The Bronx River Pathway is located within the Bronx River Reservation, an 807-acre linear park created as an adjunct to the construction of the Bronx River Parkway that was opened in 1925. The parkway, which has the distinction of being the first parkway in the nation, extends 13.2 miles in Westchester from the New York City line north to the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The Pathway consists of three paved segments: a one-mile loop near Oak Street in Mount Vernon; a 3.6-mile section from Palmer Road in Bronxville north to Harney Road in Scarsdale and a 5-mile section extending from Green Acres Avenue in Hartsdale to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
On Sundays during spring and autumn, a portion of the Bronx River Parkway closes to vehicular traffic for the county’s popular Bike & Skate Sundays program.
Sterling Forest® State Park comprises 17,953 acres of nearly pristine natural refuge amidst of one of the nation's most densely populated areas, a remarkable piece of woodland, a watershed for millions, and a tremendous outdoor recreation area. This unbroken deep-forest habitat is important for the survival of many resident and migratory species, including black bear, a variety of hawks and songbirds and many rare invertebrates and plants.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Boat Launch Sites, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Ice Fishing, Museum / Visitor Center, Recreation Programs, Snowshoeing
The Blue Mountain Bike Trail is located at the Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. Cyclists can enjoy a day of fresh air and exercise in a safe and controlled environment. The trails total seven miles in distance and are geared toward three levels of skill. You can choose the level that best suits you. The trails wind through many diverse habitats of this beautiful 1,600-acre park. Along the route you can view rock outcroppings, or rest and enjoy a picnic lunch near a secluded freshwater pond.
The Blue Mountain Reservation is a 1500 acre park in the northwest section of Westchester County. It is primarily a passive park. It features miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, walking, nature study and more. It also offers challenging hikes to the tops of two large peaks: Mt. Spitzenberg and Blue Mountain. The park contains a bathhouse and Trail Lodge, as well as two historically significant comfort stations. These comfort stations were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and are reminiscent of early 20th century National Park structures
Parks attractions include: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Equestrian Trails, Fishing, Hiking / Walking, Ice Skating, Mountain Biking, Nature Study, Playground, Picnicking, Sportman Center for Target Shooting Range
The mountain bike trail system at Graham Hills Park in Mount Pleasant, offers cyclists a day of fresh air and exercise in a wooded and natural environment. Graham Hills, a one-time Hamlet and station on the Putnam Railroad, takes its name from Dr. Isaac Gilbert Graham, a Revolutionary War army surgeon, who settled there circa 1785. The trails total about five miles in distance and are geared toward experienced riders. The route winds through the many diverse habitats of this beautiful 431-acre park. The trails are mostly single track, and can be used in both directions.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is wonderful for outdoor enthusiasts. This 14,086 acre park, covering land in Putnam and Dutchess counties, boasts hiking trails, a beautiful beach, picnic areas, scenic campground, and abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center which provides high quality environmental programming and Fahnestock Winter Park which includes 15 kilometers of groomed trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and an area for sledding.
The large beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park. Its sandy shore and nearby picnic area are enjoyed by thousands of bathers. In addition to swimming, campers and day trippers can fish in or tour Canopus Lake by row boats which are available for rental by the hour or the day. Visitors with their own boats must obtain a Regional Boating permit at the Park Office. Fishing by boat is permitted at Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. Fishing at both lakes and four ponds is excellent in all seasons for anglers seeking bass, pickerel, perch or brook and rainbow trout.
The scenic campground, formed along the park’s natural rock ridges, provides alcoves of privacy and tranquility for campers. Each of the 80 campsites has a picnic table and fire ring. Additionally there is an area for RV camping. Although there are no hookups available or dump station, restroom and shower facilities are centrally located to all RV and tent sites. Individuals, as well as larger camping groups, are welcome. The campground’s nature center houses environmental displays and a variety of touch boxes. On weekends, park staff organizes hikes and craft activities. Movies are shown on Saturday evenings for the enjoyment of all campers.
