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Starve-Hollow State Park Potato Creek State Park in Northlake, Indiana 
by Richard Corrigan 
Harriman State Park (nysparks.com), with an area of more than 44,000 acres, is New York's largest state park. The park includes numerous scenic roads and overlooks as well as 31 lakes and approximately 200 miles of hiking trails that wind through its mountains, valleys and forests. Harriman also shares a border with Bear Mountain State Park and, with a location less than 40 miles from New York City, is one of the most visited parks in the New York State park system.


Hiking is a prime attraction at this state park, and you can explore 235 miles of trails that wind through Harriman and neighboring Bear Mountain State Park. The interconnected trail system includes more than 50 marked trails -- not to mention unmarked trails -- that cover terrain ranging from easy to strenuous. Harriman and Bear Mountain state parks also include an 18-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, actually the first section ever to be constructed. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,160-mile footpath that stretches all the way from Georgia to Maine.

Campgrounds and Cabins

You can camp at several locations in Harriman State Park. The park's primary camping area is the Beaver Pond Campground, which has 138 campsites for both tents and RVs. The campsites are shady and secluded, and each includes a picnic table and campfire ring. The campground has drinking water, modern restrooms and showers, dump stations and laundry facilities, but no hookups are available at the sites. Rustic group camping is also available by permit at Lake Tiorati, and the the Sebago Cabin camping complex has 40 rustic cabins, each with a fire ring and picnic table.


Several lakes in Harriman State Park are open to fishing, swimming and boating. These include lakes Tiorati, Silvermine, Kanawauke, Welch and Sebago. Launch facilities and boat rentals are available. Boats are restricted to non-powered craft only, and you must have a PIPC Boat Permit. At time of publication, you could purchase a permit in the park at a cost of $30. New York State fishing licenses are also required for fishing. Recreation areas at Lake Tiorati, Lake Welch and Lake Sebago include beaches and picnic areas with tables and grills. Swimming is allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day.


The Silvermine Picnic Area, located at Lake Silvermine, has a sledding hill and trail access for cross-country skiing, and the restrooms remain open year round. Many other trails throughout the park are accessible in winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Harriman State Park also has a gift shop, dining facilities, museum and visitor center. Trail maps and guides are available for purchase through the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.



