Palisades Interstate Park — Attraction in Alpine

Palisades is a unique hiking experience with dramatic cliffs/bluffs next to a giant water source and provides decent photo ops as a result, but it's not one of my favorites. My chum and I came here this past Saturday on a very sunny day with decent temps in the mid-50s. There was a stiff wind in the early morning which concerned me a bit knowing how blustery these cliffs can be, but the weather was close to perfect during our adventure. We did a 5.75-mile hike beginning at the Administration Building right off Exit 2 of the Palisades, taking the Long Path Trail almost immediately down to the Hudson River by the Kearney House, then turning north on the Shore Trail all the way up to the Forest View Trail, at which point we turned left, climbing up to the Women's Federation Monument (very cool little castle there tailormade for a few snapshots), and then south along the Long Path Trail again back to the cars.

Big negative in my view - significant sections of this park are right by the Palisades Parkway, which is probably the most visually pleasing highway in the state (not that that's a particularly high bar to clear) but still not something you want to hear and see throughout a stroll in the woods. Our final mile or so on the Long Path Trail was accompanied by constant traffic noises, which took away from the other sights and sounds.

Another downside was there were no bathroom options unless you count some thicker bushes off the trails (even then, I think it would be pretty risky given that it's a pretty heavily trafficked area and it's too early in the season for additional foliage cover). You'd think the Administration Building would at least have a port-a-potty on the premises, but instead there's just a yowly sign by the entrance stating that there are no restrooms accessible to the public. There may very well be better accommodations further up by the state line, but this is an obvious area they could improve upon.

This isn't necessarily a negative per se, but if you want to actually go down by the river edge trails, you're by definition going to have a steep ascent back up to the parking lot, so the difficulty level is erratic - you can walk a mile or two on completely flat terrain, only to have to climb 600 feet in .3 miles. It's either strenuous or not at all. I will say that after we finished the ascent on the Forest View Trail, I did not feel guilty about bypassing the elliptical earlier in the morning.

I found the pooch situation to be a little on the weak side; we saw probably seven or eight canines in total on our journey. The notable highlight was a brindle Bull Terrier named Max, who was a little grumpy but complied with a photo request (see attached). I'd guess that the majority of dogs would be up top, just because the climb from the water can be pretty arduous and rocky. The wildlife sightings were also sparse, though I think that can at least partially be attributed to the early spring season - my chum has an excellent ear/eye for birds and insisted that there was a bald eagle in the middle of the Hudson diving for its lunch, but I was skeptical. Regardless, this is a very good spot for birdwatching if that's your jam.

The trails are in pretty good condition if not a little rocky in places, but the markers are a bit hit or miss; I'd say two or three times we had to stop to backtrack a little to make sure we were going the right way, particularly up on the Long Path Trail which has a lot of different unmarked offshoots; the Shore Trail isn't necessarily better marked but it's such a straightforward path next to the river that you don't have any other possible place to walk anyway, unless you feel like doing some sort of death-defying scamper up the cliffs.

I'll come here from time to time just for the change of pace, and the scenery is definitely a selling point. But it's a little too close to civilization and not enough of an authentic woodsy vibe...

Being an outdoorsman trapped in NYC I love Palisades Park. However, unlike probably 99.9% of visitors I only get there by human powered watercraft, either a paddleboard or sea kayak. I generally depart from my home port of Manhattan Kayak + SUP (MKC) located on Pier 84 across the embayment from the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum (USS Intrepid) in Hells Kitchen. This is, at a minimum, a 14 mile round trip. I generally prefer to go farther and most recently (see accompanying photos) paddled to Greenbrook Falls within Greenbrook Sanctuary over the Palisades from Tenafly, NJ. Paddling there from MKC and back is a 25 mile roundtrip. To get there from within the park on foot or by bicycle you will have to follow one of the roads to a trail that gets you to the Shoreline Trail. The only complaint I have about Palisades Interstate Park is the lack of camping facilities, especially for through paddlers on their way somewhere else. This is not an issue for those with cars or even bicycles as they can get back to the main road and either go home or find lodging. The through paddler, on the other hand can be stuck unless they have made other arrangements. For example I tried last year, in vain to get in touch with park HQ to get special permission. No one ever got back to me. So instead I planned my trip and eventually showed up at Alpine. A friendly day camp counselor gave me the direct line to the assistant park administrator who squirmed but ultimately refused my request. Luckily I'd made arrangements with the lovely folks across the river at the...

🥾 Hiking in Palisades Interstate Park — Long Path North to Peanut Leap & Giant Stairs Attempt (June 2025). We hiked yesterday in Palisades Interstate Park, starting on Long Path North and reaching the Peanut Leap Cascade. The trail was beautiful — peaceful forest, clean air, birds singing. A perfect break from city life. ⚠️ The descent and climb to the waterfall was steep and challenging, with rocks and tree roots. Proper hiking shoes and caution are a must. At the waterfall, we took a relaxing break, enjoyed the sound of the water, had snacks, and took some nice photos 📸. Then our friends suggested continuing on to the Giant Stairs section. The trail quickly became very difficult — big boulders, steep climbing, even needing hands to balance. Since we had a 12 y.o.daughter and a friend’s husky, we decided it was safer to turn back. 💵 Parking is paid (up to $20/day) — online. 🌿 A stunning hike overall, but definitely not beginner-friendly beyond the waterfall. If you're hiking with children or pets, plan your route carefully. 🦅 At the end of our hike, we stopped at the overlook where birdwatchers gathered to watch eagles soaring and flying out of the cliffs — a truly amazing sight to...