After Completing Extensive Repairs, Key Bear Mountain State Park Facilities to Reopen for Labor Day Weekend
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that popular Bear Mountain State Park facilities will reopen Labor Day weekend following extensive repairs to damage caused by flooding from a major storm on July 9 and 10. The park’s Trailside Museums and Zoo, Bear Mountain Inn and Perkins Memorial Drive will reopen Saturday, September 2, following an extensive recovery effort that included repairs to the treatment plant that provides water to Bear Mountain’s buildings and facilities.
“New York State is making incredible progress in recovering from the destructive force of the July storm, which dumped more than eight inches of rain over a few short hours in parts of the Hudson Valley,” Governor Hochul said. “With crucial repairs now complete, I’m pleased that Bear Mountain State Park and the famed Bear Mountain Inn will reopen for this Labor Day weekend so that New Yorkers can get back to enjoying these popular destinations.”
The Park’s picnic grounds and Hessian Lake loop trail reopened August 23. Additional facilities to be open for Labor Day weekend include:
- Hessian Lake paddle boat rentals
- Bear Mountain Carousel
- Bathrooms and drinking water fountains
- The Trailside Museums and Zoo – opens on Saturday
- South Entrance Road – between US 9W and the Bear Mountain Circle – opens on Saturday
- Seven Lakes Drive from the Palisades Interstate Parkway Exit 19 to Bear Mountain Circle – opens on Saturday
- Perkins Memorial Drive – opens for vehicular access on Saturday
- Bear Mountain Inn guest rooms, restaurant, bar, hiker’s café, and spa all open as of Saturday. Additional information available here: visitbearmountain.com
Parking remains limited. Visitors should plan ahead, including making alternative plans if Bear Mountain fills to capacity.
Many of the Park’s hiking trails were also damaged and will remain closed until repairs can be completed in the coming months. Bear Mountain’s Trail map will be updated on an ongoing basis as repairs are made to help inform visitors about the status of their favorite hikes. The latest version of the map can be viewed here. The Bear Mountain Pool bathhouse was also damaged and is planned to reopen for the 2024 season.
The storm caused widespread damage throughout Bear Mountain and portions of Harriman State Park, including embankment collapses, rock and mudslides, significant washouts along park hiking trails, roads, bridges, and culverts. Repairs were also needed to address significant damage to the Park’s maintenance garage, and carpentry and plumbing shops.
With the assistance of the New York State Office of General Services, contractors have been working non-stop to address the most critical damage. Significantly, the Park could not re-open without repairs to its water treatment facility, which required the replacement of components that were submerged when the plant was flooded during the storm.
