Palisades Interstate Park -- NY Cluster
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Park Overview:
A cluster of state, county, and town parks are arranged like giant stepping stones along New York's section of the Palisades in Rockland County.
Park Description:
The Palisades cliffs is a unique geological formation that begins at the Rahway River in New Jersey, crosses the western edge of Staten Island, continues north along the Hudson River passing by the George Washington Bridge -- where the Palisades Interstate Park, NJ Section begins -- finally passing into Rockland County, New York, turning inland at Haverstraw Bay, and then ending abruptly at Mount Ivy.
The beginnings of the Palisades Interstate Park system dates from the time when the residents of New York City were slowly aroused to the devastations of the quarrymen blasting along the cliffs for traprock. The real menace to the Palisades came with the demand for more concrete to build skyscrapers and roads and quarries were opened from Weehawken to Hook Mountain. To check this activity, New York and New Jersey jointly created the Palisades Interstate Park Commission [PIPC] in 1900. Notable gifts of land have been contributed since that time and subsequently the PIPC was also charged with preserving the natural beauty of the lands lying in New York State on the west side of the Hudson, including the Ramapo Mountains as well as state park lands in Rockland and Orange counties, and those in Sullivan and Ulster counties outside the Catskill Forest Preserve. The Palisades Parks Conservancy is a non-profit organzation supporting the activities, parks and historic sites of the PIPC.
The Palisades Interstate Park - NJ Section serves the portion of the Palisades cliffs in Bergen County, New Jersey. There is no comparable Palisades Interstate Park as such for New York, rather the PIPC administers a system of separate state parks. Those along the NY Palisades are identified below. The list also includes county and town parks which, organizationally, are not part of the Palisades Interstate Park system. The parks are listed in geographic order running from south to north along the Palisades in Rockland County, NY.
- Tallman Mountain State Park
- Clausland Mountain County Park
- Blauvelt State Park
- Sean Hunter Ryan Memorial County Park
- Buttermilk Falls County Park
- Mountain View Nature County Park
- Rockland Lake State Park
- Nyack Beach State Park
- Hook Mountain State Park
- High Tor State Park
Trails Overview:
In New York State, the Palisades cliffs comprise an almost continuous greenway that extends along the eastern edge of Rockland County, from Tallman Mountain State Park in the south to Mount Ivy in the north.
Much of the Palisades lies within several units of the Palisades Interstate Park system, and the Long Path follows the Palisades ridge. When combined with numerous intersecting or nearby trails and byways, the Long Path offers many opportunities for circular routes encompassing not only woods and meadows but also local history and interesting architecture.
Each of the parks include in the cluster provides a trails overview, directions and contact information. To find specific hikes in parks along the Palisades click here, sort on the "Regions" column and scroll down to "Rockland County" (the numerous hikes listed in the "Palisades" Region refer to the New Jersey Section).
Park Acreage:
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Not availableA cluster of state, county, and town parks are arranged like giant stepping stones along New York's section of the Palisades in Rockland County.
The Palisades cliffs is a unique geological formation that begins at the Rahway River in New Jersey, crosses the western edge of Staten Island, continues north along the Hudson River passing by the George Washington Bridge -- where the Palisades Interstate Park, NJ Section begins -- finally passing into Rockland County, New York, turning inland at Haverstraw Bay, and then ending abruptly at...
Park Acreage:
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Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
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