Palisades Interstate Park
Palisades Interstate Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
58 reviews
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1
Carl H
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States88 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We explored the park via bicycles, crossing the GW Bridge from Manhattan and riding to a norther river crossing on the Mario Cuomo Bridge. The park was very quiet on a Friday morning. There was a roadway closing due to significant storm damage. We managed to accomplish our ride as planned, enjoying lunch and views at Lookout Point.
Written October 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,409 contributions
Sep 2022
I went to Palisades Interstate Park in September, 2019. It has excellent views and is perfect to stop at on a road trip. It is a quick 20 minute drive from Manhattan and shows the Hudson rivers unseen beauty.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ken j
Manalapan, NJ928 contributions
May 2021
We came here on the way back to NJ from NYC. It is a little known area right across from the city, and beautiful. Birds soar over the river, with incredible views and nice trails. We will come again.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolina Félix-Colón
Rochelle Park, NJ675 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Great challenging hike, a bit muddy but it was a great hike. Nice water fall before you start hiking the big rocks. Wear proper shoes since is king of slippery once you have mud in the bottom of your shoes.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robcurtross
New York City, NY13,521 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Two main trails traverse the length of the Jersey Palisades: the Long Path, which runs along the top of the cliffs, and the Shore Trail, which runs along their base.
In addition, five trails link the two paths making loop hikes possible for those willing to ascend/descend 250- to 400-feet.
The highest cliff is at Point Lookout at 532 feet above the Hudson River. Trail maps are available on the Park's web site.
Long Path [13 miles in NJ; aqua blaze]: Extending north from the George Washington Bridge, the Long Path follows the level cliff-top of the Palisades. For most of the way to the State Line Lookout it runs along a narrow strip of the land between the four-lane Parkway and the cliff edge.
As a result the sounds of traffic can be heard along the trail. North of State Line Lookout the Parkway curves further inland so hikers along this section can escape the din. On the other hand, fantastic views from the cliff tops and the ruins of old mansions along the way make for a remarkable hike.
The Long Path starts in New York City at the 175 Street subway station in Washington Heights [Manhattan]. In New Jersey it begins at Fort Lee Historic Park within Palisades Interstate Park. Ultimately it extends into New York State through the Catskill Forest Preserve and then well north and west of Albany.
Shore Trail [12.2 miles; white blaze]: The Shore Trail runs along the Hudson River from Fort Lee Historic Park to 0.7 mile beyond the New Jersey-New York state line. For most of its route it follows a nearly-level path that closely hugs the shoreline.
But north of Forest View, about 10.5 miles from the start, its character becomes rugged as it weaves up and down the accumulation of broken rock [some quite large; this section is called Giant Stairs] at the base of the cliffs, and then climbs rather steeply near its end to just over the state line.
The five cross-country ski trails [marked A through E] at State Line Lookout are open to hikers.
Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive [parts of drive may close in winter-check with park] from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road. Bicycles are not permitted on any hiking trails, walking paths, or cross-country ski trails.
Written August 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bputh
NYC14 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Great way to spend a Saturday morning, stunning views, the best time to go is after heavy rainfalls or in the spring when the snow just melts, the waterfall is more likely to be flowing.
Written October 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerAtTimes
Stamford, CT65 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
Palisades Interstate Parkway is used by thousands of motorists as the conduit from the Suburbs to the city.
Most people will never venture out of the parkway until they hit the GWB or one of the upper exits after Orangeburg. What a shame!
Some of the nicest overlooks and river views are literally a few feet away.
The thee lookouts that are easily accessible by car are (from the south) the first one right after exit 1. The second one is approx 3 miles later before exit 2. These are right off the roadway to the right. The third one, mostly hidden to motorists is the State Line Lookout which features facilities, vending machines and picnicking tables as well as trail-heads to the Longpath hand other trails. There is an indoor refreshment stand and gift shop. It at the highest point on the Palisades Cliffs (elevation 527 ft. according to the NJ State parks), about half a mile south of the New Jersey-New York state line.
The area is open every day during daylight hours.
And...there is no fee for parking.
The parking lot is large and well kept.
Most people will never venture out of the parkway until they hit the GWB or one of the upper exits after Orangeburg. What a shame!
Some of the nicest overlooks and river views are literally a few feet away.
