Bear Mountain State Park Camping

Bear Mountain State Park

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Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain

Trailside is excited to undergo construction of new animal habitats! Due to active construction along the trail, Trailside will be closed to the public periodically. Please visit our website for up-to-date closure information. The website will be updated by 9:00 AM daily.

Pet Policy

Dogs only, must be on a leash not more than 6 feet. Not allowed in buildings, picnic areas, bathing areas, on walkways or in the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center.

Bear Mountain State Park 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.

Lodges:

• For public session hours and fees, and information on skate rentals and private rentals, please visit www.bearmountainicerink.org. Please also refer to their website before your visit to check if there has been an unscheduled closure for maintenance or inclement weather.

How To Get Tobear Mountain State Park

From Downsville, head northeast on NY-30 North toward NY-206 East, and then turn left at the first cross street onto NY-206 West. Follow for about 6 miles and turn left onto East Trout Brook Road. In less than a mile, the state park will be on the left.

From Walton, head south on Townsend Street toward Delaware Street, and then turn left onto Delaware Street. Follow for a few feet and then turn right onto Bridge Street. Turn left onto NY-206 East/Stockton Avenue. Follow for about 4 miles and turn right onto East Trout Brook Road. Follow signs to the state park.

Outside Bear Mountain State Park

Once you’ve done all there is to experience inside the state park, consider exploring its surrounding area. Delaware County is known for its various restaurants that cover just about everything from Chinese to American. The area just outside of the state park is also filled with quality shopping locations and entertainment opportunities for the whole family. Getting to know the park’s surrounding region gives you a fulfilling insight into the area and its culture.

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Camping At Bear Mountain State Park

Rent a camper and wake up surrounded by beautiful nature. In the wee hours of the morning, watch a deer sip from a babbling stream. Or listen to the birdsong in the trees. RV camping at Bear Mountain State Park is no longer possible it eliminated its campground in the 1970s. However, there are several other campgrounds in the area.

The Beaver Pond State Park RV campground near Stony Point may be a good candidate to consider. With around 125 sites to choose from, guests have a choice between waterfront sites, wooded sites, or open-space sites. There are restrooms with showers, too.

Alternatively, RV camp in Harriman State Park at Baker Camp. Though primitive, there are restrooms with showers for guests to use. The main feature of this campground is the easy access to Sebago Lake.

Harriman State Park Campgrounds

Harriman State Park has several nice campgrounds available and one of the best is Beaver Pond located at Lake Welch. Beaver Pond is open for both tent and RV camping. Each site allows for two tents or RVs/trailers up to 30 feet long. There are no electrical hookups.

If you dont want the hassle of bringing your own tent, TentRR has nice and big four-wall cabin tents already set up at some of the most desirable lakeside camping locations in the park.

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Trailside Museums And Zoo

The Trailside Museums and Zoo are located at the former site of Fort Clinton. Its name is a reference to the Appalachian Trail that runs through the complex. The zoo began as a bear den in 1926 and is currently the home of a wide variety of local injured or rehabilitating animals, including bears, otters, deer, bald eagles, and owls. The zoo’s popular otter died in June 2013, aged 19 years. The Reptile and Amphibian House has many species of fish, turtles, snakes and frogs. The Nature Study Museum was formed in 1921 for the Boy Scouts facility in the park from the original exhibits created by the American Museum of Natural History. The Geology Museum covers the Hudson Highlands and other local geology. The History Museum has exhibits about colonial and Native American culture. On February 11, 1962, 35,120 spectators turned out to watch the New York State Junior Ski Jumping Championship. More jump competitions were held at Bear Mountain than at any other ski jump in the United States. The ski jumps have not been used since 1990.

Beartooth Campground Fees And Reservations

Some of the campgrounds on the Beartooth Highway have no reservations and are open to whoever secures a spot first while others have online reservations. The individual campground page will have full information about reservations.

Many campgrounds fill during the summer months so, unless you have a reservation, try to plan to occupy a site early in the day. Its no fun to be searching for a campsite in the evening only to discover that every campground is full.

Except for the dispersed camping areas, all of these campgrounds charge a nightly camping fee. Unless you have an online reservation, fees are paid on-site so be sure to have a checkbook or cash to make your payment. Credit and Debit cards are not accepted!

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General Beartooth Highway Camping Information

Campgrounds are located along the entire 68 miles of the Beartooth Highway but only a couple are located in the highest country along the middle of the route. Most are closer to Yellowstone Park and Red Lodge, MT. The highway is in Montana on both ends but much of the middle is in Wyoming. Campgrounds are located in both states which wont matter to most campers but it is important if you are fishing.

