Allison Park — Attraction in Englewood Cliffs

Rather funny that I first spied this park, not from the Long Path but from 300 feet below on my paddle board. The little stone cabin in the southeast corner is visible from the river, the only part visible from there really and I wondered then (a few years ago) 'who owns that place'. Allison has an interesting history, starting (for me anyway) with his co-ownership of the Palisades Mountain House, a grand 500-guest hotel that was opened in 1872 but burned to the ground in 1884 (no loss of life), the site of which was just a half mile or so north (see my review of St. Michael's Villa for more on that). I visited here for the first time a couple weekends ago while hiking the Long Path from Fort Lee/GW. A pretty place, though the bathrooms are closed for the season, which does nothing for hikers (though I guess it does not matter for those with a car who seem to be the...

Decided on a small hike from Allison park using the long path north to dyckman hill trail to Englewood picnic area. Then took shore trail to Ross dock picnic area. Had a lovely little lunch. Then took carpenter trail back up, and then back to long path back to Allison park. Total 2 hours. Got to see waterfalls on the way and amazing views of the Hudson. Although there were literally hundreds of dead fish rotting in the water along the shore trail, besides that it was beautiful. Watch out for poison oak and ivy on the trail;it seems not too well maintained. And there are a lot of bees you will cross, but just be cool! Also, at one point we saw a pontoon with a patio umbrella on the water....

There were plenty of free parking available at Allison Park when we visited on a Thursday.

We hiked south and turned around after reaching the George Washington Bridge, a round trip of about 3 miles. We only encountered a handful of people since it was a weekday. The trail was wooded, flat and easy. However, it was right by the Henry Hudson Drive with loud traffic noise the whole way. The view of the Bridge was nice. But we were looking for some peace and quiet.

We abandoned our plan to hike north after getting back to...