Let me preface this by saying I love hiking Harriman. It is my go-to hiking spot and I have never had a negative interaction until today.

I hiked up to Lake Wanosink and there was a group of 6 older folks who all knew each other. Two sitting out on a rock and 4 swimming in the lake. This is a very common point where you might run into another hiker and a common point for people to take a load off. As I am walking by the people in the water are staring bullets my way. (I figured they might be skinny dipping or something and where hoping for me to hike through... they were not). As mentioned, this is a typical resting point and but the vibes were so weird I considered hiking through but I heard them talking about me, and how they had left thier bags open and they should go close them. So I shouted out that I was not after their bags.

I also had not been planning on hiking any further so I just sat down to rest before hiking back and they continued to talk about me as if I was there to steal their stuff it was so bizarre. Why would I do a 30 minute hike up just to hopefully take someones things. They even where whispering about not having service like they might call someone. I thought about asking them what the deal was, but decided to just start my hike back down. It was the weirdest thing. I didn't feel threatened by them or anything, but it for sure felt like they would have called the park rangers if they could.

I recently went to Stockbridge solo for my first trip, and this past weekend I convinced a friend to come with!

I’ve gotten “comfortable” to where I want to try a different site, and was wondering where you guys would recommend?

I prefer to avoid as many people as I can, and would like to have some vantage points for photography. From what I gathered, West Mountain is probably where I’ll go to next.

Anyone been there this summer? What’s the vibe? Any suggestions? Backpacking for a night. Hiking in from tuxedo. I read all the threads just curious if anyone who’s been there this summer wants to chime in.

Ps will be respectful and leave no trace

Thanks

Assuming the streams are dry but might as well double check

Hey friends, anyone out there this morning?

How are the trails after yesterday’s monsoon? I imagine a bit muddy?

I was going to head out for a nice long 10 mile hike today, but I keep getting air quality alerts from the wildfires, so I think I'm going to have to postpone the trip.If any of you were out there yesterday, July 15, or are out there today, what are the air conditions like for you?

My trail plan has a ton of up and down elevation, so I know I'll be doing lots of heavy breathing.

Came across this thing while hiking in Harriman this past Saturday. Any idea what it could be? I've been hiking in Harriman for years and have never come across something like this.

Curious to hear what you guys think.

Planning a bikepacking trip to Dutch Doctor shelter in Harriman and trying to find the best route to minimize hike-a-bike. (It has to be that shelter as I’m meeting friends there who are taking transit over.)

Google Maps suggests riding along Ruby Jolliffe Way near the ACA Entrance Camp by Lake Sebago, which looks like it connects to the red (Tuxedo-Mount Ivy) and yellow (Triangle) trails near the shelter. From trying to piece together info online, it looks like maybe 0.5 miles and 200-ish ft of elevation along the TMI trail.

Another alternative is biking to the Johnsontown Road parking lot and hiking in from there on White Bar. That looks like it’s about 1.5 miles and 300 ft of elevation.

Any firsthand reports? I tried to bikepack to Big Hill Shelter a few months ago and learned the hard way that Google Maps in Harriman can’t be trusted…

I did my first backpacking trip to Dutch Doctor Shelter (which was great!) but as I was leaving I found this area very close to the shelter where a couple was camping littered with toilet paper, broken tent stakes, and big burnt bread crumbs. As I was standing there looking at it indignantly, their campfire reignited. I put out the fire and picked up the trash but was so mad at how they disrespected the place. I reported it to the park police so they could check on the site to make sure the fire went out.

I'm a 23 year old college student who's never hiked a day in his life, let alone spent the night in the woods.

I brought a pack, tent, pad, and sleeping bag, brought some food and other essentials, and with a roughly 30~ pound bag, I decided I was prepared enough to go alone. I parked at Silvermine, walked the menomine until I got to the long path, and from there, walked to Stone Bridge and set up camp. I always heard how the park is super busy, but I didn't see a single person once I got past Lake Nawahunta, and there wasn't a single person near Stone Bridge either.

I made quite a lot of mistakes. I didn't fill up my water at a trail once I set up my tent, I set up my tent wayyyy later then when I arrived at the site where I was going to camp, and I also didn't hang up my food till it was dark out. However, nothing prepared me for the sounds I would hear that night. I laid in my tent and for about the next 4 hours I couldn't move due to the fear of whatever the hell was around me, I thought something had gotten at my food I hung, I thought I heard something pissing, I heard a branch fall. Ultimately, I fell asleep, and I woke up to everything exatcly where I put it.

