The Palisades of the Hudson
Trails
Scenic Byway
Henry Hudson Drive Palisades Interstate Parkway
Picnic Areas
Ross Dock Picnic Area Englewood Picnic Area Undercliff Picnic Area Alpine Picnic Area
Overlook Areas
Allison Park State Line Lookout
Historic Sites
Fort Lee Historic Park The Kearney House Women’s Federation Monument
Hazard’s Boat Ramp
Greenbrook Sanctuary
Park Headquarters
PARK MAP (pdf)
Hiking
Picnics + Grilling
Cycling
Boating + Paddling
Fishing + Crabbing
Park Programs + Calendar
Nature
History
PARK MAP (pdf)

August 2024

Members of the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club took advantage of a picture-perfect summer evening to paddle across the river and visit us at the historic Kearney House.
Click here to learn more about the long tradition of coming to the Palisades by canoe and kayak! Photos: Eric Nelsen | YPRC.

June 2024

A small but intrepid group of hikers braved the heat to enjoy some cool river breezes during our annual “Solstice Hike.” The group stopped to read from Emerson — and then caught the nearly full moon as it rose over the Hudson.
Photos by Louise Savage & Emily DeSimone.

March 2024

For the first weekend in March, we had a sunny day to take a hike into Fort Lee History. From the American Revolution to early film-making to the mighty GWB, we covered it all!
Photos by Emily DeSimone & Francesca Costa.

January 2024

Hikers braved a January cold snap to learn about historic Skunk Hollow and then, a few nights later, snuck in between the rain drops to visit the “Eastern Witness” on our annual Wolf Moon Hike.
Photos by Emily DeSimone, Francesca Costa & Anthony Taranto.

December 2023

Our park carpenters rebuilt the stairs on the Long Path where it crosses the entrance to Greenbrook Sanctuary.
Photos by Francesca Costa.

November 2023

As we do each year at the historic Kearney House, we closed out our season with “Thanksgiving Time at Mrs. Kearney’s tavern,” featuring the singular musical genius of Mr. Thaddeus MacGregor, two crackling firesides — and plenty of Mrs. Kearney’s famous hot mulled cider (we served up seven gallons over two afternoons)! Click here to see what’s up next at “Mrs. Kearney’s tavern”…!
Photos by Anthony Taranto.
We commemorated the 247th anniversary of the start of Washington’s historic “Retreat to Victory” at Fort Lee Historic Park with reenactments, demonstrations, a parade — and a visit from the General himself! Visit our event page for more photos of this exciting event!
Photos by Anthony Taranto.

October 2023

Our fall season got off to a spirited start with “Punch & Pie at Mrs. Kearney’s tavern”!
Tavern photos by Francesca Costa. Turnip heads photo by Eric Nelsen.

June 2023

We marked the longest evening of the year with our annual Solstice Hike along the riverfront from Alpine Picnic Area — stopping at sunset to read Emerson’s description of a summer evening from 1838.
Photos: Emily DeSimone and Louise Savage.

May 2023

We had a great time at the Flower Moon Beach Fire at the beach at Alpine Picnic Area!
Photos: Jane Adler, Kitty Kitik, Francesca Costa, and Robert Hepperle.

April 2023

Jane Adler and Joanne Green, members of our new Interpretive Ranger Pilot Program, tried on some different garb for a tavern program at the Kearney House. They then took advantage of a rainy weekend to continue their training with a tour of some of the nearby places where former residents of the historic house now rest or are commemorated for their service to the country.
GWB on a rainy day
Later that day, while stopping to check in on Hazard’s Ramp, Joanne captured a dramatic angle on the George Washington Bridge.
Photos courtesy of Joanne Green.
We installed another interpretive panel funded by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey at Fort Lee Historic Park. This one, placed at the vista at the very southern end of the Park, helps visitors understand the strategic value of the site in 1776. Stop by and check it out!
Photos: Eric Nelsen.

March 2023

Around 75 hikers joined us for a history hike to “Cliffhanger Point,” stopping on the way to learn about the fabled Riviera Nightclub — and taking a stroll onto the newly opened “Northwalk” of the George Washington Bridge!
Photos: Emily DeSimone.

February 2023

Another new sign funded through the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey went up at Fort Lee Historic Park, this one a welcome banner with an introduction to the Fort Lee story on the other side.
Photos: Francesca Costa.
Around 25 hikers took advantage of some bright February sunshine to explore “Closter Mountain” on a winter history hike.
Photos: Emily DeSimone.

