About a 13-minute drive from the property, Bear Mountain State Park offers many opportunities for enjoying the outdoors, year-round. Activities include hiking the Hudson Highlands, swimming, boating, and fishing on Hessian Lake, ice skating, picnicking in shaded pavilions, and cross-country skiing. A merry-go-round is decorated with hand-carved animals that represent creatures native to the Hudson River Valley, while the park’s Trailside Museum includes a zoo featuring live animals common to the region. Additional exhibits are devoted to natural history, Native American heritage, and the region’s role in the Revolutionary War. A scenic drive leads to the summit of Bear Mountain and the Perkins Memorial Tower, which yields fine views of the Hudson River and surrounding peaks.