Trailside Museums and Zoo is a unique wildlife and natural history attraction situated within Bear Mountain State Park on the western bank of the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York, near the iconic Bear Mountain Bridge. Founded in 1927, it is recognized as the nation's first self-guided nature trail, guiding visitors along a paved section of the Appalachian Trail past four historic stone museums covering geology, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and natural history. All animals on exhibit are native to New York State, including black bears, eastern coyotes, porcupines, bald eagles, and a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and birds, many of which are permanent residents due to injury or inability to survive in the wild. The Reptile, Amphibian, and Fish Museum features live specimens including spring peeper frogs and black rat snakes. The combination of scenic parkland, educational museums, and native wildlife encounters makes Trailside an enriching destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts in the greater New York region.
