When it comes to planning an October day trip from New York City, there’s always a little seasonal dilemma: Do you want colorful fall foliage, a cozy escape into nature, or something just spooky enough to feel appropriate for the season?
Luckily, there’s a place where you can have all three. Tucked into the hills of Bear Mountain State Park, just about 90 minutes from NYC, Doodletown is an abandoned mountain hamlet where crumbling stone foundations, overgrown roads, old cemeteries, and the remains of former homes are slowly being reclaimed by the forest. It’s the kind of place that feels almost too atmospheric to be this close to one of the busiest cities in the country.
Rise & Fall of Doodletown
First settled by French Huguenots and Dutch pioneers in the 1760s, Doodletown grew into a self-sustaining hamlet of iron miners, loggers, and mountain families. British troops even marched through during the Revolutionary War en route to attack nearby Fort Montgomery.
By the 1920s, the surrounding parklands began expanding. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission gradually acquired properties to protect the watershed, using eminent domain to claim the remaining homes by 1965. By the late 1960s, the last residents had departed, and structures were demolished—leaving behind an eerie footprint of stone foundations and staircases to nowhere.
Trails, Ruins & Rare Flora
What You’ll Discover
- Foundations & Markers: Plaques mark former locations of the schoolhouse, general store, and private residences.
- 18th-Century Cemeteries: The Second Methodist and June Cemeteries remain well-preserved with headstones dating back over 200 years.
- Iron Mine Shafts: Small trail offshoots lead to old openings for the Iona Island and Proske mines.
- Autumn Wildflowers: Native asters, goldenrod, and rare mountain flora border the old paved roads amidst vibrant hardwood foliage.
Getting There From NYC
Located 45 miles north of Midtown in Rockland County, NY.
By Car
- Drive: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway North to Exit 15/19 toward Route 9W.
- Parking: Park at the roadside trailhead on Route 9W (near Doodletown Road) or in the main Bear Mountain Inn lot ($10 fee) and take the connecting footpaths south.
By Public Transit
- Train + Rideshare: Take Metro-North’s Hudson Line from Grand Central to Peekskill Station (~60 min), then a 15-minute Uber/Lyft across the river.
- Bus: Coach USA runs seasonal direct buses from Port Authority straight to the Bear Mountain Inn.
Visitor Tips
- Facilities: No restrooms or concessions exist inside the ghost town footprint; use the facilities at the Bear Mountain Inn prior to hiking.
- Footwear: Wear sturdy trail shoes, as fallen autumn leaves can obscure loose stone paths.
- Leave No Trace: Do not disturb historic graves or collect artifacts.