Cancel

Open app

Search

Mt. Beacon Park

4.5 (36 reviews)
Closed 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Mt. Beacon Park Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Mt. Beacon Park

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Mike G.

Want to go to this place foe a while elevation was 1500+feet to Mount Beacon Fire Tower! The trail's a bit of a workout, but reaching the top is well worth it

The fire tower
Noel M.

This is an awesome moderately difficult hike around the Hudson highlands. This is about 4.4 miles out and back from trailhead to fire tower and back. A total of about 1,500 elevation gain and will take an average hiker about 3-4 hours to complete including rest time, snacking, taking photos and enjoying the views. Highlights of this hike is the railway ruins, 200 step stairs at the start, Casino cliff top overlook, railway machinery ruins and the fire tower. They have ample space at the car parking lot (trailhead), has two charging stations for your car if needed and two portable restrooms. On the first mile going up, you will feel as if you are climbing stairs due to the steepness, a very good cardio workout, the second half going up is less steep, lots of rocks and pebbles on the pathway which can cause some people to lose their footings, so you just have to be very careful. Due to the steepness of the trail you will always pass by some people trying to catch their breath and having a momentary rest. Halfway up you will be rewarded by a nice casino overlook cliff top view, a good place to rest after the tough trail up. Don't forget to visit the railway machinery ruins which is near the casino overlook cliff top view. Once you get to the fire tower at the very top you will be greeted with an open - spectacular 360 mountain top view, lots of nice spots to have a photo or selfie, and you get the chance to climb up the fire tower if you have no fear of heights. Trekking this trail is impressive, wonderful, fantastic and marvelous as to what it offers.

Last leg of the trail.  Quite steep.
John C.

It's definitely a bit tough for beginners. We did the 2.1 mile trail from the parking lot to the fire tower. The first half of the trail was quite steep. And most of the trail consisted of lots of loose rock. So, going was slow and deliberate. I think my sister and mom and I are in good shape. It took us 56 minutes to get to the top and 50 minutes to get down, with no rest. We were huffing and puffing and dripping sweat the entire way up, and even on the way down. Those loose pebbles can get tricky on the way down. Next time I'm wearing biking gloves, in case I slip. That way, my hands won't get cut on the rocks. (I slipped about a foot on the way down, but managed to catch myself before going down.) But the view from the top was totally worth it. The fire tower was an added bonus. It's about 6 stories tall. It was fairly easy walking up, as you don't need to look down through all the metal slats. No such luck going down. You must look down. And the steps are narrow, so it forces you to step somewhat sideways. If you don't step sideways, you'll scrape the back of your ankles on the steps. Parking wise, there's a decent size lot. When full, I hear you can park on the side of the road. We went on a weekday, and in the afternoon. So, the lot was only half full when we got there, and even less full when we were done in the later afternoon. We saw lots of people sitting down on the side of the trail, taking breaks. It's definitely not for most beginners. But, finishing the challenge was definitely worthwhile. Now, I'll have to give my knees a few days' break.

Yep that is the only restroom.
Erica F.

We we're supposed to go camping, however the weather looked not very appropriate so we decided to just go around a hike for a bit. There are 3 types of hiking trails as we know. The shorter one we took cause the others were either 3.5 miles or 7 miles. We took the 1.5 miles hike and it was very tiring but worth it. Make sure to bring plenty of water. We also saw a lot of people binging their pets for the hike, so if you wanna bring your furry friend go right ahead. Up there you will see the train machinery that was used to get Up there in the past. After you finish the hike let me k ow how you liked it.

Suzanne F.

A perfect morning hike in the middle of the winter. A little bit of snow and ice made for a beautiful, relaxing, brisk hike. As we are new to hiking we stayed on the red trail. We did the entire hike in about two 2 1/2 hours. We went up to the old casino. There are great views from here of Beacon and the bridge. Definitely check out the remains they are kindNeat. There is a deli right across the street to grab a hot cup of coffee or an egg sandwich when you're done.

