Bear Mountain Bridge

The Bear Mountain Bridge crosses the Hudson River between Rockland and Orange counties to the west and Westchester and Putnam counties to the east, and held the title of world's longest suspension bridge upon its opening in 1924 — briefly, before larger spans followed. Built to meet surging automobile traffic of the 1920s, it opened up Bear Mountain State Park to day-trippers from New York City. The two-lane steel bridge is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From the riverbanks, it frames sweeping views across the wide Hudson into the forested Hudson Highlands, making it a natural starting point for hiking trails through the surrounding parkland.