Mount Beacon

Mount Beacon towers above Beacon and Fishkill at the northern gateway to the Hudson Highlands.

Spectacular view from Mount Beacon's summit Robert Rodriguez, Jr.

Beacon, Dutchess County -- Mount Beacon is the most visible summit for miles around, providing the defining backdrop for the local communities. Its prominence made the mountain an important factor in the Revolutionary War, when George Washington's troops set signal fires to communicate vital information about British troop movements.

Remnants of the incline railway near the summitThe incline railway, the steepest of its kind in the world at the time, carried visitors to the heights of the mountain for dining, dancing and enjoying spectacular views, from 1902 until the late 1970s.

Mount Beacon Park was created on land preserved by Scenic Hudson in the City of Beacon and Town of Fishkill. Totaling 234 acres, the parcels were purchased in 1995 and 1998, respectively. The latter parcel, proposed for a residential subdivision before Scenic Hudson acquired it, contains the remnants of the lower portion of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway.

Features

During the incline railway's heyday the center of attraction was a restaurant and dance hall at the summit, which drew tourists from New York City and beyond. Mount Beacon's status led to its use as a setting for silent movies in the 1920s. Today, Mount Beacon and Fishkill Ridge are used for hiking, nature appreciation, and sightseeing. View our Mount Beacon Trail Map (jpg/568kb).

Directions and Map

Parking area and trailhead are located at the intersection of Route 9D and Howland Avenue in the City of Beacon.

Operating Hours

Dawn to Dusk