The Anthony Wayne Recreation Areas is a wooded and scenic part of the beautiful Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties. Facilities include picnic areas with fireplaces, playing fields and cross-country ski and hiking trails.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking Trails / Walking, Picnic Tables, Playing Fields
The Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The historic Bear Mountain Inn overlooks Hessian Lake and provides fine food and overnight accommodations. This parks features include a large play field, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a zoo and nature park, hiking, biking, cross-country ski trails, and ski-jumps. An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park.
Point of Interest: The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain State Park features hand painted scenes of the park an 42 hand carved seats of native animals including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit and more.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Boat Rentals, Cross-Country Skiing. Dockage, Fishing, Food at the Bear Mountain Inn, Gift Shop, Hiking Trails / Walking, Ice Skating, Museum/Vistor Center, Nature Trail, Picnic Tables, Playground, Playing Fields, Pool
Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties, is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, three beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points. Harriman State Park inludes Lakes Welch, Sebago, Tiorati and Silvermine, the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Sebago Cabins and Beaver Pond Campgrounds.
Parks attractions include: Beach, Biking, Boat Launch Sites, Boat Rentals, Bridle Path / Horseback Riding, Cabins, Campsites, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Food, Gift Shop, Group Camping, Hiking, Ice Fishing, Museum & Vistor Center, Picnic Tables, Playing Fields, Showers, Tent / Trailer Sites
Lake Tiorati was formed by clearing swampland in Harriman State Park and constructing a concrete dam to make two ponds into one large lake. Surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills, the park offers excellent swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking. In winter, if conditions allow, the lake is used for ice fishing. The pioneer campsites near the lake may be used by bonafide groups.
Parks attractions include: Beach, Biking, Boat Launch Sites, Fishing, Food, Group Camping, Hiking / Walking, Ice Fishing, Picnic Tables, Scout Camping, Showers
Nyack Beach State Park boasts 61 acres of riverfront along the Hudson in Rockland County. The most popular activities are picnicking, hiking, bicycling and fishing. Trails are open for cross-country skiing in winter.
Rockland Lake State Park's lake is located on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west bank of the Hudson River. The park offers two Olympic-sized swimming pools and two kiddie pools, picnic tables and grills, a car-top boat launch and boat rentals, hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley, six tennis courts and two golf courses. Anglers can fish Rockland Lake for bass, perch and norlunge; walkers and joggers can use the fitness trail around the lake. Winter visitors can enjoy designated cross-country ski trails and sledding slopes.
Tallman Mountain State Park comprises wooded country on the easterly slope of the Palisades uplands overlooking the Hudson and Piermont Marsh, which lies between the river and the slope. The marsh is part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The park operates as a day-use area, offering a swimming pool, running track, tennis courts, playfield, cross country skiing, a walking trail, hiking and picnic areas.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking Paths / Walking, Picnic Tables, Playground, Playing Fields, Pool, Showers, Tennis
Kensico Dam Plaza is a 98 acre property located at the base of the Kensico Dam. Kensico gets its name from the Siwanoy sachem, "Cokenseko". It is 300 feet high and 1830 feet long. It forms the reservoir that contains 29,000 million gallons of water per day. The dam was built under the old dam that formed Lake Kensico, using stone taken from the adjacent Cranberry Lake Park. The park provides a unique setting for a wide variety of activities including ethnic celebrations, concerts, antiques shows, and arts and craft shows.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Fishing, Hiking / Walking, Ice Skating, In-line Skating, Nature Study, Outdoor Film Festival, Picnicking, Playground, Refreshments
The North County Trailway spans 22.1 miles in Westchester County, from Eastview in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, to Baldwin Place in Somers. It now continues for two more miles into Mahopac in Putnam County as the Putnam Trailway. The North County Trailway is a paved bicycle and pedestrian path located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad.
The Putnam Railroad once served 23 stations in Westchester, some of which still stand today. Included is the Tudor-revival style Briarcliff Manor Station, which is now used as a public library. Other former stations can be found along the trailway in Millwood and in Railroad Park in Yorktown Heights. Historic marker plaques have been placed at most of the former station locations.