Enjoy The Night Skies On The Beartooth Plateau

Camping along the Beartooth Highway offers some of the best stargazing in the lower 48 states. These are remote campgrounds with no man-made lights interfering with the night sky. You are surrounded by vast wilderness and the air is pure and clean with no pollution to block out the stars. Finally, the higher altitude provides a thinner atmosphere and enhances the viewing.

Full moon nights are almost bright enough to read by. During the dark times of the month, the sky is ablaze with the milky way. Its a real treat to see the amazing display overhead when you are camping here.

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Browse The Best Bear Mountain State Park Camping Cabins In Ny

Wanting to visit Bear Mountain, New York? Let us help. Check out these luxury Bear Mountain State Park camping cabins and discover the best places to spend your next NY getaways in style! Don’t miss out on the top secluded camping ‘near me’ in New York this year and escape the city with some of the top getaways from NYC. Bear Mountain State Park cabins of this caliber surely won’t disappoint guests looking for the opportunity to relax and recharge in the best outdoor destinations in New York. Find the best cabin rentals Bear Mountain NY has to offer! Check out amazing options here today at Glamping Hub, this is what all true glampers should strive for! The best stays in Bear Mountain State Park, NY are here today!

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Beartooth Highway Campground Weather

Campgrounds along the Beartooth Highway are located at elevations ranging from 7,000 ft to 9.500 ft so be prepared for extreme weather conditions. Cold and windy conditions are common and nighttime temperatures in the 30s or colder are not uncommon. Also, rain storms can appear suddenly so make sure you have appropriate clothing and camping gear.

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Bear Spring Mountain New York

Booking Window

Reservations must be made 1 Day ahead of arrival and can be made up to 9 Month in advance.

CAMPGROUND SPECIFIC INFORMATION

• There is a limit of two tie stalls per reserved campsite.
• No motorized boats are allowed on the pond.
• Please note that there are no horse rentals at this facility.
• Proof of current negative Coggins Certificate is required for all horses entering the campground. Out of state owners must produce a 30 day health certificate. Patrons much carry each horse’s health papers with them at all times.

WHEN YOU ARRIVECHECK-IN TIMECHECK-OUT TIMEOCCUPANCYAGE REGULATIONSLENGTH OF STAYQUIET HOURSGENERATORSFIRESFIREARMSACCESSIBLE SITESSWIMMINGPETS

Floods And Campground Closures

In mid-June, 2022 historic floods hit Montana in the Yellowstone Park region. Washed-out roads and bridges have left many campgrounds and trails closed. The table below is mostly accurate but you should always check to make sure your intended campground is open! Call the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103

There are many public campgrounds along the Beartooth Highway. Which one is best for you will depend on a number of factors. To help you choose weve prepared this guide to the public campgrounds along the route. There is a page of additional information about each of these campgrounds just click on the campground name to learn more

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Fishing & Boating At Beartooth Highway Campgrounds

A variety of fishing opportunities are available to campers. Three of the campgrounds are located on lakes while several others offer easy access to stream fishing. You always need a fishing license so make sure you have the proper license before fishing. Even though this is remote country, Ive visited with game wardens checking boats and anglers. Make sure you are legal before you fish.

If you are boating on one of the Wyoming lakes you must first have a Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection and a WY AIS Decal. This applies to any type of boat or watercraft you use on the water. The Top of the World Store sells the AIS decals but they dont conduct watercraft inspections.

Great Hiking And Camping

So many cool places to hike and camp! Excellently blazed trails, gorgeous views, and very little in the way of littering .

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I come here very often just to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its so serene and refreshing. Just driving through is an absolute treat. Kayaking is wonderful here and there is plenty of hiking available on the dozens of trails. Can’t wait to be up there again.

Went there with my brother and his wife. We found it a most beautiful place to visit. The views were fantastic. The lodge beautiful and the park itself well maimtained.

Great place for families or alone, hiking trails for the novice and the more adventurous! Picture perfect. The Inn was refurbished about 2 years ago and is open to the public for lunch, Sunday Brunch , gift shop. In the winter you can ice skate. Park Hours: 8 AM Sunset, there is a fee to park there.

Always go for Octoberfest when there are vendors, sometimes in between-love the zoo and the walk. It has a lot more to offer than we take advantage of so don’t miss out just cause our favorite is the zoo.

