Trailside Museums & Zoo

This is great educational experience.
First you are walking on the Appalachian trail which is cool just by itself.
Then you have the breathtaking views of the river and the Hudson Highlands.
The animals are mostly rescues that likely would have been out down of they werent able to live at Trailside so I thank them for the work they do.
I like that the animals that you can see are native to the area which makes it a more local experience. The museum buildings are very cool and very educational.
The west redoubt of fort Clinton is amazing to see. At that moment you are standing on a piece of history where men taught and died for this country to be free from the tyranny of England.
The plantings are beautiful and the zoo is constantly being updated.
There is only a suggested entry fee which is also amazing.
This place is a hidden gem and is worth the visit.

It’s cute and small! Don’t expect the real experience zoo but you will meet the cute amazing animals!

What a beautiful, well-kept, educational experience! This zoo is tucked away in Bear Mountain in the middle of the woods. All animals are rescued and tell you a story about how they came to Trailside. 10/10 would recommend! Donations to enter with $1 recommend per person.

We visited the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain on a weekday and had a wonderful experience. There weren’t many people around, making it a peaceful visit. There’s no set entrance fee, just a donation box at the entrance suggesting $1 per person. The animals are well cared for, and it was amazing to see them up close. Although it was a bit rainy during our visit, we still had a great time and plan to return in the summer. Parking costs $10, and from the lot, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the museum.

The Trailside Museums and Zoo is a nice small zoo located in Bear Mountain State Park. The zoo is well laid out and well shaded. It is easy to walk around the zoo and view the animals. The most notable animals on display at the zoo are bears, coyotes, owls, beavers, fish, and small reptiles. The museums in the zoo are charming, but also a little dated. They have one on geologic history and local history of the area. The zoo also has some very nice viewing points of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge. The remains of historic Fort Clinton can also be found in the zoo. Near the front of the zoo is a statue of Walt Whitman which was displayed at the World’s Fair in 1939. The Appalachian Trail actually goes right through the zoo as well, so you might see hikers going through.
The zoo relies on donations to keep operating and they only ask for a small amount when visiting. From the zoo you can also walk or hike to Bear Mountain State Park and Fort Montgomery. Some animal displays are currently empty at the zoo and it looks like the zoo is working on filling these. If you’re Bear Mountain State Park add this to your list of places to see in the park.