ROCKLAND LAKE STATE PARK BIKE PATH:
CONGERS, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 20, 2012
Length: Rockland Lake SP Bike Path; 3 miles
Rockland Lake SP Bike Path to Congers Lake Trailway (on-road); 3/4 miles
Difficulty: Rockland Lake SP Bike Path; Easy. Flat paved path.
Directions:
To Start from Congers Lake Memorial Park; From I-87/287 take exit 12 to Route 303 north. As soon as you pass by the Congers town line you'll come to a blinking light. Turn left down Gilchrest Rd, then right into the Congers Lake Memorial Park (No Fee). To start from Rockland Lake SP; Continue north on Route 303 to the next traffic light. Turn right on Lake Rd and follow to Route 9W. Cross over and enter the park heading right to parking field 6 (Parking Fee).
Rockland Lake State Park's lake is located on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west bank of the Hudson River. The park offers picnic tables, grills, hiking trails and the paved Rockland Lake SP Bike Path around the lake. The Congers Lake Trailway is close by for another biking opportunity. To avoid the parking fee at Rockland Lake SP or if you wish to bike both trails, I would suggest parking at Congers Lake Memorial Park and utilizing the paved Congers Lake Trailway to access a short on-road section to Rockland Lake SP. You can also access Nyack Beach Trail from the east side of the park via a 0.5 mile downhill road.
Starting from Rockland Lake SP parking field 6; A restroom is located here. Travel south along the wide paved trail alongside Rockland Lake on your left. Follow the tree lined trail as it passes picnic areas, open fields and parking field 5. After a mile you'll pass by parking field 4 and the South Recreation Area, located at the southern end of the lake. A pool and bathhouse are located here. The trail leaves the crowds behind at 1.5 miles as it skirts the east shore with Hook Mt along your right. Come to an intersection. Right leads to parking field 2 and a playground.
Note; If you wish to connect to the Nyack Beach Trail head right alongside the parking lot. Exit right out of the parking lot to Rockland Lake Rd and travel on-road to an intersection. Turn left on Landing Rd which will bring you to a stone house with slate roof (private residence). Follow the trail down to an intersection at 0.8 miles. See; Nyack Beach Trail .
Continue left alongside the lake passing more fields and picnic areas. The trail leaves the shoreline at 2.4 miles heading north past the North Recreation Area. Another pool and bathhouse located here. This brings you to parking field 1. Follow the double wide trail left to an intersection.
Note; To access the Congers Lake Trailway turn right along the old trail and follow along the edge of the parking lot out past a gate to the park road. Head right on-road (one-way), then an immediate left out across a bridge to the entrance road. Turn right out to Route 9W. Caution; No Cross-light, so cross with the green light over to Lake St. Follow Lake St on-road (low volume Traffic) out to Route 303. Cross and continue along Lake St to the Congers Lake Trailway after 3/4 miles. You'll find a map board here.
Continue left along the narrow paved trail which takes you past the Nature Center at 2 3/4 miles. You then head back along the west shore returning to parking lot 6 for a 3 mile loop.
HH
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT