Reviews of Trailside Museums & Zoo (Zoo)

ponciano ponce

Old museums and small zoo. Lots of people on Sunday. Free entrance and parking.

Sam Yoo

Enjoyed the zoo, opens at 1030 and closes at 430. Small zoo overall but my family was still able to enjoy about 45 minutes going through. Bear exhibit is first, followed by an indoor fish and reptile room (need masks), then the remainder is outdoors and mostly a variety of birds (bald eagle, hawks, turkey, etc..). There's also a coyote exhibit at the end.

Pattyn Snyder

My young daughters enjoyed seeing the animals. We'll come back when it's a little warmer.

Zenghost 13

Nice little park and zoo, not many animals but it was nice

Douglas Indzonka

Reservation recommended

Marilyn Ostrovsky

Pretty trail to walk, especially in the fall.

Kyler Gilroy

Free entry. It feels good to know that most animals in the zoo are actually injured and couldn't survive being out in the wild.

Mitra Sadeghipour

It's really nice. Socially distancing with mask! They're really doing a great job taking care of them ❤️

Serhiy Tsyganok

Wait time

Andrea Hiotis

I loved it because it's were I spend time with my family and we hike we swim at the pool and we love the awesome zoo

Lisa S

This is such a cute little zoo that is free. However, they only ask for a small donation of a minimum of $1.00. They don't have a lot of animals, but it has enough to keep small children interested. It is a nice place to pass through and visit before going to the lake.

Joseph McKeon

Not a lot of animals but it's free so can't complain. A good weekend activity.

Vinny Montalbano

A wonderful place for a walk and to see the animals.

Steven Prida

It would have been nice except for everyone trashing the place. You can't walk 10 feet with seeing trash on the ground. A lot of the animal exhibits were closed. I can imagine when it was first opened it was amazing but now it seems like people come up from the city and trash it just like how the city has trash everywhere. It's really sad a lot of people don't have enough human decency to respect such a beautiful historical marvel.

Wally Miranda

Really enjoyable trek to the zoo. It complemented the lakeside BBQ with the family. We discovered the huge pool, and at $5.00 per person, well worth it.

Tara Dexter

Price for adult entry

Moses Tiamiyu

A perfect escape from the hustle of New York City, great options for your mind during this pandemic, you can visit with your close friends and family’s wearing your mask and practicing social distance and having memorable fun time. The park features overnight accommodation, site camping, a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trail and lots of historic attractions. My recommendations at summer: If possible visit during the week you could have the whole park to yourself ????. You love to grill yes this is the right place to make those spicy summer grills. It’s a perfect place for camping make sure you contact the park. At Fall: The sight of fall foliage at this park is awesome make plans to go with cameras, tripods, drones, sunrise and sunsets pictures are mostly recommended. Winter: outdoor rink is opened to ice skaters from October through mid March. Make it a must on your outdoor bucket list.

Michelle P

Beautiful place for a day picnic, reach early to get a good spot.

Resonant Reads

Very nice place to go and spend time with family!!

Sean O'Connell

What I love about Bear Mountain Zoo is that it is a home for rehabilitated wild animals. A lot of the animals have permanent injuries and cannot be released into the wild. My granddaughters really understood why the zoo was caring for these animals. Many of the animals have information posted as to their injuries or how they were injured. It is an excellent teaching moment for children. We adopted Chompy the Beaver thru the Zoo's sponsorship program for a birthday gift and we hope to continue this annually. The Zoo should promote that program more. I think many more families would participate. My granddaughter cannot wait to visit Chompy again. I wish the animals had bigger areas to move around in - the bobcats seem a bit cramped but hopefully that is something that might be improved in the future. The staff is very knowledgeable and caring! Thank you for all you do!

Diana Rodriguez

Visited on

Jeffrey Hsi

Free! Great little hike with a pedestrian bridge from Fort Montgomery that leads straight into the zoo! My young kids loved the hike and seeing the animals after before hiking back.

Sade M

I've been up there many times and I found it very interesting and I hope for you all tengo and she at and help support New York State Parks

Michael Lillils

We come here once a year as a family and always have a great time even though the zoo is small it's still very informative and fun! I recommend highly, give it a shot!

Adventure Traveling

Awesome museums plus mini zoo with lots of surprise my son loves it!! Oh guys park your car ???? at bear mountain park parking lot and walk through trail to zoo nice walk with mini Tunnel

Kate Nicole Barol

A great place for a nice walk. Lovely small zoo. Great for kids and adults.

Sarah Kherief

Free

Nini Kaur

Not really a zoo as one would imagine. But there some cool animals such as black bears, coyotes. The bald eagle is really big. Had no idea they were that large.

Lauren Scofield

Incredible place ! Outrageous views beautiful scenery animal sanctuary is awesome everything about this place is great for the families and groups

Marisol Hay

We enjoyed so much the walking!!! Is a very nice and peaceful place with a Lots of space to be and explore

Natalia Tereshuk

Great zoo and museum complex with a lot to see. Features native Hudson Valley animals in a scenic forest setting.

Andrew Hummel

No wait

Robert Tighe

Oh I loved it. I went there on a Saturday.

Charles R Hayden

Stumbled on this place by chance while in the area, and have to say it was a cute little area with beautiful views. It definitely didn't suck. Admittedly, didn't see much in the zoo itself, but that could have been impacted by time of visit (the fox and the bears were sleeeeeping). But a beautiful area and worth swinging by if you have the chance.

C “Just a honest guy” H

So great to see the care that the park shows to injured animals. Definitely donate if you can spare it when you go through.

marceloevera2009

Beautiful views, Hiking, row boats. There is a zoo here also. Bear Mountain is a great location to take the family. People need to clean up their garbage or it ruins the land for the wildlife and humans alike.

Tazmin Bill (Tazmin)

Always pleasure to visit the zoo.My kids always enjoy exploring and learning at the zoo

DOMINGOS FALCAO

Takenbreath views,pure air,nature , awesome

Maxim Kushnir

Had a great time with family and friends it was pretty clean.

Nakis Perry

I just saw two bears within 25 feet of me on the Appalachian Trail, now I have a great AT story, when I leave out the part it was on the AT in the zoo.

Brant Silvers

A worthwhile addition to Great Bear Park. Wish there were just a few more animals. Love the bears!

Amy Hall

No

Gary M

Nice place to take the kids for free. HINT: Park across the bridge on Route 9D (on the shoulder) and walk across the bridge to the Zoo entrance on the left. It's a great view and save the $10 parking fee.

Karl Granchalek

Great for kids! Relaxing and beautiful scenery

AE Conn

Fun educational place to go with young kids or just to get out and see wildlife.

Maritza Felix

I remember coming here when I was in grammar school and my friend found this place up. He works nearby and we went there for the first time today. We had a blast, amazing place to go to. Very family-oriented, nice & clean. It is furbaby approved. I highly recommend this place for family and couples or by yourself.

Mitchell Harrison

It was a great pastime activity and it's good for calming down active kids.

ahron chazan

Such a nice place for the whole family. Clean and friendly staff A+++

Daniel Kaj

Highly recommended, the Museum is good and there are a ton of animals. The coyote exhibit was extended a few years back and now has a viewing balcony.

Jennifer Lucero

It's free but you can donate. It was really nice i liked the walk and thatis very close to the pool

Andre Marks

There wasn't much animal due to the season but the overall experience was super great.

Nishanth C

Don't expect too much, but for a state park to keep a small zoo, I would appreciate that. When you are doing a picnic, kids can have another side activity.

Raakesh Desai

I realized that I do not like zoo. Hearts my heart to see animals in the box. But this zoo is good as soon as you make sure you donate some couple of dollars.

Can N

Great place to visit on nice weather days. Nice walking trails and exhibits. Parking was a bit confusing.

Donaldo Colindres

Beautiful State Park,the city people Ruin it with their trash Scattered and the Restrooms are FILTHY.TOILET PAPER STRUNG ALL OVER.What a Shame. The Scenery is Gorgeous. Cleanliness and Maintenance LACK.

