I am someone that loves experiences and traveling, so I’ve been having a difficult time adjusting to this new way of living. On top of craving a getaway, I’ve been wanting an escape from noisy neighbors (fun fact: noise complaints have increased dramatically in New York City since quarantine/the pandemic); the solution?
Unplug and take a day trip!
Sterling Forest State Park is about an hour and a half away from New York City and gave me exactly what I was looking for: a change of scenery, peace, quiet, and amazing views.
Once you pull into the park, be sure to stop by the visitor’s center and grab a map. The park ranger on duty was extremely helpful in mapping out the hike of my dreams, which mainly involved catching majestic views at the top of a lookout. After you grab your map, be sure to make a quick trip to the (clean) bathroom because you might be out in the woods for a WHILE. There’s also a water fountain nearby, so don’t forget to fill up before hitting the trail!
ANOTHER NOTE: This park is carry-in/out, so please take all of your trash with you and do not litter!
Something wonderful to note is that the trails are very clearly marked, so there’s a very slim chance of getting lost! The suggested route, the blue trail (Sterling Lake Loop) to the orange trail (Bare Rock) to the blue and white trail (Sterling Ridge), was 4 miles— 2 miles there and 2 miles back. The Sterling Lake Loop leads you around the lake, with some interesting ruins along the way. A small warning: the Bare Rock trail is uphill, but once you connect to the Sterling Ridge trail and get to the lookout, the view is totally worth it!
My friend and I picked the perfect time to go as the leaves are just starting to change color. At the lookout, we were able to see the beautiful lake and the colorful trees in the distance. Hiking back down was a little easier, although there were a few trips and slips along the way!
Side note: One thing I love about hiking culture is how friendly people on the trails are. Everyone we passed by said hello and some even gave tips on how the rest of the trails were.
After our four mile hike, we decided to head into the nearby village of Sloatsburg to grab a bite to eat. The hike was strenuous and we were ready to chow down! We visited Seven Lake Station, which got amazing reviews on Yelp! and Google. They have socially distanced outdoor seating, with a nice backyard space. We both got burgers and fries. The burgers were cooked to perfection and the fries were a dream! Get your fries with their chipotle dipping sauce and you won’t be disappointed!
Sterling Forest State Park is located at 116 Old Forge Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987.
Seven Lakes Station is located at 80 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974.
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