5 Favorite Hikes To View Fall Foliage Near NYC
The crisp cool air and shorter days brings not only pumpkins and apple picking, but the beauty of fall foliage, and there’s nothing better than getting out of the city for a scenic hike. There is no shortage of parks and trails to visit to see fall's extravaganza of color! I love the outdoors and bring my 18 month old Sheepadoodle Ruby with me for almost every hike that I take. While hiking is a great way to spend time with your pup, not everyone knows how to find a hike, and others may be concerned they will get “lost in the woods." I put together a list of some of my favorite places near NYC that you can go to enjoy the foliage - make sure to bring your furry friend along to enjoy the show!
Harriman State Park (42 miles from NYC)
Looking to enjoy the solitude of upper New York State but don't want to travel too far? Harriman State Park is a great option, and is located in Rockland and Orange counties a short distance from the city. It is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, two 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. There is no cost to hike in the park, and maps of the park and trails are available on the park website.
Wyanokie High Point Loop (42 miles from NYC)
Wyanokie High Point Loop is in Norvin Green State Forest. The highlight = the 360 degree panoramic views at the summit.
Bear Mountain State Park (49 miles from NYC)
Bear Mountain State Park features over fifty trails covering over 235 miles, including 6 miles of the Appalachian Trail. There is a wide range of elevation and difficulty, there's plenty of options for pups of every energy level. There are also multiple food options along the roadway.
Cornish Estate Trail (59 miles from NYC)
This 4.5 mile trail sits within the Hudson Highlands State Park, and offers a spectacular view of Mount Beacon and the Hudson River. There's also a 5.1 mile loop that lets you explore the ruins of the mansion estate and ruins of former president of the National Lead Company, Edward J Cornish. The moderately-challenging path is open from February to November and dogs are welcome on leashes.
Walkway over the Hudson (83 miles from NYC)
The Walkway Over the Hudson spans the Hudson River and connects the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County with the Town of Lloyd and hamlet of Highland in Ulster County, New York. You can walk, bike, blade or scoot over the Hudson River and check out miles of amazing fall foliage along both shores. There's no cost to visit, but keep in mind that this is a nonprofit organization so donations are welcomed. There are multiple tourist shops, food trucks, and comfort stations available throughout the area.
Do you have a favorite place to go hiking with your pup? Share it with us in the comments!
About the Author: Carol Hill is from Bergen County, NJ, and is momager to Ruby @Ruby_Top_of_the_Hills and dog sitter to @FloeyShea (both are sheepadoodles). Ruby is fortunate to have an amazing training team that sees her 2 to 3 times per week to build her control, skills and endurance for training, plus daily at home training by momager. Ruby has an incredible gift for learning and is looking forward to starting her therapy dog training in the next few months.