Get Outside In and Around Carmel, New York

Don’t let New York’s icy winters stop you from getting outdoors and having some fun. Carmel and the surrounding areas are ideal places to have fun outside any time of year. Here are some of our favorite outdoor activities you can enjoy in and around Carmel.

Enjoy Winter Sports at Fahnestock Winter Park

Before the snow melts, make sure you enjoy your favorite winter sports at Fahnestock Winter Park, right here in Carmel. Part of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, this winter wonderland has more than 12 miles of well-kept ski trails, a network of blazed snowshoe trails, and space for sledding and tubing. Bring your own equipment or rent skis, snowshoes, or sledding tubes from the park. You can also hire baby polks so the littlest members of your family can join in the fun. After a busy day on the slopes, unwind with concession stand treats around the outdoor fire pit.

Location: 1570 Route 301, Carmel.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, subject to snow availability and holidays.
Cost: Trail pass $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 62+ and juniors under 17, sledding pass $3 for all ages, additional costs for rentals.

Connect With Nature at Fahnestock State Park

Fahnestock Winter Park isn’t the only place to have fun outdoors in Fahnestock State Park. This 14,086-acre park is an outdoor playground with plenty of space for you to enjoy your favorite activities. Hike the trails and keep your eyes peeled for local bird life. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride or fish for rainbow trout or bass in Stillwater or Canopus Lake.

You’ll need a permit, but you can get one from a local town hall or sporting goods store. If you want to spend more time outdoors, you can pitch a tent or park your RV at the park’s campground.

Location: 1498 Route 301, Carmel.
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily, except for certain areas that open seasonally.
Cost: $9 entry to Canopus Lake Recreation Area. Additional boat rental, permit, and camping fees apply.

Admire the View From the Top of Ninham Mountain

For spectacular views of the New York City skyline, you can’t beat the summit of Ninham Mountain. Take the gravel road leading from the parking lot to the fire tower, which provides views right across to Manhattan on a clear day. While it’s only a 15-minute walk, it’s a steep incline, so your legs may feel a little wobbly on the way down. You can explore the 10-mile mountain trail network if you want a longer walk. The paths are popular with mountain bikers, so keep your wits about you if you’re on foot.

Location: Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel.
Hours: All year round.
Cost: Free.

Have a Picnic at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park

With playgrounds, grills, and picnic tables, Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park is the perfect spot for a family lunch outdoors. And since it spans, there’s plenty of room to spread out and play. During the summer months, you can cool off in the park’s lake, and children ages 16 and under can fish from the pier without a license. Just make sure to take a moment and pay your respects to the veterans this park honors. The park features several war memorials and vehicles, including an M-60 tank and a Cobra-318 helicopter. It also hosts community events throughout the year.

Location: 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Cost: Parking starts at $8 a day.

Play a Round at Centennial Golf Club

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll love the challenge of Centennial Golf Club’s 27-hole championship course. Dual PGA champion Larry Nelson, who designed the course, described it as a course that’s “the most naturally suited to golf.” Play any combination of three nine-hole courses before retiring to the Centennial Grille Room for drinks and a delicious meal. If your game needs work or you want to take it to the next level, sign up for private lessons or join one of Dave Pelz’s golf clinics.

Location: 185 John Simpson Road, Carmel.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Cost: Dynamic pricing, which changes with demand.

Explore Lasdon Park

There’s so much to see at Lasdon Park. We recommend driving 20 minutes to Katonah in the morning to leave the whole day for exploring. The 234-acre space features an authentic Chinese friendship garden, a historic tree walk, and one of Westchester County’s largest lilac collections. The memorial garden honors William and Mildred Lasdon, the park’s namesakes, who originally lived on the grounds where it now stands. The onsite veteran’s museum also provides the opportunity for quiet reflection. The seasonal dinosaur garden and events, such as the annual train show and butterflies exhibit, are great fun for kids.

Location: 2610 Amawalk Road, Route 35, Katonah.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Cost: Free.

Take a Kayaking Tour

Kayaking is the ideal way to explore the local area while having fun outdoors. If you don’t own a kayak, the Hudson River Expeditions tour can get you out on the water. These guided tours cater to all experience levels, so don’t worry if you’ve never kayaked before. We recommend the Beacon tours, which see you paddling from Long Dock Park, around 25 minutes from Carmel, to Cold Spring. The leisurely three-hour journey helps you build your confidence while admiring the sites of the Hudson Highlands. Once you arrive in Cold Spring, your guide will shuttle you back to Beacon.

Location: Leave from Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park, 23 Long Dock Park, Beacon.
Hours: Tour times vary. Check the Hudson River Expedition website for the current tour schedule.
Cost: $120 for the three-hour Beacon to Cold Spring tour.

When exploring the Carmel area, you’ll need a ride that won’t disappoint you. If your vehicle’s past its best, visit the Meadowland GMC team. We can introduce you to the new vehicles from GMC or a quality used car. No matter your budget, we can help you find a set of wheels you’ll love.

Photo Credit: Image by Bo Gordy-Stith is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

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