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Hiking Lake Welch Beach - panoramic view  tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Lake Welch Beach: trails, map and practical info

Hudson Valley • New York

4.5 Appreciated by 15 hikers

Lake Welch Beach (Hudson Valley, New York) : easy hike, 1.6 km, 30 m of elevation gain, summit at 20 m, about 30min. No dogs. Open: Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 8…. Fees and hours to confirm with Lake Welch Beach, the official website.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
1.6 km
Elevation
30 m
Duration
30min
Max altitude
20 m

Explore 1.6 km of scenic trails at Lake Welch Beach in New York's Hudson Valley, where sandy shores meet direct access to Harriman State Park's extensive hiking network. This easy 30-minute walk combines beach relaxation with trail exploration, ideal for families seeking both water activities and backcountry adventure in one location.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Lake Welch Beach? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

{
"remove_section": "Camping and Extended Stays",
"remove_reason": "Beaver Pond Campground is unverified by any web source. Cannot confirm existence or facilities.",
"corrections": [
{
"section": "Seasonal Considerations and Facilities",
"old_text": "Lake Welch Beach operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day",
"new_text": "Lake Welch Beach is available for summer months",
"reason": "Sources confirm 'summer months' but exact dates (Memorial Day/Labor Day) are not verified"
},
{
"section": "Trail Access and Hiking Options",
"issue": "Pine Meadow Trail and Seven Hills Trail are not mentioned in any web sources",
"recommendation": "Remove specific trail names or mark as unverified. Web only confirms 'trails wind between forest and alongside lake banks'"
},
{
"section": "Description general",
"issue": "200-acre lake size not confirmed in sources",
"recommendation": "Remove '200-acre' specification as unverified"
},
{
"section": "Description general",
"issue": "Palisades Interstate Park Commission maintenance claims unverified",
"recommendation": "Simplify to: 'well-maintained sandy shores with designated swimming areas and picnic zones'"
},
{
"section": "Facilities description",
"issue": "Multi-language support details not verified",
"recommendation": "Remove specific language list (Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Urdu)"
},
{
"section": "Description general",
"issue": "Transparency reports and Office of Parks details unverified",
"recommendation": "Remove references to 'transparency reports' and 'Office of Parks'"
}
]
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
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4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Lake Welch Beach, 800 Kanawauke Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980, USA
GPS coordinates
41.2295269, -74.0693849
Phone
(845) 947-2444

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the lake welch beach in New York can be accessed by taking the George Washington Bridge to the Palisades Parkway. The parkway will lead to the Bear Mountain Bridge. Once you cross the bridge, take the first exit (Lake Welch). The entrance to the beach is on the right.

When?

Opening hours
Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
Fees, tickets and reservations: Lake Welch Beach
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
41.2295269, -74.0693849
Center
(845) 947-2444

Hikers' opinions

4.5
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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Lake Welch Beach is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Lake Welch Beach is 30 m.
The summit of Lake Welch Beach is at 20 m.
Allow about 30min for Lake Welch Beach (1.6 km).
Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tickets, reservations and access conditions are managed by Lake Welch Beach: that is where the information is kept current.
No, dogs are not allowed on the trails of Lake Welch Beach.
Lake Welch Beach is not recommended for young children.
No, Lake Welch Beach has no visitor centre on site.
Yes, Lake Welch Beach trails are rated as Easy difficulty, making them ideal for beginners and families. With only 20 m of elevation gain and a short 1.6 km distance, these trails require minimal hiking experience.
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Update : October 2026