Mount Beacon Park

Mountaintop views worth all the huffing and puffing.

BEACON, Dutchess County (15 acres) — Yes, the trail up Mount Beacon is steep, but switchbacks keep the workout manageable. The hike actually begins on a staircase following the course of the Beacon Incline Railway, once the world’s steepest funicular. Observation platforms atop the stairs preview the treat rewarding all who reach the summit: a panoramic vista stretching from the Hudson Highlands to the Catskill Mountains. A mile away, climb 60 feet up the South Mount Beacon fire tower for a view that’s even more spectacular — on a clear day, you can see from Manhattan to Albany.

Free and open year-round, dawn to dusk.

Note: There are two free electric vehicle charging stations here for park users.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 SAFETY UPDATES

The safety of park visitors in light of ongoing COVID cases continues to be one of our top priorities. All group visits need to be pre-approved (please fill out this form and email Anthony Coneski to coordinate a group visit).

Although neither the CDC or New York State require masks in outdoor settings, we ask that unvaccinated visitors or large groups consider wearing masks as COVID cases continue to rise in the area.

Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and others so we can continue to make these precious resources available for all.

Activities

Bike rack

Single Park Map
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More to explore

Check out the shops and eateries along Beacon’s vibrant Main Street and Dia:Beacon, a world-class museum featuring late-20th-century art housed in a former factory. Learn more about the remarkable life of Catheryna “Madam” Brett, Beacon’s first European settler, by visiting her 1709 house.