Harriman State Park Photo: TheTurducken / CC BY 2.0
United States › New York

Harriman State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 47,500 acres (192 km²), the second-largest park in the New York State Parks system
  • Trails: more than 200 miles (320 km), including the Appalachian Trail
  • Overnight: trail shelters and campgrounds
  • Gateway: New York City, about an hour away
  • Managed by: New York State Parks, through the Palisades Interstate Park Commission

The landscape

Harriman spreads across the Hudson Highlands: rocky ridges, oak forest, lakes and wetlands, with old mines and stone walls from earlier eras. It adjoins Bear Mountain State Park. Deer, black bears, timber rattlesnakes and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Spring and fall are ideal, with colour in late October. Summer is hot and busy at the lake beaches. Winter is quiet, with occasional snow and ice on the ridges.

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Getting there and around

The park is close to New York City by car, and some trailheads are reachable by train. Roads such as Seven Lakes Drive lead to lakes, parking areas and trailheads, which fill early on weekends.

Things to do

Hikers follow the dense network of blazed trails, including the Appalachian Trail and the Long Path, to viewpoints and shelters. Backpackers can do weekend loops using the shelters. Lakes offer swimming and paddling in summer.

Staying safe

The trail network is large and confusing, and people get lost every year; carry a map and know your blazes. Trails are rocky, with scrambles in places. Check for ticks, and watch for rattlesnakes on sunny ledges. Wear bright colours during hunt dates. Leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm closures and fees with New York State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
41.2304, -74.0933
Magnetic declination
12.5° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

99 places in Harriman State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 2

Park entrance

Fee station

On the trail 19

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 78

Viewpoints

Lakes

Beaches

Heritage sites

Point of interest

Peaks 30

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpacking

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
ForestLakesMountains
Key hazards
Rocky trails and scramblesGetting lost on the dense trail networkTicksBlack bears and rattlesnakesHunting (lottery hunts in part of the park)
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
About 30 miles (48 km) north of New York City, off the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Route 17 and the Seven Lakes Drive.
Water
Streams and lakes; treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair in most of the park.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle fee. Backcountry camping is allowed only at the trail shelters and designated areas. Part of the park hosts lottery deer hunts on set dates.
Leave No Trace
Camp only at the shelters and designated areas, carry out all trash, and stay on marked trails.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high63°F(17°C)17°C(63°F)
Average low46°F(8°C)8°C(46°F)
Rainfall5.3 in(134 mm)134 mm(5.3 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 10 minSunrise 7:06 a.m., sunset 6:17 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the West Pt station, 13 miles (21 km)21 km (13 miles) away at 320 feet (98 m)98 m (320 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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