Steep climb to an old fire tower with incredible 360-degree views of the Hudson Valley. The Casino Trail is relentless but short - you gain serious elevation fast. Fire tower at the top is the cherry on top. One of the best view-to-effort ratios in the area.
This trail is part of Hudson Highlands State Park Preservein the Hudson Valley region — explore all hikes in New York.
Mount Beacon Park, Beacon, NY
Mount Beacon is one of those hikes where you earn every single inch of that view. The Casino Trail starts steep and basically never lets up until you hit the summit ridge. We were huffing and puffing the whole way up, but it's relatively short so you just power through it.
The payoff at the top is massive. The fire tower gives you a full 360-degree panorama - the Hudson River stretching north and south, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge below you, and on clear days you can see all the way to the Catskills and beyond. We climbed the fire tower and just sat up there for a good 20 minutes taking it all in.
The trail itself is well-worn and easy to follow. You'll pass the ruins of the old Beacon Incline Railway near the base, which is a cool piece of history. The railway used to carry people to a casino and resort at the top back in the early 1900s - hence the name Casino Trail.
It's popular, especially on weekends, but it never felt unbearably crowded when we went. The parking lot at the trailhead is small so arriving early is key. We'd recommend this trail for anyone who wants a solid workout with an incredible payoff at the summit. Just be prepared for your legs to feel it the next day.
See our photos from this hike on Instagram @best.hikes.usa
Arrive Early for Parking
The trailhead parking lot is small and fills up fast on weekends. Get there before 9am or you'll be searching for street parking further away.
Trekking Poles Help
The descent is steep and can be hard on the knees. Trekking poles make a big difference coming back down, especially if it's been rainy and the rocks are slick.
Climb the Fire Tower
Don't skip the fire tower at the summit. The 360-degree views from up top are significantly better than from the ground and it's the highlight of the whole hike.
Bring Layers
It can be significantly windier and cooler at the summit than at the trailhead. Bring a light jacket even on warm days - you'll want it at the top.
Watch Your Footing
The trail has exposed rocks and roots that get slippery when wet. Good hiking boots with ankle support are recommended over trail runners for this one.
Draught IndustriesBar
Great craft beer selection and solid pub food. Perfect spot to collapse into a chair after the climb and reward yourself with a cold one.
View in Google MapsMelzingah Tap HouseRestaurant
Cozy gastropub with creative comfort food and a great beer list. Their burgers are excellent post-hike fuel.
View in Google MapsBeacon Bread CompanyCafe
Fantastic sandwiches and baked goods. Great coffee too. Perfect if you hiked early and want breakfast or lunch.
View in Google MapsHudson Valley BreweryBrewery
Must-visit for craft beer fans. Their sour ales are some of the best in the region. Small taproom with rotating taps.
View in Google MapsTlahco TaqueriaRestaurant
Mexican taqueria that opened at 142 Main St in 2025, taking over the beloved taco spot. Authentic flavors, great street tacos.
View in Google Maps
ModerateShort but solid. 2.6 miles with enough elevation to feel like real hiking. Steady climb through woods with rocky sections. Views of the Hudson River at the top are perfect - we've done this one a bunch of times and never get tired of it.
View Trail
EasyA beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail near Pawling, NY that takes you through open meadows, rolling farmland, and along a boardwalk through the Great Swamp. One of the more unique AT sections in New York - feels more like the English countryside than a mountain trail.
View Trail
ModerateOur most hiked trail. Mix of woods, rocky sections, and ridge walking with incredible views. Summit tower gives you 360-degree views of the Hudson and surrounding peaks. Solid moderate difficulty - you work but never feel destroyed. Close to the city, beautiful year-round.
View TrailThese are the items we bring on every hike. Links help support this site at no extra cost to you.
You'll be on steep rock and loose dirt. Don't cut corners on footwear.
We use: Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
Bring at least 2 liters. Most trails here don't have safe water refill points along the route.
We use: CamelBak Chute Mag 32oz
Fits water, food, rain layer, headlamp, and a basic first aid kit comfortably.
We use: Osprey Talon 22
The rocky ridges here — especially on descents — are much more manageable with poles.
We use: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
Trail forests get dark fast. Always carry one even on planned half-day hikes.
We use: Black Diamond Spot 400
Northeast mountain weather is unpredictable. Afternoon storms roll in without warning — always have a packable layer.
We use: Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket
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A great guide for a weekend hike. I used BestHikesUSA.com to plan a weekend hike and found it really helpful. The trail information made it easy to get a feel for what to expect before heading out, and I appreciated having the distance, elevation gain, and estimated hiking time all in one place. The best part was knowing a little about the trail ahead of time without spoiling the experience of discovering it for myself. The practical tips were useful, and the guide helped me feel prepared before I hit the trail. Overall, a great resource for anyone looking to get outside and explore more of the outdoors. I’ll definitely be checking out more hikes on the site before my next weekend adventure!