Tiffany C.

This is our favorite hike! Every year we drive up from the city and take this hike. This time we took our pup for his 1st Birthday ! The hike is steep but the view is majestic. We were able to see the mountain beyond and the city below. Definitely take this hike it took us about 35 minutes to go up. It's about a 4.4 mile hike.

My distance to fire tower, time, pace and elevation gain stats. I took about a 20 min break at tower with people I was with.
Eric R.

This section of Beacon Mountain is by far the steepest elevation gain in a short amount of time that I have experienced. So many people come out to this very spot looking like they expect a walk in the park which in my opinion this is not. I absolutely love this trail because of the very fact that it is a very steep incline that I can climb quickly & burn some intense calories. For an experienced hiker like myself it takes me about 15-18 mins to get to the top from the parking lot gate. For the inexperienced this will take about about an hour, maybe a little longer, with lots of breaks. I don't advise hiking this if you are not in average physical condition because it will get the heart pumping. I've seen people give up as soon as the stairs that lead up the trail. Beacon offers a vast amount of foot trails that span a good distance which is why so many people in the area and NYC love to venture up this mountain. If you're coming up for just the view I recommend being in decent/average physical condition. If you are a beginner and simply want an easy hike with a great view I always highly recommend Anthony's Nose further down the road about 12 miles near Bear Mountain. Anthony's is a shorter, less steep climb on the foot trail with an amazing view. If you dare to venture up Beacon bring lots of water, a walking stick if you have one, good sneakers (preferably hiking shoes) and a camera for the top. Take your time going up and enjoy the view when you make it. I recommend going all the way to the fire tower (an extra mile further) but most people will enjoy the top view and head back down.

Shams N.

Great mountain with a few different trails based on your interests. We opted for the Fire Tower Trail (red to white) which gave us sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and beyond at various points. If you are lucky enough to get a clear day, you won't be disappointed. We also stopped by the old Casino remains, which is limited now to just the gears and some foundation pieces. We also did a bit of back trail walking to the Beacon Reservoir (beautiful little hidden gem). If you're looking for quiet and beautiful foliage, this is your spot! The trailhead also has a fairly big parking lot, as well as a bodega like grocery store across the way. There town of Beacon also has a free shuttle service that runs a loop around Beacon from the train station to the trailhead.

The terrain the entire way. Very steep and filled with small rocks. (Hubs killin' it up there!) sorry for the crappy photo.
Sari Marissa G.

We recently drove through Hudson River Valley and spoke yet again about our hike up Mt Beacon. I couldn't believe I didn't have a review for it. In fact, I swore I did! A couple of years back hubs and I stopped in Beacon/Newburgh on our way to a wedding up north and decided to do a hike here. The hike wasn't the easiest. While I only clocked it around 6 miles round trip and it was a clear path, it was on a very steep incline the entire way, and completely rocky. (My tush hurt so bad/good in my heels at the wedding!) The views you have as your reward at the top are worth the trek. You can see all the way out to NYC on a clear day, but all the time you get nice views of the Hudson River, the Beacon-Newburgh Bridge and the towns below. There's also a fire tower you can climb for an even better view that's a little farther up! Lots of creepy ruins up there too! While we tackled this mount one afternoon in late summer, I can imagine it's especially beautiful in fall and near sunset! We didn't park in the lot rather on a residential street. We asked the neighbors the best place to park for access and they led us here. I'm sorry I don't remember the name but it was a small, one lane street. Don't be afraid to ask the locals. We returned to our car and heard our wedding song not once, but twice on the radio. That and what we had just accomplished together made this afternoon a perfect one for us. We capped the day off with pumpkin brews at Town Crier in the quaint little town down below. Great day! We would absolutely do it again and recommend it!

Akarshita S.

