Fort Montgomery

Stunning views of the Hudson and the bear mountain bridge.
A well signed and obvious path leads from station to station where plaques describe the various uses of the fort, the battles that occurred and the history of its creation.
A park station has restrooms and vending machines and is conveniently located adjacent to the parking area.
Hiking down the slope towards the river is possible but unmarked and at your own risk.

This historic site gets overlooked because it is situated so close to West Point, the US military academy. However, its worth a pit stop for the historically inclined. There are some great areas in the woods overlooking the Hudson that are market out as places where cannons were shot and battles took place. It was a great photo op. My sister and I took a short walk around the old fort, and read up on some of the history of the battle fought there. I believe the Americans actually lost the battle, but then regrouped up the river at West Point, where Washington had placed much stronger fortifications.
The museum itself is on the smaller side, but there is a stamp for those who collect the national passport book stamps for historic sites.

Amazing place.
1) The museum itself is small.
2) The location is great.
3) It is free.
4) They have clean restrooms and ample space for parking.
5) You can park here, and take the trail to hike Popolopen Torne, Anthony’s Neck, etc.
6) If you do not want to hike, then Bear Mountain Bridge and Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park are walking distance.
Come, visit, and enjoy the rest of the area.

A long time ago, in a country not too far away…
Rebel forces were trying their best to sever all ties with a global Empire that taxed without enough representation to satisfy some sons of liberty.
Or so the story goes and Fort Montgomery is a lesser known battle ground in the American War for Independence.
Turns out that things didn’t go all that well for the American forces as you’ll learn at the visitor center. Outnumbered and outgunned, the rebels lost to the British forces under the command of General Henry Clinton. However, the victory was more tactical than strategic as Clinton’s forces were delayed and unable to augment the forces of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. A British loss at Saratoga leads to French intervention and suddenly the rebel forces have a powerful ally. (Even if it is the French)
So what is a 21^st century visitor to encounter at Fort Montgomery? Not much of the original fort remains but you do derive a sense of what it must have been like over two hundred years ago thanks to various markers explaining the ruins. Here, a powder magazine. There, a necessary. Towards the Hudson River, recreations of cannons show where the oncoming naval forces would have been bombarded.
The visitor center (no pictures allowed!) has a few display cases of artifacts from the era along with a general narrative of the battle.
Exiting through the visitor’s center, you can walk either to the left and see the ruins of the fort or proceed to the right and descend to the shores of the Popolopen Creek. From there you can walk across a foot bridge to a zoo. The trail can be a bit rocky so make sure you have appropriate footwear.
Alas, we didn’t make it to the zoo but we did spot children coming back from that direction so it must exist, even if I haven’t verified it mine own eyes.
Admission is free and the visitor’s center has bathrooms and a water fountain. Photo opportunities of the Bear Mountain bridge and Hudson River abound so plan accordingly.
When approaching from the one road that leads here you’ll spot a sign for Fort Montgomery. Be prepared for a French Connection dramatic car turn/​rubber burning maneuver right after that sign. Or actually, you won’t have to since I am providing that information right here.
For fans of colonial history, the great outdoors, mountains, bridges and creeks, Fort Montgomery is a pleasant way to spend 1 – 2 hours of weekend exploration time.