Bear Mountain – Appalachian Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1000 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Surface: Natural Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 2-4 hours Fee: $10 parking (Bear Mountain State Park) Dogs: True Permit: False

Bear Mountain in New York carries a unique distinction: the AT passes through the Trailside Museums and Wildlife Center at Trailside Zoo, making it the only point on the trail that passes through a zoo. The summit of Bear Mountain at 1283 feet supports the Perkins Memorial Tower, a stone observation tower built in 1934, with views extending to Manhattan on clear days and across the Hudson Highlands in all directions.

The standard loop ascends via the Major Welch Trail from the parking area near Hessian Lake, climbing through mixed oak forest with exposed rocky sections before reaching the broad summit area. The AT descends via a different route through the Trailside Museums, where native wildlife including black bear, deer, raptors, and river otters are displayed in natural habitats directly adjacent to the white-blazed trail.

Bear Mountain State Park is one of the most heavily visited parks in New York State, drawing over four million visitors annually. Weekend crowds can be substantial, particularly in fall foliage season. The park includes Hessian Lake, a swimming beach, a merry-go-round, and extensive picnic facilities. The AT here was the first section of the trail ever opened to the public, in 1923. Parking fills early on weekends. The Bear Mountain Inn, dating to 1915, provides lodging and dining adjacent to the trailhead.