Trailside Museums & Zoo, Bear Mountain

About Trailside Museums & Zoo

Trailside Museums & Zoo occupies a section of the Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain State Park, overlooking the Hudson River. Visitors walk a fully paved, self-guided trail past exhibits of non-releasable native animals and four distinct museums. The Herpetology Museum displays live reptiles, amphibians and fish. The Geology Museum showcases geologic specimens and local rock formations. The Nature Study Museum houses small animal specimens including insects, birds and mammals. The History Museum interprets Native American artifacts, colonial history, Revolutionary War displays and the legacy of Boy Scouts founder Dan Beard. Along the trail, visitors encounter native plants, forest habitat and scenic views. The site suits families with young children and people with limited mobility, as the main trail and zoo terrain are paved, though some areas are hilly. A typical visit lasts one to two hours. Trailside is located in Bear Mountain State Park on the western bank of the Hudson River near the Bear Mountain Bridge.