North Rockland: an experience outdoors
information, visitrocklandgov.com/ departments/environmental-resources.
A short distance north is the Haverstraw Marina, located at 600 Beach Road. If you don’t have a boat you want to dock, come for the views, the Tikki Bar and award-winning waterfront dining at the Hudson Water Club. For Canoe and Kayak enthusiasts, just down the road heading north and across the street is the Town of Haverstraw Canoe and Kayak Launch located on the Minsiceongo Creek by Stony Point Bay.
If woodlands or mountains suit your outdoor tastes better, the entire western portion of the Town of Haverstraw includes portions of Harriman State Park, part of the Palisades Interstate Park system. Camping, lake swimming, fall foliage trips and wintertime snowmobiling may be enjoyed along with picnics and hiking. Along the Town’s southern border is South Mountain which includes portions of the Long Path, part of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. South Mountain has two peaks, Low Tor and High Tor, made famous in 1936 by Rockland County resident Maxwell Anderson’s acclaimed Broadway play of the same name. Hikers will be rewarded with scenic views of the Village of Haverstraw below, and breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River, the Hudson Valley and the New York skyline.
The Town of Stony Point is rich with outdoor historical and natural points of interest. The hidden gem of the Town is the Stony Point Battlefield and Lighthouse. This historical landmark is the location of the famous battle of Stony Point in 1779. During the conflict, General Anthony Wayne and an army of over 1300 soldiers conducted a surprise attack on a British Garrison in the middle of the night between July 15th and 16th of that year. American troops won the conflict, and held the Garrison for several days – until British reinforcements arrived nearly one week later to reclaim the strategic location, approximately 15 miles from West Point, NY.
Visit this location to watch reenactments of the famous battle, the firing of a Revolutionary War cannon, a replication of a British encampment, and a museum full of genuine uniforms, weapons and other memorabilia from the 1779 battle. The Stony Point Lighthouse, built in 1826, is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. Tours of the lighthouse are available on a regular basis on weekends beginning mid-April.
At Stony Point’s northern end lies Bear Mountain State Park, a 5,000 acre park, full of outdoor activities suitable for the entire family. It features an outdoor ice skating rink in winter, a lake with available rowboats, hundreds of hiking trails, fantastic views from Perkins Memorial at the top of Bear Mountain, which is reachable by car, or by foot for those looking to hike. Children of all ages can enjoy the merrygo-round pavilion featuring hand-painted scenes of the park and carved renditions of animals, a zoo, a pool and picnicking. The newly renovated Bear Mountain Inn is available for overnight stays and dining. Walk across the Bear Mountain Bridge for a spectacular view of the Hudson and Valley. For more information about these family friendly attractions and activities, visitparks.ny.gov
The southern end of Bear Mountain is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Doodletown, which had been an isolated hamlet in Stony Point, was purchased by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission during the 1960’s and became a part of Bear Mountain. The former settlement is now a ghost town and a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, botanists and local historians. It is located northwest of Iona Island, another popular destination for bird watchers and nature-lovers. Located off Route 9W in Stony Point in the Hudson River, this 500 acre island is home to a bird sanctuary that serves as a nesting area for Bald Eagles. The nesting areas can be easily viewed with the aid of binoculars.
Stony Point also boasts several marinas just north of the Haverstraw Marina, beyond the area known as Grassy Point, featuring a riverfront playground, picnic area and restaurant.
We invite you to visit North Rockland and enjoy all that we have to offer.
— Robin Rosenberg