Bear Mountain Trailside Museums and Zoo

Bear Mountain Trailside
Museums and Zoo

1 Hessian Dr.

Highland Falls, NY  10928

(845) 786-2701 x265

www.trailsidezoo.org

www.facebook.com/pages/Trailside-Museums-and-Zoo-at-Bear- 

Mountain-State-Park

What’s there?  The Grand-Daddy of all trailside museums, with extremely well marked nature trail, WPA era museum buildings, a zoo featuring native wildlife, the ruins of Revolutionary War era Fort Clinton, awesome scenic views of the Hudson, and so much more!

History museum with hand carved flagpole

Who is it for?  Anybody who loves animals, nature, history, hiking or is just looking for a really great place to have a picnic—or steal a romantic moment.  The paved paths are stroller and wheelchair accessible, although there are some rather steep inclines which can be a little challenging.

Where is it?  Located in the heart of Bear Mountain State Park, just off of Rte 9W and the Bear Mountain Bridge traffic circle.  The walk from the parking lot to the start of the museum/zoo area does take about 10 minutes, perhaps longer if you’re with little kids.  The paths also comprise part of the Appalachian Trail.

When is it open?  The Trailside museums and zoo is open 363 days a year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 10:00 to 4:30 daily.  Animal feedings are every day at noon.

How much will it cost you?  Admission is free; there is a suggested donation of $1.00 per person.  Parking is free weekdays and non-holidays from October through May.  Parking is $8.00 all weekends and holidays, and daily from June through September.  Parking is always free with an Empire Passport (see below).

While you are there…Bear Mountain State Park has so much to offer that you’ll probably have to come back to check out the rest of it.  But when you do, and you really should, make sure to visit the Merry-Go-Round ($1.00/ride).  The path around Hessian Lake is fully paved and a nice walk.  You can rent boats in the summer, although that starts to get pricey.  Bear Mountain also has a pool, located along the path to the museums/zoo, which charges $1.00 for children 6-12 and $2.00 for adults to swim, and an ice skating rink open in the winter (call for fees). The Appalachian Trail, along with several other hiking trails, run through the park, and you can also drive up Perkins Memorial Drive to the top of Bear Mountain and visit the tower at the top.

Why go?

The question really should be, why not? Opened to the public in 1927, this is the original and most venerable of the trailside museums; the 85 years of dedication and development clearly shows. 

To start with, the Nature Trail itself is extremely well marked,  incorporating lessons in history, geology, and ecology into the numerous plaques and interpretive signs along the way.  Not only does the trail identify flora, fauna and geologic landmarks, it poses educational questions designed to engage even the youngest children and raise environmental and ecological awareness. There is even an additional side trail, which not only leads to magnificent river views, but also incorporates educational markers.  Here you will also find the massive statue of Walt Whitman, the American poet who lauded nature and the "open road" throughout his works.

Continuing along the path you’ll find four rustic fieldstone buildings dating back to the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. These house the Herpetology, History, Nature Study and Geology collections.  

Eastern rattlesnake

  The reptile house showcases some of our most lethal local snakes. 

Mastodon tusk

And where else in the Hudson River Valley, other than here, are you going to be able to see the remains of a massive mastodon unearthed only a few miles away? 

Check out, in the History Museum, the giant iron chain link, believed to have been part of Mad Anthony Wayne’s river defenses against the invading British. The museum displays also include Revolutionary era cannon balls and other ordnance found in the area, models of the mines that once dotted the surrounding mountains, and local Native American artifacts.

But the biggest draw continues to be the zoo itself. Many of the animals, all native to the area, became residents when illness and injury prevented their release into the wild. That being said, they’re certainly healthy and well cared-for now. 

The red foxes are a special favorite of my family, but you’ll also find coyotes, a porcupine, an otter, a bald eagle, numerous birds, and of course, bears.

There are deer here, too, although I’m not sure why—they’re almost as common as squirrels these days, but I guess they still have their charm.

Along a separate trail branching off the main path you can explore what’s left of Fort Clinton, one of the two “twin forts” that once bracketed the Popolopen Gorge (Fort Montgomery is the other).  Here Revolutionary War battles were fought, blood was spilled and heroic deeds were done on both sides as the British and the Americans fought it out for dominion over the Hudson River passage.  In fact, the fort covered a good portion of what today is the museums and zoo; it's hard to imagine that this peaceful area was once a fierce battle field.

On the far side of the History Museum a wide lawn opens up with river views to die for. Here you can see, up close and personal, the Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose across the river.  This makes a great place to take a break and maybe have a snack with the little ones.  On the north side of this area, just under the bridge, you can take the trail that leads down the Popolopen Gorge to the creek below, and across the mini-suspension bridge to Fort Montgomery (also open free to the public). 

In addition to its regular exhibits, the Trailside Museums and Zoo  run periodic interpretive and educational programs.  Check the website and the Facebook page to find out what’s happening at the zoo. 

Finally, for those who want to know—and who doesn’t—there’s a gift shop located in the Bear Mountain Inn.  In addition to the expected bear-themed tchochkas, the shop offers camping and hiking supplies, wildlife and camping themed items and a wide array of locally produced jams, candies and honey.  There is also a small café offering lite fare. 

This is a place that never grows old.  I came here as a kid, brought my own kids, and now they're grown up and still love it.  There's always something new along with all the old and familiar, and that's what makes this a place you'll want to visit again and again.

A note about the Empire Passport:  This is essentially a pre-paid parking permit good not only for Bear Mountain State Park, but for all New York State parks and historic sites that charge a parking or vehicle use fee.  It’s an initial outlay of $65.00 (ouch) but is absolutely worth it if you plan to use your state parks to the max.  At $8.00 a pop to park at a state facility, you need only visit 8 times the entire season in order for this to pay for itself.  I highly recommend doing so if you can afford it, as our state parks are one of the most versatile and rich low or no cost resources available to us.