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One of the most pleasant
locations in Bear Mountain State Park is Lake Tiorati.
You can find the lake along Seven Lakes Drive, between
the Route 106 traffic circle at Lake Kanawauke and
west of the traffic circle where Route 6, Seven Lakes
Drive and the Palisades Parkway meet.
Lake Tiorati facilities
include the swimming beach, changing rooms and a large
picnic area with plenty of tables under the shade
of the trees. Lake Tiorati is a favorite of locals,
so if you want to spend a lazy summers day under the
trees and swimming in the brisk mountain lake, make
sure to arrive early!
For larger swimming beaches
go to either Lake Welch or Lake Sebago, both of which
have large sandy beaches, changing rooms and snack
facilities. Ample parking can be found at both as
well as vast picnic areas where you are sure to find
a perfect spot.
A few hundred yards north
of the traffic circle in the photograph you will find
the Appalachian Trail as it traverses Bear Mountain
State Park. In one direction you can hike up to the
top of Fingerboard Mountain, in the other to the top
of Stockbridge Mountain. Both directions will provide
you with stunning views, immerse you in nature and
surround you in the peace and quiet of the park. Either
direction is less than a mile to the top of the mountains.
Both Bear Mountain and
Harriman State Parks are criss crossed by seemingly
endless miles of hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail
and Long Path are just two of them, if the most famous.
If you want to have the ideal hiking experience close
to New York City, then here is the place for you.
Make sure to pick up a detailed map of the trails
either from the NY-NJ Trail Conference or from one
of the many concession stands or ranger stations in
the park. Either source will give you great maps leading
you to days of spectacular hiking in the Hudson Highlands
past marshes, mountains, crystal clear mountain lakes,
abandoned Revolutionary Era iron mines and down to
the Hudson River itself. |