Jamie Sabatino

Zoo has an amazing collection of local animals in their natural habitat. Along with bears, all the local wildlife from beavers, owls, eagles, reptiles all are easily viewable and very educational for people. All trails are well shaded even on a hot day it is amazingly cool!

alex medina

Love this small beautiful zoo. An most importantly is that there are lost of animals that have been injured an are being well taken care of by the staff. Such a nice gesture. The museum part is also something nice to look an learn about the history of the area. I suggest that we donate at the beginning or end at the main entrance, I do all the time.

R S

A real gem, quite unique Zoo The kids love it

Erica Lee Mitti

Great experience to swim and have a nice look around with beautiful views. But the zoo exhibits seemed too small for the animals.

Bill G

Really long walk and up hills

Joe Davido

Very entertaining & educational. There are some amazing scenic views.

Steven Slofsky

Small zoo , fun for smaller kids.. No entry fee..

Liss Bustop

Very crowded, food is double what it should be, but except for parking it's free and it's wonderful for the kids. Plus the food was freshly made and really hit the spot! Great family fun. ????

Rachelle Sumersford

Good zoo for adults, kids probably won't be too fond of the place since there aren't many animals. Museum had a lot of interesting facts, would recommend!

Menucha Citron

Lots of fun, stroller friendly! We enjoyed it even in the rain. It's a good mix of easy hike/walking trail and wildlife/zoo.

Maxwell Wermuth

Love the park! Use to go with my kids years ago.

Kate Long

We love this little zoo. The animals are all local animals who are injured or otherwise unable to live in the wild, so set your expectations accordingly. My 2 year old absolutely loves this zoo and it’s the perfect size for him. He is …

Shmuel Wachsler

Great day with the grandkids. Like no other zoo, all the animals are indigenous to the area.

Piyush Choudhary

Took the kids here for an outing, inexpensive place to take the kids. Not a lot to see and there is a bit of walking (so wear a good pair of shoes and if it's a hot day be sure to bring some water)

BJ

Museum and zoo are together. Three small buildings are well arranged and interesting. Just not on the trail of hiking.

Csongor Varga

Weekend

Jacob

We really like the zoo. Nicely done, small details everywhere. The entire setting is beautiful, nice view over the Hudson and the bridge.

Mary O'Connell

Really delightful and lovely. It was the perfect sized zoo for young and old with a fabulous selection of animals.

N. Z

Really lame. The zoo was basically a few birds and a coyote. Not worth going out of your way to see.

Sue L

An truly beautiful morning and what a wonderful zoo. A no frills all natural experience, the zoos setting couldn't be better placed. The animals on display were wonderful and representative of local biology. Highly recommend a trip even if you have to go out of your way.

Meghan Curley

very cute & easy trail! We saw bears, a fox, a bob cat, a bald eagle & quite a few other animals. They’re all well taken care of and many of them have been rescued post accidents.

Lauren Osterman

The park was amazing it allowed for us to see many animals bug also take a hike and see nature and the animals

Robert Berman

It's a bit of a hike to get to, but it's a perfect sized zoo for the little ones.

Eli Cook

Nice little zoo of rescued animals. Great place to bring children. Bear Mountain State Park was a great place to walk around and see beautiful scenery of the Hudson.

Evan Wong

Meh. I really want to appreciate Bear Mountain's attempt at making a satisfactory zoological park, but I really cant. Enclosures are cramped, animals look pathetic and bored. Some were pacing which is a sign of stress. Also FULL of wild turkey vultures that are always, disgustingly and creepily, watching you. Overall, not a very favourable experience. I wish they got enough donations to put their time and effort into the zoo, rather than the hotel, which was always nice.

Karla Daniela Flores Ramos

Great place for kids and adults to walk and hike

Jaime Flores Chanel 1

I always like to take my Mom there.????????

918ausi

Spent a good time with family. Bears are amazing, there are also some birds, beaver, lake and swimming pool. Very affordable !

Brandt Ameigh

Nice, small zoo that is free of charge (except parking during summer and weekends) and great hiking and picnicking areas. It has a fun selection of local animals and local history.

David Clark

Nice park but almost no animals !

Merin Aby

Kind of low on variety, but it’s free and a nice addition to a hiking day.