New York City, New York

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The Beartooth Highway Is Bear Country

While it is unlikely that you will encounter a bear, always be aware that grizzly and black bears call this their home. Its vitally important that you take care to keep your campsite clean. Avoid dropping any food scraps to the ground. Keep your food stored properly unless you are cooking or eating. Most of the campgrounds have steel bear-proof food lockers at each campsite and you should always use them. When there is no food locker be sure to keep your food inside of a vehicle.

Always carry bear spray when you are in bear country and be sure you understand exactly how to use it. Its too late to figure it out when you need it! Heres more information about being bear-aware.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Mountain State Park

What kind of wildlife can be found in Bear Mountain State Park?

Bear Mountain State Park is home to black bears, eastern coyotes, bald eagles, porcupines, white-tailed deer, and many other native species. Visitors can see many species of migrating hawks in the fall above Bear Mountain.

What is the best time of year to visit Bear Mountain State Park?

Summer and fall are the best times of the year for visiting this remarkable outdoor space. In summer, many visitors come to swim, hike, and bike. In the fall, you can see beautiful rainbow colors throughout the mountainside.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Bear Mountain State Park?

Bear Mountain State Park has 41 designated RV camping spots that accommodate up to 40-foot-long trailers. It is best to book your reservation early because they fill up quickly during the warmer months.

Are pets allowed at Bear Mountain State Park?

Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash that is not more than 6 feet long. However, they are not allowed in picnic areas, walkways, bathing areas, or buildings, including the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center.

Is Bear Mountain State Park accessible for disabled visitors?

Bear Mountain State Park is accessible for disabled visitors with paved paths, custom picnic tables, lowered grills, and spacious bathhouses. The 1.3-mile Appalachian Trail Loop offers a 0.4-mile section of smooth surface to provide accessibility.

RVshare

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Campsites In Bear Mountain State Park

Hello all! I recently moved to NYC and have begun exploring some hikes in the area, mostly around Bear Mountain/Harriman. I used to backpack and camp a ton, but I fell off for a few years and this year I’ve gotten back into it. I’m finally planning an overnight in a couple weeks, my plan is to do 3 days/2 nights with my dog and would like to see a nice view or two but mostly I’m looking for a nice moderate weekend on the trail.

I’ve been trying to plan out my route and ideal campsites without a ton of luck. I’ve been looking for maps that include designated camping sites, but aside from a couple shelters none pop up. Are these the only camping areas allowed on trail? If so, it’s looking like the West Mountain shelter would be my best bet for night 1, where’s the best place to park to get to the trail?

Any other tips about the area would be greatly appreciated!

Directions To Trailhead :

• Reeves Meadow Visitors Center: From NY 17 in Sloatsburg take Seven Lakes Drive 1.4 miles. GPS: 41.174182, -74.168434
• Bear Mountain Inn: From the Palisades Interstate Parkway , get off at exit 19 and take Seven Lakes Drive for 3½ miles to the Bear Mountain Circle. At the circle, take the second right. Follow the signs to Parking Lots. If you miss exit 19, take the Parkway to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. At this circle, make the first right onto 9W south and go to the traffic light. Bear right and go up the hill. Parking fees apply. GPS: 41.312055, -73.988693
• Anthony Wayne Recreation Area: From the Palisades Interstate Parkway, take Exit 17. GPS: 41.297022, -74.027669
• Elk Pen Parking Area: Take Route 17 north through Southfields, NY, turn right onto Arden Valley Road, pass over the NY State Thruway , then turn right on Elk Pen Road. From Route 17 south, Arden Valley Road is two miles south of the Harriman train station. GPS: 41.265345, -74.153499
• Public transportation: Short Line buses from the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Bear Mountain Inn also stop, if requested, along US 9W at Tomkins Cove and Jones Point. Short Line buses and Metro-North trains to Suffern, Sloatsburg, Tuxedo, Southfields, Arden, and Harriman give access to trails on the west side of the parks.

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Best Camping Near Bear Mountain State Park New York

Camping in Bear Mountain State Park has long been a popular winter activity for those New Yorkers who love to travel outside and don’t want to be limited by cold weather. Popular winter activities at this park include skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. This campground offers many other winter activities, such as sledding, hiking, dog sledding, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and several boat rentals. There are also some luxurious campgrounds in the area.

The camping at the park is very affordable with prices starting at just $8 a day for a single tent camping space. This tent camping option allows campers the option to forgo the hot meals and the grills that are available at some campgrounds. However, the lack of grills does not compromise the number of cooking options available at this park. With full kitchens at each site, campers can prepare all their meals and have access to campfire activities.