Bear Mountain: the park we love on quieter days

A beautiful lake, a memorable carousel, Trailside Zoo and mountain views keep bringing us back. Family Fall Fest was fun in flashes, but the traffic and food lines reminded us how much timing changes this outing.

Hessian Lake walksCarousel twice!Trailside ZooAvoid event traffic

People relaxing under trees beside Hessian Lake at Bear Mountain State Park

Latest visitFamily Fall Fest · Oct 10, 2026

Our favorite paceQuieter weekdays

Parking$10 per vehicle on our visits; verify before you go

BathroomsPlentiful and large in our experience

Family Fall Fest: the busy version

We went relatively early, yet it took 35 minutes from the Bear Mountain Bridge until we could finally get out of the car. The vendors were actually great. We walked around, heard live music, bought local honey and rode the carousel twice. Getting food or a drink meant lines we just could not stomach, so we skeedadled. By around 2 p.m., the parking lots were closed and traffic stretched well past the bridge and down the mountain. This was our experience on a particularly packed event day, not what every visit is like.

Why we keep coming back

On quieter weekdays, this is one of our go-to parks. We can take an easy walk around Hessian Lake, choose a trail, or visit the Trailside Museums and Zoo. We miss the bears, which were gone on our recent visit, but there is still plenty to explore. The carousel is a favorite: hand-carved horses share the ride with local wildlife, including deer, foxes and other animals. Today Isamu even sported an inclusive NY Parks sticker. There is also a big seasonal outdoor pool that looks impressive, though we have never tried it, and pedal boats are available for rent on the lake when operating.

Mountain views without the climb

Hiking to the top of Bear Mountain is a rigorous outing. We have also driven up Perkins Memorial Drive toward the tower and enjoyed the views without that harrowing exertion. The drive is seasonal and weather dependent, so check road access before making it the centerpiece of your day.

The practical Isamu test

Parking and event crowds are the biggest variables for us. We once aborted a New Year’s Day trip because traffic into the park was so bad. At the Fall Fest, waiting to enter and then standing in food lines used up more patience than we had. On an ordinary day the lake and carousel give us an outing we can keep short, and the bathrooms we have used are plentiful and large. Trailside’s route is paved and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, though some portions are hilly. That is useful to know if you are choosing between a stroller walk and a more ambitious trail.

Families gathered beneath shade trees beside Hessian Lake — Hessian Lake on a sunny park day.

Liz and Isamu outside Bear Mountain Inn on Family Fall Fest day — Together outside the Inn during Family Fall Fest.

Isamu wearing a New York State Parks inclusion sticker outside Bear Mountain Inn — Isamu sporting his inclusive NY Parks sticker.

The Bear Mountain carousel with hand-carved animals and painted scenes — The carousel mixes horses with animals native to the area.

Isamu riding the hand-carved carousel with animal mounts behind him — A carousel favorite from one of our earlier visits.

Isamu beside an eastern coyote sign at Trailside Zoo — There is plenty to see at Trailside beyond the bears.

Isamu in his stroller looking at natural history exhibits at Trailside Museums — The indoor museum exhibits make another stop on the zoo walk.

Wooded hills and water viewed from near Bear Mountain summit — Views without committing to the strenuous summit hike.

Liz and Isamu together with wooded mountains behind them near Perkins Memorial — At the top together.

A deer sculpture with the Bear Mountain Bridge and mountains behind it — A familiar landmark with a mountain backdrop.

Would we recommend it?

Absolutely. Bear Mountain has given us many wonderful days. For our family, a weekday or otherwise quiet visit is the way to enjoy it; on major event days, arrive with a backup plan and do not count on quick food or parking. Current fees, carousel and boat schedules, pool opening, and Perkins Memorial Drive access can change. Check the NY State Parks page, Bear Mountain Inn activities, and Trailside visitor information before going.