10:30 The lawn behind the History Museum at Trailside Museums and Zoo

What better place to do eagle, butterfly, cow, cobra, and frog poses than the zoo? Start your day with some animal inspired stretching poses and views of the Bear Mountain Bridge, Anthony’s nose, and the Hudson River. Wear clothes you can move around in and bring a mat or towel if you have one. All ages and levels are welcome! No registration required!

Tuesdays in August, Thursdays in September, and Tuesday, October 13th • 10:30AM-11:30 AM at Trailside Museums and Zoo Amphitheater

Do you have a curious cub? Would you like to spend more time in nature? Well, then we’ve got the program for you! Join Trailside Museums and Zoo Educators at the amphitheater for a free morning story time highlighting wildlife in our area. Some story times will feature puppet appearances, a craft, and even a chance to touch real animal fur! Recommended for children 5 and under.

NO Registration Required!

10:00am – 2:30pm Meet at Anthony Wayne Parking Area (exit 17 off Palisades Parkway)

This is the September hike for Trailside Museum and Zoo’s Monthly Hiking Series. This hike will be challenging, but the magnificent views are worth it. From Anthony Wayne parking, we will climb the AT and Timp-Torne trails to West Mountain Shelter. The trail is VERY rocky. Broken in boots with ankle support and a hiking stick or trekking poles are HIGHLY recommended. The total elevation gain is around 700ft. This will be a longer and more strenuous hike than we’ve typically led. Please bring plenty of water and trail snacks or a quick lunch. Total distance 5.3 miles.

Registration Required! Please register here. 

11:00am – 3:00pm Meet outside of the Office at Trailside Museums and Zoo

In our efforts to preserve and educate about native forests we need all the help we can get in removing invasive plants. At this event, Trailside Museum and Zoo educators will share what makes certain plants invasive, show you how to identify these plants, and then lead invasive removal where you can practice your plant identification skills. No prior plant knowledge is necessary! We will provide work gloves but feel free to bring your own. Registration Required! Please register here. 

11:00am – 3:00pm at Trailside Museums & Zoo

Learn about Biodiversity & Local Habitats! Get your Biodiversity Passport and visit our Pond, River, Forest, Woodland Pool, Rocky Summit & Grassland habitat stations to learn what you can do to promote biodiversity and help the plants and animals that call these habitats home. Participate in fun educational activities to earn a stamp at each station and earn a prize when you fill your passport!

No registration required!

10:00-11:00 Meet at Roadside Hiker’s Parking Lot on Kanawauke Rd/Rte. 106, Stony Point, NY

This is the October hike for Trailside Museum and Zoo’s Monthly Hiking Series. This short, easy hike will be a half mile up Irish Mountain to an enormous glacial erratic boulder. Good for first timers or people with young children. The terrain is rocky but slopes gently and should be easy on short and beginner legs. Total distance 1.1 miles. Bring extra water and sturdy, comfortable shoes.

Registration Required! Please register here. 

11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Trailside Museums & Zoo

Enjoy a full weekend of Fall and Halloween-themed fun. Join in family-friendly games, activities, and crafts: pumpkin decorating, matching games, and spooky crafts. Help make Halloween themed animal enrichment for our zoo residents. Wear your favorite not-so-spooky Halloween costume for the costume parade from Bear Mountain Inn to the zoo! 10:00AM START TIME FOR THE PARADE!

No registration required!

10:00-12:30 Meet at Roadside Hiker’s Parking Lot on Kanawauke Rd/Rte. 106, Stony Point, NY

This is the November hike for Trailside Museum and Zoo’s Monthly Hiking Series. This will be a 2.2-mile hike along the Suffern–Bear Mountain. We will come across the ruins of the ORAK mansion and end at the Jackie Jones Fire Tower. *Please note* tower is currently fenced off and not safe to climb. After returning to the parking area, those that would like can join us on the 1.1 mile round trip hike to Irish Mountain to the enormous glacial erratic known as the Irish Potato. Add 45-60 minutes for this short bonus hike. Trails are rocky. Elevation gain: 550 feet. Please bring water and wear good hiking shoes.

Registration Required! Please register here. 

10:00am – 1:00pm Meet in front of Bear Mountain Inn

This is the December hike for Trailside Museum and Zoo’s Monthly Hiking Series. We start at the Bear Mountain Inn, and follow the Appalachian Trail for 1.5 miles to the top of Bear Mountain and Perkins Memorial Tower. We will pause to take in the view and enjoy a snack. We return to the Inn via the Appalachian Trail. Be sure to bring enough water for the whole hike. There are no water sources once we start up the trail. There are porta-potties at the top, but no running water. Hikers report this trail as Moderate to Hard and will involve a 1,131 ft elevation gain over the course of the 1.5 miles. Good trail shoes are essential. Trail snacks recommended. Parking fee at Bear Mountain $10 per car. Total distance 3 miles.

Registration Required! Please register here.

11:00am – 3:00pm at Trailside Museums and Zoo

Come to the zoo and celebrate the winter season with our staff and animals! Enjoy making enrichment presents for our animals, learn about the animals’ winter adaptations, and make some holiday crafts. Activity stations are set up throughout the zoo. Bear Mountain also offers a day of fun at the ice rink, merry-go-round & on the many hiking trails!