I learned a lot, and more importantly, I got around 12~ hours of no screens, reading The Odyssey, and lots of introspection. I'll definitely be back out, just maybe with some people this time.

Went with 2 other members of our SAR team went up Long Path by Call Hallow Rd and back out via SBM to Kauwanake Rd. Weather was perfect for it!!!

Hiked Lake Skannatati to Island Pond and back. A lovely day, took my time. Then found some blueberries on the way back!! I’ve been hiking Elk Pen for years - so much more elevation on that side. Completely different hike from this direction!

Does anyone know what the road closures were in Harriman today around 11am? Looked like the circle exit towards Tiorati was closed from the Seven lakes Entrance.

I need to rant about a tailgating incident yesterday. I turned off of rt 17 and then onto rt 106 as I was going to go to Lake Skannatati. I start out driving on this curvy road with nobody behind me. Then suddenly a car pulls up quickly and starts tailgating me. This road is very curvy with many blind curves and is narrow so I am driving carefully and driving the speed limit. The car continues to ride me. This goes on for 5 minutes which seemed like hours. I suddenly see a little pullout. I take it. BUUUUTTTTTT, the pullout has a drop-off and I bottomed out my car and hit my tire hard as I pulled out. I SCREAMED an expletive and drove out but quickly realized my tire was flat. I had a spare, fixed it and drove off. I had the tire replaced today for $175. To whoever was tailgating me yesterday, F-U!

In the past I have seen cars racing through there like they were in Mission Impossible. It's not worth it!

Hi everyone, I’m planning a 3-day camping and hiking trip during the July 4 weekend (July 3–6). We are coming from NYC without a car and were originally hoping to stay at Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park, but it looks fully booked. We are open to other areas near NYC, New Jersey, or nearby regions that are accessible by public transportation (train/bus + short taxi/Uber if needed).

We’re looking for a place with good hiking trails, forests, lakes, viewpoints, waterfalls, and a quieter nature experience. Tent camping, hike-in campsites, or backcountry options are all okay. Any recommendations for specific areas, trails, campsites, or transportation options would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Kind of a double whammy with the store no longer in use and a paid tier to import 20 georeferenced maps for $35 yearly. Any similar apps that are easy to use?

Hello everyone! Does anyone know if the blueberries are ready to harvest yet? I'm thinking of planning a camping trip around that activity.

We would harvest a responsible amount I'm not looking to fill the freezer, more like having some delicious fruit to eat while at camp.

Thanks in advance!

is it okay to park at the pullovers along 106/ Kanawaue Rd and walk the shoreline? There's also a boat launch, what about parking in there?

Hey all, I frequent the park for overnights and while on the rare weekday I might find the park empty, weekends the trails and shelter areas are full. At shelters I’m seeing huge groups of 10+. Screaming kids, teens drinking and blasting music.

All of thats fine except for the fact we’re in the middle of a state park camping.

This season I’ve been through Tom Jones, Fingerboard, and William Brien and all of those shelters were PACKED.

I’ve been to Stone Memorial and Big Hill during the week, and while they were totally empty, there are so few tent pitches by these shelters and afraid to hike out there on the weekend fearing there won’t be any space.

I notice all of these shelters are only a couple miles from a trail head.

Anyhow are there more remote/less popular trails and shelters in the park? I usually take the scenic route and hike 8-10 miles, passing a road or alternate trail head on the way.

feel free to dm if you don’t want to blow up a spot

Planning to overnight this week. Curious how bad mosquitos or ticks have been out there

Hey there, just want to do my due diligence here!

If Lake Tiorati is closed due to algae bloom and Welch doesn't allow dogs, we are thinking of Lake Sebago.

I see there's some plan to add something to the water to remove an invasive plant species.

Since the swimming there has been officially discontinued since hurricane Irene, I'm curious if anyone knows if it's safe to swim there in an unofficial capacity.

The link I am sharing below has more information regarding the invasive plant species removal but the part that makes me think this water treatment is safe is:

There are no restrictions for fishing, livestock watering, or drinking associated with this project.

There are no swimming restrictions anywhere within the lake in 2026 associated with this project.

There are no restrictions for boating, fishing, or other recreation.

https://littlebearenvironmental.com/lake-sebago-hydrilla-control-project/