Things to do / Travel Guide
The scenic overlooks in the Catskills and Hudson Valley region aren't only for checking out the fall foliage. You'll find unmatched views of the Hudson, one of the most picturesque rivers in the country, and of waterfalls, rocky mountains and valleys, and of the Catskills.
Scenic Overlooks on the Hudson Highlands
The Hudson Highlands is the mountainous area on either side of the Hudson River from Haverstraw Bay to Newburgh Bay. It includes Bear Mountain, Storm King Mountain, and Mount Beacon, all three of which are excellent places to drive, bike, or hike to and enjoy the view. Furthermore, West Point boasts scenic overlooks of the Hudson Valley in several directions.
Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park are located in a mountainous area on the western side of the Hudson River. The two parks are crowned, as it were, by Bear Mountain, its northernmost point. From atop Bear Mountain you'll be granted 360º vistas. You can also climb up the 40-foot-high Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain and have a loftier perspective of the same panoramic views. The views include seeing New York City to the south, Connecticut across the Hudson River to the east, Mount Beacon to the north and across the Hudson River, and the Shawangunks to the west. You can reach Bear Mountain's summit by car or trail year-round; the tower, however, is only open on the weekends. The route to the top for cars is via the Perkins Memorial Drive, reachable from the Palisades Interstate Parkway by the Seven Lakes Drive.
Storm King Mountain is the northernmost mountain belonging to the Hudson Highlands on the western side of the Hudson River. The mountain is best known for its representations by the artists who comprised the Hudson River School in the 19th century. To get there, you can take Storm King Mountain Road (State Road 218) from U.S. Highway 9W from north or south of the mountain. From the road you can view the verdant mountains downriver, and charming Cornwall-On-Hudson upriver. Mid-river sits the mysterious and deserted Bannerman's Castle, and across the river is the continuation of the Highlands - Mount Beacon.
Mount Beacon is actually twin-peaked, and from its heights the Hudson River was spied during the Revolutionary War. The taller of the two summits, the southern one, has a lookout tower from which you, too, can view the surroundings. The views are beautiful, inspirations for the Hudson River School, and similar to those copped at Storm King Mountain. There are no roads in the vicinity, however, so you'll have to hike up. The Wilkinson Trail, reachable from State Road 9D south of the city of Beacon, gives access to the summit. Be warned that the hike is actually not so easy.
Scenic Overlooks in the Shawangunks and the Catskills
From the famed Mohonk Mountain House in the ‘Gunks you can pay to take the Labyrinth Trail to the top of Skylight Mountain. Farther south, close to Ellenville, Sam's Point is the highest summit of the Shawangunks; atop the sedimentary cliff you're privileged with fantastic panoramic views. A good hint: You don't have to climb up, you can also walk.
Kaaterskill Falls, one of the premier attractions of the Catskills, has been visited by millions and millions of tourists, and has been immortalized by artists such as Washington Irving in “Rip Van Winkle” and painter Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School. From top to bottom the water falls 260 feet, making it the highest waterfall in New York State, and much higher than Niagara Falls. The rock cut by the rushing water is layered sedimentary sandstone and shale; one thing that makes Kaaterskill Falls so visually awesome is that sliced-bread look of the rock. The best way to see the falls is from the bottom looking up. You can get to the base of Kaaterskill Falls by taking the trail deriving from State Road 23A, east of where 23A is joined by State Road 32A.
If you're able to look out from the top you'll witness an impressive vista 1,000 feet from top to bottom. The rock on which you look out is called Artist's Rock; it's filled with centuries-old graffiti, and the artist the place is named for is none other than Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School. The top can be reached by taking State Road 23A west to North Lake Road. This road brings you to North-South Lake Campground, from which you take Catskill Escarpment Trail to the falls. This is all in the vicinity of the city of Catskill.
The formerly-glorious, now bygone Catskill Mountain House was perched atop South Mountain, just above the North/South Lake Campground, along the Catskill Escarpment. Today all that are left of the renowned resort are the forlorn and rotted gateposts, but the stunning view from the cliff down to the Hudson River remains. It is perhaps the most breathtaking view of the Hudson you'll ever see. Additionally, on an especially clear day it's said you can see five states - New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The Mountain House site is also off State Road 23A, via North Lake Road. The whole area of the escarpment and the two lakes is beautiful.
Farther north, a great mountain view awaits you at Lookout Point, along State Road 23 between Catskill and Windham. This is another point from which you can also see the five states.
Farther within the park, between Hunter and Lexington, you can take an all-day hike to the summit of Hunter Mountain, affording great views of verdant mountains.
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