rockland lake state park
The Park is open year round and used heavily between Memorial and Labor Day. For best birding, avoid peak crowds.
Rockland Lake State Park's lake is located on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west bank of the Hudson River. This well developed park offers two Olympic-sized swimming pools, picnic tables and grills, a car-top boat launch and boat rentals, angling, jogging, hiking trails, six tennis courts and two golf courses. Winter visitors can enjoy designated cross-country ski trails and sledding slopes.
Open year round. A Parking fee is charged from approximately late May to Labor Day. The golf courses and tennis courts open from March to late November. Boaters can launch or rent boats from April through November. The Nature Center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
In the 1830's Rockland Lake was the center of an important ice industry, employing over 2,000 people. The ice was transported to Hudson River boats for transport to New York City. The industry was closed in the 1920's with the advent of mechanical refrigeration. Remnants of the ice industry can still be seen.