Catch Late Fall Colors at Bear Mountain, Then Visit Its Trailside Zoo
Late color on the slopes, then rescued bears, coyotes and a bald eagle on a paved stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
🐻 Residents Along the Ridge
The state foliage report had these slopes at peak in early November. From the Bear Mountain lot it is about twenty minutes on foot to the zoo entrance, where the path levels into a paved stretch that the Appalachian Trail itself runs through. Hikers bound for the Hudson Highlands walk straight past the black bear enclosure, the eastern coyote pair and a bald eagle that cannot fly, all rescued animals that could not survive in the wild.
Four stone museums share the same ridge. The reptile hall runs from spring peepers to a six foot black rat snake, the geology room traces Hudson Highlands iron mining, and the biggest building holds Revolutionary War relics and material on Dan Beard.
Entry runs on a suggested one dollar donation, and parking at Bear Mountain is ten dollars per vehicle. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Nov 30 and 10 to 4 from Dec 1. Some animals come off exhibit 30 to 45 minutes before closing, and the museums lock 15 minutes before the zoo does.
