Perkins Memorial Tower, Bear Mountain
Hudson Valley, New York · 1,299 ft
Typical peak
Oct 8 – Oct 16
moderate confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunset
The stone tower on the summit opens a full circle over the Hudson Highlands, with the river, the Bear Mountain Bridge and Iona Island below. Oak-dominated slopes turn later than the Catskills, so color holds here into late October.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
high
Busy through peak. Be parked before sunrise or expect to walk in.
Getting there
Drive Perkins Memorial Drive from Seven Lakes Drive to the summit lot, or hike about 1.4 miles up the Appalachian Trail from Hessian Lake.
What turns here
- northern red oak
- sugar maple
- blackgum
- shagbark hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 12Typical color progression for Perkins Memorial Tower, Bear Mountain. No change from Sep 4 to Sep 21. First color from Sep 21 to Sep 30. Approaching peak from Sep 30 to Oct 8. Peak from Oct 8 to Oct 16. Past peak from Oct 16 to Oct 26. Bare from Oct 26 to Nov 9.
Perkins Memorial Tower, Bear Mountain is typically at bare on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
None yet
No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
59°F / 38°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Perkins Memorial Tower, Bear Mountain on October 12, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:36 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 99° | 7:04 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 37 min of low, warm light | 7:41 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:42 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset | 5:43 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 261° | 6:20 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:48 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 11h 16m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.