Explore the most popular River trails in Bear Mountain State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Great trail, though agree with others that it’s moderate/hard. Definitely take the loop counter clockwise, much easier to scramble up than down. Additionally, if hiking with a dog you cannot go through the zoo/nature center. Instead take the bypass that takes you around the zoo. You will see a sign right before you go under the Bear Mt. Bridge, it reads “to Bear Mountain State Park”. This is a slight deviation from the trail marked on All Trails.
Before to remain on the red trail— if u go onto the blue trail does not leave you back at the beginning of trail
This was a great trail for a cold Saturday - I think the weather kept the crowds away so there were not as many people even on the staircase section. Be prepared for a small scramble on the northern side of the loop.
Great trail very scenic pretty easy to do in 3 hours
Good trail. Was not a huge fan of the man made stairs. Because of the stairs it makes it much more of a walk in the woods vs a hike. However the other half was great.
I recommend do the stair last on a wet day
Good but muddy trail on an unseasonably warm January day. Difficult rock scrambles on the way up. Views to NYC at the peak. The way down is more of a set of stairs and was heavily trafficked with people and dogs.
Highly populated on the first half of the hike going clockwise. But the views at the top are lovely. Also, prepare to pay for parking by the inn.
Unusually warm but breezy January day (65 F)
