First Day Hike photos by Andrea Swenson, courtesy of Nyack News and Views

Kicking Off 2025 With Neighbors and Nature

Palisades Parks Conservancy kicked off 2025 with an incredible First Day Hike Festival at Nyack Beach State Park's historic Bathhouse. We welcomed nearly 350 attendees (and several enthusiastic dogs!) for a day of exploring the heights of Hook Mountain and riverbank of Nyack Beach State Park, as well as the beautiful River Hook preserve in Upper Nyack.

Nyack's State Parks are only part of the 100,000+ acres and more than 35 public parks and historic sites the Palisades Parks Conservancy serves, stretching from the GW Bridge up to the Catskill Mountains.

From live music and warm refreshments to traversing three different landscapes on self-guided hikes, the event was a vibrant celebration of nature and the local community. And while most hikers lived nearby, a number hailed from as far as Philadelphia, showing the draw of our incredibly scenic Palisades Region!

Photo by Sabeena Prescod

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, including Champlain Hudson Power Express and La Promenade, and partners like Friends of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain, Friends of River Hook, Marydell Faith and Life Center, and Long Path Outfitters for making this day unforgettable! We also owe thanks to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and New York State Parks for making the festival possible.

Thanks to Nyack News and Views for their coverage of our First Day Hike Festival.

The start line at the 2024 Palisades Half, photographed by Frank Bernabei

Announcing the 2025 Palisades Half Marathon

If you're looking for another way to enjoy the Palisades, registration is now open for our next Palisades Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday September 21, 2025. Join for a breathtaking race along the New Jersey Palisades Cliffs, covering 13.1 miles of paved course with 1600 ft of elevation change! This race promises a challenging run made worth it by stunning views at every turn.

The race will be accessible by car, bike, and shuttle service, which will run between upper Manhattan and the start/finish line. Whether you are training for the fall marathon season, a nature lover, or looking for an endurance challenge, this race will invigorate and inspire. 

Meet your goals for the New Year by signing up today!

Photo by TJ B.

Thank You For Your Support

Thank you to all who donated in 2024. You helped fund recreational programs, support first responders fighting regional wildfires, and enabled us to bring back the Palisades Half Marathon.

If you did not get a chance to contribute to our year-end fundraising campaign, you can still make a difference in our parks by making a donation today. Every dollar raised goes towards protecting and supporting the Palisades Parks.



We depend on individuals, as well as public funds, for financial support to fulfill our mission. Your donations enable the conservation and protection of open space and wildlife habitats, and increase programs and services for millions of visitors every year. The Palisades Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization EIN: 13-4138370.