The thee lookouts that are easily accessible by car are (from the south) the first one right after exit 1. The second one is approx 3 miles later before exit 2. These are right off the roadway to the right. The third one, mostly hidden to motorists is the State Line Lookout which features facilities, vending machines and picnicking tables as well as trail-heads to the Longpath hand other trails. There is an indoor refreshment stand and gift shop. It at the highest point on the Palisades Cliffs (elevation 527 ft. according to the NJ State parks), about half a mile south of the New Jersey-New York state line.
The area is open every day during daylight hours.
And...there is no fee for parking.
The parking lot is large and well kept.
Written June 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy Z
Dumont, NJ310 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
I am a little hesitant to write a review of this park, I'm afraid it will become too crowded! The Palisades are a favorite spot of mine. The views of the cliffs and river are fantastic and many people living in the area have no idea the park exists!
If you enter the park from route 9W and stop in the park office, which is the same building as the interstate park police, you can pick up some maps and information.
Continue down the road and bear left around the traffic circle to the parking lot. There is a parking fee in the summer, but not other times of year. There is a historic house on the river front that is open to tour on weekends and has programs in season. There are picnic tables and restrooms past the Kearney house. This area has trails along the river and trails that climb the palisades. Check the park web site if you're interested in the guided hikes on the weekends. I like just sitting in my chair with a good book and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Drive a little farther up the Palisades Interstate Parkway to The Lookout exit. This is also a rest area for the highway and there's no parking fee. The park here has a pavilion with a grill, gift shop and restrooms. The draw here is the spectacular view of the river from on top of the Palisades. I like hearing the exclamations from visitors who are seeing it for the first time! This is also a great spot to see the migration of raptors during the early fall.
If you want to hike here, there are maps inside the building and on boards outside the door. A favorite hike is to the Women's Federation Monument. This is dedicated to the Women's Club that helped preserve the Palisades from development.
If you enter the park from route 9W and stop in the park office, which is the same building as the interstate park police, you can pick up some maps and information.
Continue down the road and bear left around the traffic circle to the parking lot. There is a parking fee in the summer, but not other times of year. There is a historic house on the river front that is open to tour on weekends and has programs in season. There are picnic tables and restrooms past the Kearney house. This area has trails along the river and trails that climb the palisades. Check the park web site if you're interested in the guided hikes on the weekends. I like just sitting in my chair with a good book and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Drive a little farther up the Palisades Interstate Parkway to The Lookout exit. This is also a rest area for the highway and there's no parking fee. The park here has a pavilion with a grill, gift shop and restrooms. The draw here is the spectacular view of the river from on top of the Palisades. I like hearing the exclamations from visitors who are seeing it for the first time! This is also a great spot to see the migration of raptors during the early fall.
If you want to hike here, there are maps inside the building and on boards outside the door. A favorite hike is to the Women's Federation Monument. This is dedicated to the Women's Club that helped preserve the Palisades from development.
Written October 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey17,016 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
It is a breathtaking park on the western bank of the Hudson River known for its many attractions. Motorists can admire the views of Hudson River from the lookout areas. The wild Hudson River shorefront offers opportunity for some good photography. We walked many miles out of the 30 miles of hiking trails the park offers. The Long Path and Shore Trail are National Recreation Trails. Other trails are color coded. The long trail is along the highway so a bit less attractive due to noise but pretty. We enjoyed also the scenic riverside drive. There are many picnic ares. We used the one by the marina. There is a large parking lot there too. The Palisades Interstate Park is a National Historic Landmark and the Palisades are a National Natural Landmark.
Written October 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WRoura
Alpine, NJ10 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Going North from the George Washington Bridge, just past exit one is the Rockefeller in Englewood with views of upper Manhattan (Inwood, Fort Tryon, etc.) and the Bronx and South to the Bridge and the West Side of Manhattan to 57th Street and below. Great for picture taking all day, including night with lights on the Bridge and a good portion of Manhattan. Further up, near exit two is the Alpine Lookout that rises over 400 feet above the Hudson. While the views are just fine, the area across from the lookout is in line with upper Manhattan, some of the Bronx and Yonkers, not the most picturesque part of the City and above. The river is very wide at this point accommodating the Alpine Boat Basin. Many hikes initiate here but be aware - the hikes are not for the meek or weak. They can be challenging. Up further north past exit 3 is the State Line Lookout with an elevation over 500 feet. The views of the river and the other side of New York are spectacular, even if it does not have the imposing sights of towers of Manhattan. These 3 sections of the Parkway give the viewer and the driver the true sense of riding on the palisades.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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