The South County Trailway is a paved bicycle and pedestrian path located primarily on right-of- way lands of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The “Old Put,” as it was fondly referred to by commuters, provided freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx and Putnam County. Freight service continued to operate sporadically from Elmsford south, with the last freight train making its final run in August 1982.
The Putnam Railroad once served 23 stations in Westchester, some of which still stand today. The former Elmsford station is the only remaining station structure along the South County Trailway. It now houses a restaurant. Historic markers plaques have been placed at most of the former station locations.
The Sprain Ridge Mountain Bike Trail in Yonkers offers cyclists a day of fresh air and exercise in a wooded and natural environment. Sprain Ridge Park is a large land preserve with a variety of landscapes, ranging from heavily wooded areas to large and impressive rock outcroppings. The park was previously owned by the Boyce Thompson Institute, a botanical research center, and a result, contains many unusual and exotic woodland plants.
The five miles of mountain bike trails at Sprain Ridge offer challenges to cyclists at every level of ability. The trails wind their way through 278 acres of varied terrain that offers challenges for beginner, intermediate and advanced cyclists. The beginner trail provides cyclists with challenging curves but a relatively level topography.
The intermediate and advanced trails provide experienced cyclists with more of a challenge with trails of increasing grades and challenging topography. There are picnic areas available near all three parking lots and a snack bar is open in season near the swimming pool
The Sprain Ridge Mountain Bike Trail in Yonkers offers cyclists a day of fresh air and exercise in a wooded and natural environment. Sprain Ridge Park is a large land preserve with a variety of landscapes, ranging from heavily wooded areas to large and impressive rock outcroppings. The park was previously owned by the Boyce Thompson Institute, a botanical research center, and a result, contains many unusual and exotic woodland plants.
The five miles of mountain bike trails at Sprain Ridge offer challenges to cyclists at every level of ability. The trails wind their way through 278 acres of varied terrain that offers challenges for beginner, intermediate and advanced cyclists. The beginner trail provides cyclists with challenging curves but a relatively level topography. The intermediate and advanced trails provide experienced cyclists with more of a challenge with trails of increasing grades and challenging topography.
There are picnic areas available near all three parking lots and a snack bar is open in season near the swimming pool area.
Tibbetts Brook Park is a 161 acre park with a large 412’ x 125’ pool. It was one of the first parks developed by Westchester County. The Park offers many recreational activities throughout the year and hosts ethnic celebrations, fairs and festivals during the summer months.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers a scenic haven. The park's spacious picnic areas, which can accommodate individual families as well as large groups, may be reserved in advance. The park's mammoth pool can hold 4,000 bathers at one time.
The park's oasis of blue water, Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond, provide excellent freshwater fishing and boating. Popular catches include bass, perch, and sun fish. A New York State Freshwater Fishing License is required. Licenses can be purchased at town halls or a variety of sporting good stores. Both rowboats and pedal boats are available for rental; however, a regional boating permit allows visitors to launch their own rowboats, canoes or kayaks. For an additional fee, rowboat owners may also store their boats. In wintertime, the water's tree lined border provides a winter wonderland backdrop for ice skaters and ice fisherman.
The park's picnic areas have volleyball nets and many have softball fields or basketball courts. There is also a soccer field. Sports enthusiasts may wish to try their hand at Disc golf, a short distance from the picnic areas. You can play either 9 or 18 holes. The rules and scorecards are located at the course and loaner Frisbees are available from the park office. The park’s hills and trails are perfect for winter sports.
Parks attractions include: Biking, Boat Launch Sites, Boat Rentals, Cross-Country Skiing, Disk Golf Course, Fishing, Food, Hiking Trails / Walking, Ice Skating, Picnic Tables, Playground, Playing Fields, Pool, Recreation Programs, Snowmobiling
Click to feature your business or restaurant.
