A couple of times my family has wanted to go on a nature excursion and we’ve ventured to Bear Mountain NY. It is less than an hour away from us and very scenic. We enjoyed our time walking around the like and into the mountains. But as a family we didn’t do any of the trails up the mountain, we stayed close to flat land. The entire area is beautiful. I had always noticed a hotel on the property but we never stayed overnight. 

Bear Mountain is located in the Hudson Valley in New York and is considered the starting place of the Appalachian Trail. It has a lake, marked hiking trails, museums, a zoo, giant fields, and multiple options for staying. I didn’t realize how much Bear Mountain had to offer until my most recent trip when I stayed overnight. 

A friend and I wanted to do a brief business retreat. We needed a destination that was a good midpoint for us between NJ and NY. It needed to be affordable and have access to food and a relaxing atmosphere. We settled on Bear Mountain.  

Accommodations

Bear Mountain has three on-site options for accommodations: Bear Mountain Inn, Overlook Lodge, and Stone Cottages. We stayed at the Overlook Lodge because the price and number of beds met our needs. 

Overlook  Lodge is a hotel with a couple of floors and an open space with tables and a deck. We were able to sit outside on the deck and inside at the tables to get work done. It was very quiet when we were there. The view from the small deck was beautiful. The room had 2 beds, a bathroom, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker. We were happy with the accommodations.

In addition to being a popular spot for weddings and events, the Bear Mountain Inn also has a Spa. I promised myself that next time I would book myself an appointment there! 

There are also local AirBnB/VRBO rentals a short drive from the mountain. A client stayed at 1 bedroom VRBO with an incredible view that was in walking distance to some of the Bear Mountain hiking trails. He had a great time!

Scenery and Hiking

We spent a lot of time at a picnic table overlooking the lake. It was a beautiful view to have while discussing work. You can walk around the lake which isn’t a completely flat path but is a very easy walk. There are trails marked along the way. At Lake Hessian you can also rent a pedal boat during the warmer months.

Bear Mountain has built stairs into the mountain to make hiking the trails a little easier.  There are many trails accessible from multiple locations – Bear Mountain is a State Park – and when I arrived I was given a map and told about the different options for hiking. 

Food

At the top of the Inn there is a restaurant and on the first floor there is a small cafe. The cafe is great for grab and go items like granola bars, water, and snacks. They also serve breakfast and lunch including bagels, hamburgers, and sandwiches.

At check-in I asked for a list of local restaurants; most restaurants are at least a 10-minute drive. When we looked at delivery apps there didn’t seem to be too many close options. 

In some of the picnic areas there are charcoal grills. During the warmer months people camp out in those spots for the day, grill, and play music. 

Why you should think about going to Bear Mountain

If you are in the market for a scenic getaway and/or are looking for somewhere to hike then Bear Mountain NY is the place for you. You can stay on-site,wake-up and start your hike on one of the trails. Or you can spend the day at a picnic table overlooking the lake. It definitely made for a great business retreat spot. In my opinion it would be a nice weekend getaway with friends where you can be active and then head to the Spa. They also hold special events for families. For instance in November and December they have Brunch with Santa, and in the fall they have Tea with Princesses. 

Consider Bear Mountain for your next trip!