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High Tor State Park
Haverstraw Village from High Tor State Park.jpg
View from atop High Tor Mountain with the Village of Haverstraw, the Hudson River, and Westchester County in the distance.
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Type State park
Location 415 South Mountain Road
New City, New York
Nearest city Haverstraw, New York
Area 691 acres (2.80 km2)
Created 1943 (1943)
Operated by
Visitors 21,524 (in 2014)
Website High Tor State Park

High Tor State Park is a fun place to visit in Rockland County, New York, United States. It's a large state park that covers about 691 acres (2.8 km2). The park is found on South Mountain, which has two main peaks: High Tor and Little Tor. High Tor is the taller of the two, reaching about 797 feet (243 m) high.

Discover High Tor State Park

High Tor State Park is a great spot for a day trip, especially during the summer. It offers many activities for visitors to enjoy. You can have a picnic, cool off in the swimming pool, or explore the park's many hiking trails. There's even a place to buy snacks and drinks.

What Makes High Tor Special?

The park is home to two impressive peaks: High Tor and Little Tor. High Tor stands at 797 feet (243 m) tall, and Little Tor is 620 feet (189 m) high. These peaks are the highest points in the entire Hudson Palisades area. From the top of High Tor, you can even see the amazing skyline of New York City far in the distance!

View from Bowline Pond Toward High Tor
An early photograph looking toward the Village of Haverstraw and the High Tor and Little Tor peaks.

A Look Back in Time: High Tor's History

High Tor has played an important role in history. During the American Revolution, colonists used High Tor as a signal point. They would light fires or send other signals from its summit to communicate important messages. Later, during World War II, the peak was used as an air raid watch station. People would keep an eye out for enemy planes from this high vantage point. Famous composer Kurt Weill even worked there as an air raid warden during that time.

Hiking the Long Path

A famous hiking trail called the Long Path goes right through High Tor State Park. This trail is very long, stretching for many miles across New York State. If you enjoy hiking, you can explore a part of this historic path within the park.

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