Danielle C

Path to bridge and also shore and train track kids had great time

Henny L

I've found the trails and the very pleasant to visit for a Sunday day trip at any time of the year. Parts of the trail are so quit an peaceful with incredible views of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain Bridge.

Maria S

Very nice stroller friendly hike/walk, looking at the animals and beautiful views along the way. However, some of the birds in the zoo pond had their wings cut in a weird way - it was clearly uncomfortable for them and they scratched them and could hardly dive into the water with it - very painful to see. Don’t put the birds into the pond if you can’t keep them without injuring them.

Sarita Hedaya

Very sad! I think they missed the part of rescue with our wildlife and possibly became a place of neglect for these animals. Vultures are waiting! Animals are so sad and stressed. I'm shocked inspectors haven't closed the place down as far as wildlife goes. Do visitors really not see this or are those sections closed so that only the hickers get a view of the truly sad part! What kind of rehabilitation place is this??? Please let these animals go to a rescue zoos that knows how to take care of them.

Reta Mahl

Had a great time here. Very big park and a lot of history and nice place to paddle boat. Has a very high pool and the zoo is very nice mad has really cool animals there.

Michael Roithmayr

SO sad for the animals there. While they are keeping previously injured or orphaned animals, this place is a really sad existence for the animals contained there. I saw the 2 bobcats, separated and not together because of past fighting (info direct from zoo employee/docent) each pacing insanely because their enclosure is way too small, with nothing to do all day except sleep or walk in a tight 6 ft circle over and over. The HUGE bald Eagle was in a cage with no height, no room to fly, so sad. I watched him watching the hawks fly up above, heartbreaking and to think everyday for him is the exact same, nothing to do. Another cage with a lone red tailed hawk... the bear enclosure, poor. These animals are in a prison. Turkey vultures are all over, curious if they sense the miserable state of the animals hence their presence in alarming numbers. I know this zoo is donation only with a suggested donation of $1.00 so funds are tight, but give these animals a chance to live, transfer them out of there to better facilities!! Unless millions of dollars are going to go into building a massive facility, like tomorrow, this place should really get these animals out of there.....just so sad.

Native Diva

The highlight of my cross country season. It's such a fun place to look at the animals and everything. It's a very enjoyable and such a fun day out! Recommended

Sue Castillo

Great place to spend the afternoon with the kids

David Bongiovanni

Beautiful

Byron Iturbo

There is a little small but, interested for youths visitor's so they can joined, for adults to as well ah go there with time so you can't missed any details of it, the exhibition is free but, please make some donations to them because they need our help to keeping the all operations available for all visitor's.

Ayaulym Zhastalapkyzy

Amazing place for visiting with Family and friends!!!????????✌????????????????????????

Stefan Copil

$10 for parking, few local animals which are in recovery, paddling amenities at the lake, good for walking

Hugh Moore

Nice trail with interesting trail side museums, nice fauna and countryside views. Saw bears, coyotes, birds etc - hopefully the new construction will include bigger enclosures for them all.

Emily Taylor

Why is this zoo closing at 3:30? This zoo should have the same hourd as any other zoo in the state and it should be open until 5 pm.

Maria Taylor

Cool spot to look at some New York history. Griffith Park has a lot of history, trails, golf courses and some hidden gems if you look for it. Travel town is another place I recommend there.

SHIMON HOUSMAN

Really nice and especially a great experience in COVID. They handled this very well and I hope you enjoy coming here!

Eric Bautista

Nice terrarium and interesting historic museum. Enjoyable walk to see Hudson region native animals and birds

Joseph Lieder

Lots of fun

Catherine Sharp

Love the bear mountain zoo such an incredible thing they do for wounded animals love to come and visit and give every year

Mary Barbone

Great place to spend family time!

Bonnie Dumont

We’ve been to Bear Mountain many times with the family, but this is the first chance we’ve had to check out the trail side museum. The exhibits were very informative and my daughter fell in love with some of the animals. It’s definitely worth a visit!

Rachana Thakor

❤️

Barbara Schermerhorn

Nothing jaw dropping but is worth the walk.