Harriman State Park Winter Parking

[DayTrip]

Technically a NY forum question probably but that group is fairly inactive, most members who follow that area are active in New England as well, and most people on here know that area anyway so I just posted here. Moderators feel free to move/duplicate if you think that is best.

I've been researching various hikes from a post I made in May about Harriman State Park. I downloaded the Hiker Parking PDF from their website and noticed way at the bottom that many of the roads close roughly from Dec 1 to Apr 1 (weather dependent). I had a few questions on that from anyone who may have hiked there in the off season:

1) Parking Area #9 On Map (Elk Pen Parking Area on Arden Valley Road). Arden Valley Road is listed as one of the roads that closes for Winter. Lot #9 is less than 1/2 mile from Route 17 so I'm wondering where exactly the road gets closed from. Is this lot still accessible before a gate or whatever? And if it is closed right at Rte 17 is it allowed/is there room to park off Rte 17 and walk in? It is only about 0.4 miles to the Elk Pen Lot.

2) Seven Lakes Drive is not listed as a closed road but several roads that intersect it are, and that appears to be the most efficient way to get onto Seven Lakes Drive. Are the parking areas on Seven Lakes Drive open/maintained? Are there actual gates they close?

I'm not planning any dead of Winter hikes in the area. Looking at the next 2-4 weeks while things are snow free. I would most likely want to park at Elk Pen just off Rte 17 but I was looking for alternate starting points if that is not an option. It sounds like that would likely still be open. If anybody knows the area in the offseason I'd appreciate any info you have. Thanks in advance.

 

[John H Swanson]

Late response, but for reference:

1) in previous years the road closed barricade was located just after (east of) the entrance to the Elk Pen parking lot. I think (i'm pretty sure) you are NOT allowed to park on Rt 17 or on the Arden valley road.

2) Seven Lakes drive remains open in winter, however due to budget cuts they have reduced plowing on this road - plowing is done in daytime hours so don't expect it to be clear at night when there is a blizzard. Also note the parking lots are plowed after the road is cleared so you might be able to drive the road but not access the parking lots. Roadside parking is prohibited. They will ticket, but not always. When its really bad, they have and can close the Seven Lakes Drive however this is more likely to happen north of the Kannewauke circle.

Recommended Parking Lots are: Reeves Meadow, Sebego Boat Launch, Skannatati, Tiorati, and Silvermine. As with any trailhead, be aware that car break-ins have occurred.

 

[Dana]

Also Kanawauke Road (Rt. 106) is generally closed for the winter between Seven Lakes Drive (actually just past the Kanawauke parking lot, which remains open) and Rt. 17.

 

[DayTrip]

Also Kanawauke Road (Rt. 106) is generally closed for the winter between Seven Lakes Drive (actually just past the Kanawauke parking lot, which remains open) and Rt. 17.

I think that disclaimer is on their parking info PDF.

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Do the Anthony Wayne Recreation Center and Bear Mountain lots remain open in winter?

 

[DayTrip]

This is the reference I have been using (https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/HarrimanHikerParkingLots.pdf). There are some minimal notes on Winter at bottom of Page 2. I think a lot of the real world comments mentioned here are not addressed in those notes so they are helpful.

 

[Dana]

Do the Anthony Wayne Recreation Center and Bear Mountain lots remain open in winter?

AW, I think so. Bear Mountain for sure, as the inn is open year round.

 

[BISCUT]

Bear Mt lots remain open in winter.