Due to major storm damage on July 9th, areas of Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park remain closed.
New York State Parks and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission have announced the initial phase of reopening Bear Mountain State Park following the severe storms on July 8 and 9. The details of the reopening are shared below.
The park picnic grounds and Hessian Lake loop trail have reopened effective today (August 23). The Bear Mountain Carousel and Hessian Lake Paddle Boat concession are scheduled to reopen on Saturday (August 26). Public restrooms are open; however, due to a remaining boil water advisory, the Park will provide drinking water from a portable tanker located near the carousel until the alert is lifted. Visitors are invited to bring their own reusable water bottles and fill up. Access to Bear Mountain is currently available only through its main entrance off Route 9W near the Bear Mountain Bridge.
Even where trails are passable, the shaded area is closed to the public and hiking is not permitted. Before travelling, visitors should be aware that many road/trailhead parking lot closures are in effect in the surrounding area including Seven Lakes Drive from Tiorati Circle to Long Mountain Circle and Exit 19 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway to Rt 9W. Hikers should exercise caution as backcountry trails have been impacted by erosion and downed trees. For more details on closures and access, reference the map shown here.
As a reminder to all trail users, the detour for the Appalachian Trail shown on the map is for thru-hikers only. For additional information on the detour of the A.T. in Bear Mountain visit the corresponding Trail Alert.
Click here to view a larger map.
For additional information and updates about these closures, please visit the NYS Parks website.
Dear Harriman Group Camps,
We will be doing general cleaning and maintenance of both the indoor and outdoor areas of camp.
Please arrive at camp by 9:45 so we can begin work at 10am.
A lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and cookies will be provided by camp for all who are participating.
Please RSVP to Dave at camp@noany.org by Thursday 8/17.
This is a qualifying event for applicants.
Led by Ray and co-led by Susan. This was part of our Centennial Hikes, this one to the Camp Blue Bird location that the then NY Chapter used in 1924-25 (Camp Nawakwa was ready for use in 1926). Due to the closure of 7 Lakes Drive north of Lake Tiorati, the hike used the Long Path from Lake Tiorati to get over to Upper Twin Lake. This added four miles to the day and we wound up hiking nine miles in total.
Founded in 1923, the Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc. is a membership organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors through hiking, walking, camping, swimming, skiing, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking, and to the conservation and preservation of our wilderness, particularly the mountains, lakes, trails, and camping areas of the metropolitan New York region.
