[jj-ngg-jquery-slider gallery=17 width=800 height=530]
THE CITY OF PEEKSKILL AREA, boasts of a number of popular parks, recreational areas and hiking areas, including:
- Depew Park – adjacent to Blue Mountain Reservation with an entrance on Welcher Avenue. Depew offers hiking, horseback riding, ball playing, boating, tennis, and other activities. Visit cityofpeekskill.com for details and other information.
- Blue Mountain Reservation – Is a Westchester County park with more than 1,500-acres, offering residents a wide range of recreational activities including cross-country skiing, mountain biking, bird watching, sledding and hiking to the top of both Blue and Spitzenberg mountains (westchestergov.com). The Sportsman Center at Blue Mountain Reservation offers Archery, with a 14-station 3D course, a Pistol Range, Small Bore Range, a Large Bore range with 100 and 200-yard targets, as well as trap and skeet.
- Briarcliff to Peekskill Trailway State Park – Is part of the county’s trail system and is strictly for walkers—no bikers allowed. The 12-mile path ends (or starts, depending on your orientation) in Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill, and offers beautiful vistas and panoramic views along the way (westchestergov.com).
- Peekskill Riverwalk – Spanning from The Fleishmann’s Dock area, runs north along the river past Travis Cove on an elevated walkway, passing The Peekskill Yacht Club and on to Peekskill Landing and the Peekskill Train Station. This Riverwalk continues north along the Hudson River to the Lincoln Depot.
- Lincoln Depot Museum – located at 41 South Water Street, Peekskill, NY. It’s located inside the Peekskill Freight Depot, on the east bank of the Hudson River. This is a 3000 Square foot, restored freight and passenger rail depot where President-elect, Abraham Lincoln stopped to greet New Yorkers during his inaugural train ride between Springfield, Il. and Washington D.C.
THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT contains approximately one dozen town parks. Visit www.townofcortlandt.com for a complete list of parks and Town of Cortlandt information. Some of the most popular include:
- Charles J. Cook Recreational Center – Contains lakes for fishing, picnic grounds, playgrounds, tennis, and a swimming pool, among other facilities and activities.
- Muriel H. Morabito Community Center – Offers a marina, trails, playground and swimming pool.
- Sprout Brook Park – Located in Cortlandt Manor, Sprout Brook Park has a beach, trails, playground, and picnic area.
- Croton Gorge Park – is a 97-acre park in Cortlandt Manor, which is highlighted by the awe-inspiring Croton Dam, and access to the Old Croton Aqueduct, which meanders all the way down to New York City.
- Croton Point Park – Located a short drive down Route 9, in Croton, this park has great camping accommodations and a Hudson River Walkway.
- George’s Island Park – In Montrose, a 185-acre oasis (westchestergov.com).
NEW YORK STATE PARKS:
- BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE RESERVATION – A short drive from River House, the 5,000-acre Bear Mountain State Park is in close proximity to Peekskill and is highlighted by its famous Toll House—the start of the Camp Smith Trail (as listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Immediately north of Peekskill, and bordered by the Hudson River to its east and Harriman State Park to its west, some River House residents consider the nearby parkland their own personal backyard for all kinds of recreational activities. Bear Mountain also offers outstanding vistas at various lookout points, scenic drives like Perkins Memorial Drive, ample hiking and walking trails, and a number of options for mountain climbing, perhaps to Anthony’s Nose. With a wide range of seasonal activities, Bear Mountain also contains an outdoor skating rink with free admission. (Skates may be rented or bring your own.) And, a drive or walk across the scenic Bear Mountain Bridge is a most awe-inspiring experience (nysparks.state.ny.us). The short trip to Bear Mountain must include a stop at the famous Bear Mountain Inn (99 Service Rd. Tompkins Cove, NY 10986). This Inn is listed among the Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America. This Inn features its famous Sunday brunch (11AM – 3PM), Restaurant 1915 and The Blue Roof Bar, The Hikers Café and Stand 10, and The Bear Mountain Trading Post. The Inn also hosts Thanksgiving, Breakfast with Santa, and a fabulous New Year’s celebration. The Inn also has accommodations, including 15 spectacular guest rooms, www.visitbearmountain.com/accommodations/inn/.
- Harriman State Park – www.parksny.gov, Seven lakes Drive/Bear Mountain Circle, Ramapo, NY. Harriman has 200 miles of hiking trails and 31 lakes and reservoirs, two beaches, two public camping areas, miles of streams, wildlife and scenic roads. Major facilities include Lakes Welch, Sabego, Tioriti and Silvermine. Activities include, biking, fishing, hiking, ice fishing, ice skating, swimming, and x-country skiing.
- Anthony’s Nose – hikethehudsonvalley.com/hikes/anthonys-nose. located at the northwestern tip of Westchester county, this peek is 900 feet above sea level. Anthony’s Nose is a very short drive from River House and makes for a great, invigorating, morning or afternoon hike with majestic views of Bear Mountain State Park and The Bear Mountain Bridge/Hudson River.
- Breakneck Ridge – Also a short drive from River House, this peak is 1260 feet above sea level, affording spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. This peak is between Beacon and Cold Spring and is easily accessed along route 9.
- FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT STATE PARK – located in nearby Yorktown Heights, off the Taconic Parkway, offers park patrons a variety of activities including biking, boating, fishing, hiking, ice skating, picnicking, a swimming pool, cross country skiing, and more.