Trailside Museums and Zoo

We had a very enjoyable morning strolling by the lake and walking to the Trailside Museums & Zoo.
We parked at The Inn, where there was no attendant on the weekday we were there.
Bathroom facility, gift shop, and hiker’s café at The Inn.
Shaded walk for the most part.
Pool on the way to the zoo is open on weekends in the summer.
Zoo entry was by requested donation only. No attendant present here either.
We saw 2 bars, coyotes, turtles, owls, Hawks, a bald eagle…
On our way out we saw an intern feeding mice to the 2 red fox.
Do not forget your camera!

This is really a gem and the kids had a very good experience. It is comparable to any reputable museum and zoo in NYC. The natural surroundings of the wood paths to the zoo is an adventure by itself. The zoo itself comprises of animal that are nursed back to health but are unable to feed for themselves if release back to the wild, thus they are taken care of there. Most of the animals here can be identified by the children as they have study it in schooI, therefore an educational trip as well.
I believe they are feed with their natural foods as I notice vultures and owls fed with dead white mice… When we were there, we witness vultures tearing on its food, a dead mice, an eye opening for the kids on how nature works. There is also a group of vultures perching up on the trees surrounding the cages.
Right before you reached the zoo, there is a swimming pool there… I wondered whether it is still in use. It would be nice in the summer with all the trees surrounding it…
Once you step into the zoo, you are practically in a forest with so much to see. There are introductions to different species of tress, a building for the insect/​reptile/​bugs, different types of owls, eagles, foxes, wolfs, bear, beaver, swan and a possum. The star of the zoo are the two black bears but my favourite is the beaver and the woodchuck. Most of the time, you would notice beaver dam when you go rafting along rivers but its not everyday you can see a beaver up close and it is indeed a big animal.
The museum introduces the history of the area itself starting from the Ice Age, Natives Americans to the heyday of mining and also a story on a founder of the Boys Scout. There is also a layout of a fort, Fort Montgomery built during the Revolutionary War. After all walking, we were greeted with the picturesque view of Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River below. Awesome! There is also a trail leading down but its already closes when we were there.
The zoo and museum is really worth visiting even if its a trip by itself. Come early as there are many to see if you are into natural history as the zoo closes at 4.30pm. I think that’s when the animals is feed as the bear already retired into their «home». And to think admission is only a suggested donation of 1 dollar…

This is a very unique zoo because it’s built along a path in the woods, and the only animals it holds are the same kinds that live in the wild of the area around it.
When I was here, I stopped to look at the deer in captivity, and then a wild deer walked right by me… I also remember watching the staff feed dead mice to the vultures, and the smell of the mice attracted wild vultures to fly to right outside the vulture’s cage and try to get inside (unsuccessfully)… Still, the American Black Bears were the highlight of the zoo for me.
I’ve never seen another zoo like this. I’d gladly pay $ 15 for admission, but they only charge $ 1. I can’t recommend visiting this place enough.

Great easy trail near the Bear Mountain Lodge. The trail has a zoo with many of the local wildlife around the area. The trail is easy stroller friendly and well covered with shade from the trees along the trail. The Black Bears are the highlight and the loop should take you about an hour.

Wow, what an amazing place.
1) The entrée is by donation. Recommended donation of 1 dollar. Not kidding!
2) The museum has several buildings which are small and nice.
3) The zoo is fantastic. They have bears, fox, owls, etc. Enough to keep anyone occupied.
Wonderful.

We’re going to the zoo! We’re going to the zoo! We’re going to the zoo! I love the concept of this zoo; all animals are indigenous to NYS and are at the zoo because they have been injured and nursed back to health (but can’t return to the wild) or are old and «retired». It really takes the guilt out of the usual zoo experience for me. The exhibits are very accessible and it’s easy to get a good look at the animals. My favorites were the coyotes (so pretty and graceful), the red foxes, the bald eagle, two baby dear, and the two owls. I was devastated to miss the Otter and the Beaver, whom according to the sign were hibernating for winter. The two black bears (which looked suspiciously like brown bears) were pretty cool to see also, but they were snoozing in the back area of their habitat and it was kind of hard to get a good look at them.
Oddly enough I also enjoyed the reptile house; there were some cool aquatic species and frogs, along with several dirty filthy snakes. Some of the snakes were really big. I’m not a fan of snakes, but I thought it was a good opportunity to get a look at indigenous snakes I may (but God I hope not) encounter someday while hiking in upstate NY. Loved the «Do Not Tap on the Glass» sign on the in front of one of the snakes, which was followed by another sign «What Would You Do If The Glass Broke?»… it’s nice to see someone at the zoo has a sense of humor!
I visited the zoo in the winter and am definitely planning to come back in the summer to see the animals that were hibernating, as well as some of the flora and fauna that was covered in snow this visit. Also, the coyotes are getting a much needed larger habitat, so I’m looking forward to seeing them a bit happier and not pacing as much.
*** Admission is suggested dontation, but parking is $ 8.00. The signs for the zoo are a bit lacking; park in the main parking lot by the Inn (chech out the map) and then walk by the Lake until you see the sign for the underpass which will take you to the Pool and the Zoo.***
**** The zoo is located on part of the Appalachian Trail. Check out Bear Mt trail maps for details, but you can stop by the zoo in the middle of a hike! ****

This was our first time here. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it is a nice little zoo. Our 18 month old had a lot of fun. I really liked the foxes and coyotes but their cages were REALLY stinky. I couldn’t Stan there for too long to admire then bc the smell was overwhelming.
We also loved the birds … Especially the bald eagle.
After we toured the zoo (approximately for 2 hours) we left and followed the trail down to the boat dock… This rout of shape, beware! It’s all down hill… Nice going down… (Totally sucks coming back up if you’re out of shape like me!) But I really enjoyed the hike. Beautiful views of the Hudson, bridge, and Anthony’s nose.
We will def be back in the fall. I bet the view is spectacular then …

This is one of my favorite zoos, though it is small and only has animals indigenous to the area – but thats the whole point! It’s great for a daytime activity with the family and even little kids. Not a whole lot of walking to do and now they have access for handicap and strollers, a big plus. The zoo is now by donation only and I genuinely hope everyone spares at least a dollar per person. The donations help keep up costs w the zoo and keep the animals around for all of us to enjoy.
Parking is the only other price you have to pay for the day. The grounds also have a lake, great fields, the Inn and some small take-​out type dining [tho i’ve heard the quality is lacking] so pack a picnic and spend the day!
Sooo much to learn at the zoo with animals, info about plants native to the area, overlook spots to take pictures and view the Hudson and much more.