The best traffic-free bike rides in Storm King State Park

There are nearly a dozen dedicated no-traffic gravel bike trails in Storm King State Park, offering a range of experiences from moderate to difficult. These routes are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

The terrain in Storm King State Park is rugged and striking, featuring significant elevation changes, steep ascents, and winding paths through forests. While primarily known for hiking, these varied landscapes translate well to gravel biking, offering a mix of climbs and descents on natural surfaces and fire roads. Some segments can be unpaved and challenging, occasionally requiring you to push your bike.

The park's beauty is accessible across multiple seasons. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant foliage, while summer provides lush greenery. Given the undeveloped nature of the park, it's always wise to check local weather conditions, especially after heavy rain or snow, as trail surfaces can become more challenging.

Yes, due to the rugged and sometimes rough nature of the trails, it's recommended to use tires 35mm or larger. For some of the more challenging sections, a hardtail mountain bike would not be an overkill, ensuring better comfort and control on varied surfaces.

While Storm King State Park is largely undeveloped and lacks formal amenities like visitor centers, there are various access points and informal parking areas around its perimeter. Many routes, such as the School Mountain Road Trail – Indian Brook Road - gravel loop from Cold Spring, often start from nearby towns like Cold Spring or Garrison, where parking options may be available.

The park is renowned for its unsurpassed views of the Hudson Valley, the Hudson River, and the distant Catskills and Hudson Highlands. Notable viewpoints include North Point Summit, offering stunning vistas of the Hudson River, Breakneck Ridge, Butter Hill, and Storm King Mountain itself. You might also encounter a Winding cliffside country road with beautiful views.

Absolutely. Several routes in the area are classified as difficult, featuring significant elevation gains and longer distances. For example, the Indian Brook Road - gravel – Sunken Mine Road loop from Garrison covers over 71 km with more than 1300 meters of elevation gain, providing a substantial challenge for experienced gravel bikers.

Yes, the adjacent Black Rock Forest features fire roads that can be incorporated into rides originating near Storm King State Park. A great example is the Black Rock Forest – Black Rock Forest loop from Storm King State Park, which offers a moderate 19.6 km ride through this connected network.

Storm King State Park generally allows dogs, but they must be kept on a leash. Always ensure your dog is comfortable with the terrain and distance, especially on longer or more challenging gravel routes, and remember to carry enough water for both of you as the park is undeveloped.

While many trails in Storm King State Park are rugged and can be challenging, some sections or shorter loops might be suitable for families with older children who are comfortable with varied terrain. It's best to review the route details and difficulty ratings carefully, as the park's undeveloped nature means fewer amenities and potentially rougher surfaces compared to paved paths.

Yes, many of the gravel bike routes in and around Storm King State Park are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the Indian Brook Road - gravel – Sunken Mine Road loop from Cold Spring and the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center – Indian Brook Road - gravel loop from Cold Spring, both offering extensive circular tours.