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Hook Mountain State Park, 676-acres in size, is part of the Palisades Interstate Park system. The park can be accessed just north of Nyack. The Palisades ridge, which had moved inland to form a shallow bowl, returns to the river's edge. The familiar columnar formations reappear as Hook Mountain, jutting its massive curved and quarried face into the river and demarcating the Tappan Zee from Haverstraw Bay. The name is derived from the Dutch Verdrietige Hoogte (tedious or troublesome point), named for the contrary winds that sailors encountered while trying to round it.
Saving Hook Mountain and the Tappan Zee Riverfront
"In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, quarrying, which started on the Jersey Palisades, spread upriver, threatening to deface Hook Mountain on the Tappan Zee and the entire riverfront . . . In 1872, the erection of a stone crusher at Hook Mountain signaled the beginning of large-scale operations. By 1900, this and 31 smaller quarries between Piermont and Nyack were operating. Sentiment was growing to stop this defacement . . . Continued.
"George W. Perkins, president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, played an instrumental role in influencing the philanthropists of his time as to the importance of preserving the Palisades. He believed the forested Highlands of the Hudson, famous for their scenery and as Revolutionary strongholds, would become a recreational resource for the people of the metropolitan district. The acquisition of Hook Mountain by the Commission was made possible by generous contributions by members of the Harriman, Perkins, and Rockefeller families, who have been adding to park holdings even up to the present time.
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for source of information and the entire text from New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
Visit
Perkins Point, built in tribute to George Perkins. You will experience spectacular views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, West Point, Storm King, and Fort Montgomery. Four states are visible (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania), including the New York City skyline.
Hook Mountain State Park, 676-acres in size, is part of the Palisades Interstate Park system. The park can be accessed just north of Nyack. Visit Hook Mountain and enjoy scenic views while hiking, walking, biking, and fishing on the shores of the Hudson River. The bike path follows the river's edge from Haverstraw Beach State Park to Nyack Beach State Park in Upper Nyack. For more biking trails, visit
Rockland biking trails in the lower-Hudson Valley. Hook Mountain is best known as a hawk watch site.
Attractions and Activities at Hook Mountain Park
Biking
Bird Watching
Fishing
Hiking
Picnic tables along the Hudson River
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Scenic Views
Wheelchair Accessible*
Accessible indicates that, to the extent practicable, this facility or activity meets the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. It is strongly recommended that you contact the facility in advance for a full description of facilities.
Location: Nyack
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