a weekend outing.
Bear Mountain State Park is such a beautiful place to visit. The views are stunning, especially from the top, and the trails are well kept with options for both easy walks and more challenging hikes. It’s very peaceful and a great spot to relax, take photos, or have a picnic.
There’s plenty of space for families, and the scenery by the lake makes it extra special. A perfect getaway from the city!
Bear Mountain State Park is such a beautiful place to visit. The views are stunning, especially from the top, and the trails are well kept with options for both easy walks and more challenging hikes. It’s very peaceful and a great spot to relax, take photos, or have a picnic.
There’s plenty of space for families, and the scenery by the lake makes it extra special. A perfect getaway from the city!
Bear Mountain is incredibly beautiful! If you don’t want to hike up, you can drive directly to the summit, where there’s parking. From the summit, you can take in the stunning scenery. Alternatively, you can drive halfway up the mountain to see the Bear Mountain Bridge, which also offers stunning views.
Bear Mountain is incredibly beautiful! If you don’t want to hike up, you can drive directly to the summit, where there’s parking. From the summit, you can take in the stunning scenery. Alternatively, you can drive halfway up the mountain to see the Bear Mountain Bridge, which also offers stunning views.
Had an amazing time at Bear Mountain State Park! The hike was a perfect mix of challenge and reward, with stunning views of the Hudson River once we reached the top. The park is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is peaceful and refreshing—great for a quick escape from city life. We enjoyed the scenic drive, the cool breeze by the lake, and even spotted a few deer along the trail. Whether you’re into hiking, relaxing by the water, or just soaking in nature, this place has something for everyone. Don’t miss out the swimming pool for 5$. Highly recommend visiting, especially during fall or early summer!
Had an amazing time at Bear Mountain State Park! The hike was a perfect mix of challenge and reward, with stunning views of the Hudson River once we reached the top. The park is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is peaceful and refreshing—great for a quick escape from city life. We enjoyed the scenic drive, the cool breeze by the lake, and even spotted a few deer along the trail. Whether you’re into hiking, relaxing by the water, or just soaking in nature, this place has something for everyone. Don’t miss out the swimming pool for 5$. Highly recommend visiting, especially during fall or early summer!
We recently hiked up to the top of Bear Mountain, and it was such an incredible experience! The trail led us to a summit at 1,289 feet, where we were rewarded with stunning 360° views of the Hudson River, the city skyline, and the beautiful Hudson Highlands—definitely worth the climb!
We brought our dog along, and he probably enjoyed it even more than we did! 🐶 The entire park is super dog-friendly, and we saw quite a few other happy pups along the way. It was great to see how welcoming the trails were for furry companions.
We also walked part of the Appalachian Trail, which offered some beautiful scenery throughout the hike. Later, we explored one of the shorter one-mile loops around the lake, and the view there was just as amazing—peaceful and picturesque.
Whether you’re up for a full hike or just want a relaxing nature walk, Bear Mountain has something for everyone. Highly recommend it for a fun and refreshing day outdoors!
We recently hiked up to the top of Bear Mountain, and it was such an incredible experience! The trail led us to a summit at 1,289 feet, where we were rewarded with stunning 360° views of the Hudson River, the city skyline, and the beautiful Hudson Highlands—definitely worth the climb!
We brought our dog along, and he probably enjoyed it even more than we did! 🐶 The entire park is super dog-friendly, and we saw quite a few other happy pups along the way. It was great to see how welcoming the trails were for furry companions.
We also walked part of the Appalachian Trail, which offered some beautiful scenery throughout the hike. Later, we explored one of the shorter one-mile loops around the lake, and the view there was just as amazing—peaceful and picturesque.
Whether you’re up for a full hike or just want a relaxing nature walk, Bear Mountain has something for everyone. Highly recommend it for a fun and refreshing day outdoors!