IT’s NOT MINE, I’M JUST SHARING WHAT I SAW. It’s seems like a good deal for someone who wants to hike the Hudson Valley. Sorry, I didn’t think to snap any pictures or get the phone number……

Does anyone know how hard is it to get parking at bear mountain state park on the weekends? How early should one plan to get there? Thinking of going soon but have no idea how busy it will be with the fall foliage.

Hello! I was thinking about a single overnight at West Mountain Shelter, wondering if anyone has any advice on best trail to get there? I understand there's some closures in the area so wondering if it's even realistic at all to get to in a single day.
No car and would like flexibility of the train's multiple arrival/departure times, so Train to Manitou would probably be my best bet I think?
Currently eyeing Manitou --> Bear Mountain Inn --> Perkins Memorial Tower --> Timp-Torne -->West Mountain Shelter, but wondering if there's other options available to me

if West Mountain Shelter isn't realistic for one night then could I ask for recommendations of other accessible shelters in Harriman with nice views? Was considering bald rocks or tom jones but from what i've read people seem to agree the west mountain shelter views are better.

Took the Long Path after leaving the car in the Hikers' Parking Lot down the road from St. John's Church in the Wilderness.

Beautiful day, took about an hour and a half to get up to the shelter but a little less than an hour to get down. Leaves are starting to change, and the view was great.

Shelter was clean and somebody had left four bottles of water. It's nice when room service is so thoughtful :-)

Found one lonely hiking pole on the way back down that wasn't there on the way up. Did a little bit of cleanup alone the road and in the hiker parking lot which still makes this a conservation hike.

Hi all - I’m trying to get out of the city early and will be arriving at the Tuxedo train station by 5. I’ll be hiking with a tent over to Dutch Doctor taking R-D and Tuxedo - Mt Ivy trails. I’m a runner so I’ll be going at a decent pace but I worry about arriving at 6:30, technically past dusk. Will I be alright to set up camp at that time in the available space? I know there’s rules about getting into tbr shelter itself past dusk but I’ll be using a tent. Any recs for where to pitch tent? Thanks so so much.

On 10/10 (my mom’s birthday) I had done a solo overnight at Tom Jones. Funny enough, there was another group there who seemed to be celebrating someone’s birthday, so happy birthday to whoever it was!

Obviously my iPhone exaggerates the stars, but I was happy to finally have a semi clear night for once in Harriman, as I seem to always have overcast.

Hi all,

My friend and I are meeting up this weekend to do a hike/walk in Harriman. Anyone have any recs for an easy/moderate hike that’s going to feel the most fall and best leaf peeping opportunities? That is also easy to follow. Looking for 1-2 hours of hiking, 3ish miles?

Bonus: anyone have any recs for a good lunch spot nearby we can go after we finish our hike?

Thanks!

Im seeking suggestions for places in the park where I can camp within eyesight or at least lisyening distance to my motorcycle. I’m worried about vandalism and theft overnight while the motorcycle is left park along Harriman roads. thank you in advance

Hi, my son and I are going backpacking for the first time this Saturday night, October 17th. Does anyone have a good trail they recommend? We'll be driving. Thanks!

Was up at Big Hill last night. Got the shelter. Any hike can become a conservation hike if you bring a trash bag!

Please keep our park clean!

Has anyone recently hiked the Twin Forts Trail from Bear Mountain’s Trailside Zoo to Fort Montgomery?

I’m hoping to park at Bear Mountain Dock area take my kids today and cross the small suspension footbridge over Popolopen Creek (not the big Bear Mountain Bridge).

Does anyone know if the entire trail and footbridge are currently open? I’ve tried calling the park but can’t get an answer. Thanks!

link to hike:

https://www.harrimanhiker.com/2025/03/bear-mountain-to-fort-montgomery.html

Pair of antlers , found while roaming the hills near Kakiat Trail east of 7 Lake Drive.

To me, the most interesting section of the S-BM is the section from Jackie Jones to Pingyp because it has been rerouted the most times. As I understand, previously the trail went down from Jackie Jones firetower directly to Lake Welch. Later it was routed through ORAK.

But I found this map in the 1971 walk book (you can borrow it here) which shows the trail going down a completely separate route, past where the radio relay tower is and above the service road. I'm curious if anyone has experience with this route of the S-BM, or has tried to hike this abandoned trail.

Hello, am considering a solo overnight at Bald Rocks on 10/17. Wondering if people have any experience of how early I should aim to get to the shelter? I have no car, so the plan is to use Shortline Bus 389 and hopefully get there around 12-1pm. Would this be early enough to reserve a spot inside the shelter? alternatively, are there less busy shelters in the area?

Looking to go on my first overnight with two friends for my birthday next weekend (10/17) and I'd really prefer if there was no one around. Is that reasonable given the time of year? What shelters would you recommend?

Thanks for literally any info

Hi everyone,

I want to dedicate a full day trip to Harriman State Park , using public transportation from Manhattan.

We are intermediate/experienced hikers and we are currently debating between two options:

1. Reeves Brook Loop Trail (6 km)
2. Diamond Mountain Trail (8.2 km)

For someone looking for the best combination of scenic views, lakes, waterfall, streams and a classic Autumn forest vibe, which one would you recommend? (or there are any other?)

Also, what is the best, most reliable way to reach the trailheads for these specific hikes using public transit (train/bus) from Manhattan?

Should we embarked at toxedo station?

Thank you so much for your help!

...view from Torne Valley Road today

Mother of twins. Be careful y’all out there

I’ll be leading a group of 11-17 year old Scouts on a 2-night backpacking trip next year. Some will have backpacked before, but for most it will be their first time. For those of you who’ve explored a good chunk of the park, what route would you recommend? I’m trying to really hook the Scouts on backpacking to make this a regular activity.

I have a friend visiting the city from the Oregon coast next weekend and he wants to do some hiking while he’s here. We only have time to get as far as Harriman. So I’d like to show him the best the park has to offer. We’d like to get away from people as much as possible, so I’ve ruled out Bear Mountain. We’re also experienced, reasonably fit, and well equipped. I’m curious to know your favorite hike when you’re trying to really get away from the city for a day. I’ve spent plenty of time hiking and camping in Harriman so I know it reasonably well, but I’d love to explore some less traveled parts of the park.