January 2023

Hikers braved some overcast skies for our annual tour of “Millionaires Row” to learn the stories behind the ruins and remains of some of the grand Gilded Age estates that once graced the Palisades.
Photos: Emily DeSimone & Francesca Costa.
Despite some scattered showers in the forecast, around 30 hikers joined us for our annual “Wolf Moon Hike” at State Line Lookout, where we visited the “Eastern Witness” monument — and made it back to Lookout Inn for some hot beverages at the fireside just before the rain started for real!
Hike photos: Francesca Costa.
We brought the 18th and 19th centuries together for a “First Day” program at Fort Lee Historic Park. Our historical interpreters from the Kearney House (closed for the winter) teamed up with our Fort Lee staff to serve some home-made hot cocoa and to lead a walking tour in the Historic Park — while Mr. Thaddeus MacGregor (of Kearney House tavern fame!) provided the musical accompaniment. Around two hundred 21st-century visitors joined the fun on a beautiful New Years Day — including our old friend Len Kalvert, who shared these photos with us!
Also at Fort Lee, we installed the first of three new interpretive panels funded by the Society of the Cincinnati in New Jersey, this one explaining the significance of the reconstructed blockhouse on the grounds. The other two panels will be installed soon!

December 2022

Even when they are centered many miles offshore, strong storm systems at sea can drive tidal surges far up the Hudson estuary, as shown in these photos of Alpine and Englewood Picnic Areas taken by the staff of the Kearney House. Occurrences like these have become more frequent in recent years.

November 2022

Staff members Francesca Costa and Emily DeSimone captured some ghostly glimpses of our fall “tavern” events at the Kearney House, above, while below, guest Elio Mena caught Eric Nelsen as he recited “The Raven” for “Tales of the Macabre,” our annual tribute to Edgar Allan Poe.

 

Reciting The Raven at the Kearney House

October 2022

Anthony Taranto captured the beauty of fall light along the Palisades shore at Alpine Picnic Area.
Gabriele Schmitt captured a different aspect of fall light on a misty day at the State Line Hawk Watch.

September 2022

When our old friend Chad Hill told us he wanted to try out a c. 1891 tintype camera at the Kearney House, we were happy to oblige! Thank you Chad for a great afternoon of time travel!
Tintypes by Chad Hill. Behind-the-scenes photos by Eric Nelsen.

August 2022

NPCA group photo
Historian and friend of the park Peggy Norris took this timeless shot of the Palisades on a beautiful late summer afternoon aboard the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, sailing from the dock at Alpine Picnic Area.

 

NPCA group photo
Smile! :)
A great group of kids from Brooklyn and Queens poses for a picture at the end of a visit to the park, where they got to go for a hike, seine in the Hudson, and do some time travel at the Kearney House! The program was coordinated by the National Parks Conservation Association and Millennium Development.
Photo: Francesca Costa.

July 2022

The Green Team from Groundworks Hudson Valley in Yonkers worked to repair the trails near our most popular waterfall, Peanut Leap Cascade. This project was made possible through our partnership with the Appalachian Mountain Club and their NY/North Jersey chapter. Thank you for your dedicated hard work, and go team!
Work project photos courtesy of the Trail Crew.
We had a beautiful July day for our annual “Sea Glass Hunt!” with Mrs. Kearney’s crew. A few nights later, visitors had a chance to step back in time at “Mrs. Kearney’s tavern”…
At Behind the Times
Sea Glass photos by Louise Savage. “Behind the Times” photo by Emily DiSimone.

May 2022

As our sign says, Huyler’s Landing was a multiracial, multiethnic boatmen community along the Hudson River in the 1800's. Through historic markers, the Palisades Interstate Park and organizations like Bergen County Historical Society remember Catherine Brown and countless others who lived their lives here.
If you see vandalism on one of our signs, please let us know so we can restore it ASAP!

April 2022

A HUGE thank you to volunteers from the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society chapter at Immaculate Heart Academy who worked tirelessly to remove unsightly graffiti from trees and beautify the area surrounding the Women’s Federation Monument.
Meanwhile, at the historic Kearney House, we partied like it was 1849 at “Eventide at Mrs. Kearney’s tavern”!
Tavern photos by Francesca Costa.

March 2022

March saw the arrival of a new interpretive panel about the Skunk Hollow settlement that once thrived where State Line Lookout is today, further preparations for the metered parking system that will go in effect in the park later in April, and a history hike to “Cliffhanger Point.”
Photos by Anthony Taranto, Eric Nelsen, and Francesca Costa.

February 2022

Winter weather produced some striking images in the Palisades. Photos by Anthony Taranto.