A good hiking and hammock-friendly wilderness near NYC?

[ricktreks]

Hi folks,

I'm planning to visit New York City late this summer and meet up with one of my siblings there. He's not the outdoorsy type. Last time we met was the last time he camped and that was in Utah back in 2014. So, I'm like the designated person in his life to administer his nature fix every few years. We decided to meet in NYC because I'm actually on my way to Europe, and the airfares were cheaper going through NYC. So I'm looking for a close-enough spot to the city (let's say within 100 miles of the metropolitan area), either in NY or Jersey but with decent trails and a hammock-friendly policy.

Any information you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

R

[Tyroler Holzhacker]

Try Harriman State Park. That's not too far from NYC.

[Tyroler Holzhacker]

I also like to hike around/swim in Lake Minnewaska near New Paltz. There is a resort nearby called the Mohonk Mountain House that is excellent, albeit pricey. The website is Mohonk.com

[TheMushroom]

I love hiking the Minnewaska / Mohunk area, and New Paltz is a pretty interesting little place, but if you are looking to hang I would definitely go with the first suggestion and look into Harriman. To my knowledge Minnewaska State Park and Mohunk Preserve have no overnight camping. There is one little campground that I know of at the bottom of Mohunk, but it is usually booked up.

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[MikekiM]

Tons of places to choose from once you set that radius at 100 miles..

Harriman has been mentioned. The Catskills 35's are within striking range going north.
Stokes, Ringwood, Kittatiny, Abram Hewitt, Worthington Forest, Splitrock Res, Stonetown Circular, Mnt Minsi & Mnt Tammany (Mind the Gap), Shunnemunk, Lake Awosting near Minnewaska.. all south and west.

[Dirtbaghiker]

Harriman great but Catskills GREATER!!!

[TrailBlaser]

How about hiking a section of the AT and camping? You can take Metro North to the Appalachian Trail Station (check the schedule carefully because the schedule is limited). The trail is right there at the station.

[SilvrSurfr]

There's always the NJ Pine Barrens.

[electbc]

The Catskills would probably be a bit cooler than more southern locations in Late Summer if that would help.

[cmoulder]

How many days/nights, hiking distances, weekday or weekend, transportation to trail head? Harriman and even Catskills can get pretty busy on summer weekends.