Yet another beautiful hike in the Hudson highlands. Seriously, how amazing is this area. A great hike is waiting for you every five minutes! Coming back to this particular hike, it's 4.2ish mile out and back with spectacular 360 degree views from the top and a bonus fire tower that you can climb for even more awesome views. We went there on a Saturday. The parking is big but given that it was a nice sunny fall day, we had to wait around 10 mins to get a spot. The climb is tough not because it's difficult to climb but because it's a constant uphill walk with no respite for around 40 mins. Once you cross the first view point (the casino ruins), the hike to the fire tower is not that difficult. And the payoff is huge! Would highly recommend carrying on to the fire tower if you've made the effort to leave your couch to visit this mountain. Once you reach the fire tower, the views would make you forget the tiredness of the hike. You'll have views of rolling hills as far as the eye can see in all directions and on a clear day, you can see as far as New York City. Climbing the fire tower improves the views even further but it is a nerve wracking climb. Wouldn't recommend it for people scared of heights. All in all, I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny fall day. Also, a bonus for us was to have a chance to check out the main street in Beacon, NY. Great vibe, delicious food! Perfect for a post hike food binge.

John B.

Short, sharp and a bitch. I came prepared for a Sunday stroll....don't. It's the hill that just keeps on climbing....it gets 3 stars because it's a great view at the top...worth the 30mins of exertion...not so sure. So, in essence, don't wear sneakers, do bring water, and you're good to go.

Kayla W.

It's not a very hard hiking trail. You do need to hike all the way up, so be prepared at the beginning. The trail got flat after reaching the first view point. The view is amazing! Be sure to get to the top and climb up the tower! Enjoy the day hike!

Cristina X.

5+/5 for the amazing 360 degrees panoramic view on the top of mountain beacon. I can even see the sky line of New York City on a good day! (70miles * pi ^2 of New York State ?! Could be even larger than what I can see on the top of one world observatory!) 3.5/5 for the trail: its a short and easy trail (5-6miles approx) with straight-forward uphill path for most of it. Unlike other trails covered in grass and stones, this one is all sand/dirt. So make sure you wear shoes that you don't mind to get dirty =) Worth a visit for this incredible view!

Found some pretty cool rock sculptures

See all

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mike G.
7
10
104

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Noel M.
531
212
1125

4 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Joy G.
1637
1542
934

6 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 18
Thanks 0
Love this 14
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of John B.
211
387
1430

10 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0
Photo of Kayla W.
58
48
156

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kate K.
591
812
2039

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Great park with a good atmosphere. My daughter loves going as long as it isn't too hot or cold out.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Soy L.
4
1002
62

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Mt. Beacon Park

Review Highlights - Mt. Beacon Park

Once you cross the first view point (the casino ruins), the hike to the fire tower is not that difficult.

Mentioned in 13 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Parks 1,072 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Hudson Highlands State Park

Hudson Highlands State Park

(73 reviews)

I visited Hudson Highlands State Park for the first time to hike the Blue Trail, also known as the…read moreCornish Trail. It was only my third time hiking, and that's when I realized how much I love hiking. I definitely plan to hike more often. The Blue Trail is considered beginner-friendly, I found parts of it a bit challenging because of the incline. Still, the effort was worth it, the view of South Beacon Mountain was absolutely beautiful. The hike itself was a great experience, especially with friends. Near the train station, there are small shops where you can grab food, drinks, or any last-minute supplies. There are also restrooms by the station and portable toilet near the trail areas. I would definitely come back to hike there again, maybe do the red trail.

One of the best hikes that I have gone on this year! Initially, we were going to do the Bull Hill…read moreFull Loop which is an estimated 3-4 hours. This is definitely a moderate trail. If you go in the winter, take caution with the ice when climbing to the top. After about an hour into the trail, you will see a sign to continue on the Full Loop or the Short Loop. When we reached that point, we switched to the Bull Hill Short Loop. It took around 3 hours to complete. The trails have beautiful views! You will see other hikers, but everyone keeps a safe distance. Take time to stop and enjoy the surrounding. There are portable toilets at the beginning of the trail with hand sanitizers if you need to use a bathroom.

Mt. Beacon Park - parks - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...