Harriman State Park

"Fun with the Family"

This scenic and historic 46,000-acre preserve, less than an hour’s drive from New York City, was created in 1910 from land and cash donated by Mary Harriman and other conservation-minded people. Today the park offers families more than 225 miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, cabins, lots of wildlife, and numerous lakes in which to swim, fish, or paddle a boat. The surrounding mountains, once more than 12,000 feet high like the Rockies, have eroded to expose Precambrian bedrock, maing this one of the oldest land masses in North America. Lake Sebago is a favorite spot for families with small children because of the shady picnic areas and the playground located near the sandy beach. Lake Welch has one of the largest inland beaches in America, but it can get pretty busy on the weekends, as it’s near the Beaver Pond Campground. Rowboat rentals (no gasoline motors allowed) and snacks are available at both lakes in season. Lake Tiorati also has a nice sandy beach and quite a few largemouth bass. A nature museum is near Lake Kanawauke, and the Silver Mine area has trails and picnic grounds. A number of recreational and educational programs are offered throughout the park, from campfire talks to river walks. There are trails to tempt everyone here, including a segment of the Appalachian Trail, but some of the more popular hikes for families with young children are along the 3-mile-loop trail to Pine Swamp Mine and the 4-mile-loop trail to Pine Meadow Lake. Stop by the Park Visitor Center (located on the Palisades Interstate Parkway) for maps, fishing licenses, and current activities schedules.